National Working Committee of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed Mr Waziri Bulama as its acting National Secretary.
Waziri was approved alongside ex-Oyo governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi and Mr Paul Chukwuma who are to serve in the capacities of Deputy National Chairman (South) and National Auditor of the party respectively. This is based on their nomination from their regions’ leaders.
The NWC’s decision was made public following the decision of the High Court in Abuja to suspend the party’s national chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole.
Mr Danlami Senchi hinged his verdict on the earlier vote of no confidence passed on Oshiomhole by his ward in Edo State.
Meanwhile, a few hours after the pronouncement of the national chairman’s suspension, a member of NWC who is also the Vice-National Chairman of the party (North-east), Mr Salihu Mustapha, in a phone interview with our correspondent spoke about the controversy surrounding the nomination of Waziri as the party’s acting national secretary.
“I believe you guys are aware of the meeting held about a month ago on that matter, which ended without a decision. Since then there has not been a decision as to the replacement of the secretary,” Mustapha said.
Contrary to the former’s claim, the party in its statement issued on Wednesday night by its spokesperson, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, insisted on the decision to approve Waziri as the party’s national secretary by NWC.
“The decision was reached on January 14, 2020 during the meeting of NWC at the party’s national secretariat.
“Following the resignation of Mr Mai Mala Buni as the Party’s National Secretary in May 2019 prior to his election as Governor of Yobe State, the party subsequently gave notice for a replacement from the zone.
“NWC has also approved the nominations of Ajimobi as Deputy National Chairman (South) and Chukwuma as the National Auditor following nominations from the respective zones,” Issa-Onilu said.
Meanwhile, a local government chairman of the party in Ekiti State, Mr Michael Akinleye, has filed a suit challenging the the emergence of Ajimobi as the region’s (South) deputy national chairman.
He accused the Oshiomhole-led NWC of planning to impose the immediate past governor of Oyo State on them.
Messrs Akinyele and Gbenga Aluko were nominated alongside Ajimobi for the then vacant position occupied by Mr Niyi Adebayo before his appointment as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment by President Muhammadu Buhari after his (Buhari) second term election victory.
PT