Opinion | Aliyu Habib Zaria | 10. 03. 2022
When the Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni took over the affairs of All Progressive Congress, it was in a state of chaos, torn by varying political differences and interests, maladministration and high handedness. The party was on a speed to self destruction and death.
The committee under Governor Buni commenced the process of reconciliation with visitation to founding members of the party including Chief Bisi Akande and Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who gave their blessings to the caretaker committee, expressing optimism in the capacity of Mai Mala Buni to truly rescue reposition and rejuvenate the party to have a new lease of life.
Buni constituted various committees and embarked on reconciliation of all aggrieved persons, stakeholders and groups to give all the parties a sense of fair hearing.
As a team player, he gave responsibilities to key stakeholders of the party to promote inclusiveness and sense of belonging to members to strengthen unity and enhance the repositioning of a divided APC.
Among his major achievements were the massive return of those who left the party just as, those contemplating to leave, dropped the idea and stayed back.
It is an indisputable fact that Buni’s leadership made ground breaking historical records ever recorded in Nigeria to bring in three serving governors into the party.
The hullabaloo on elongation of the Buni regime in the party, it is always punctured with a justifiable evidence. For every extension, Governor Buni brings in one serving Governor with Millions of supporters.
Governors of Ebonyi Mr Dave Umahi, Cross River state Prof. Ben Ayade and Zamfara state Bello Matawalle were great gains made by the committee to the party. They all defected along with Millions of their supporters. He has justified the extention with great gains.
Apart from the governors scores of national and state assembly law makers also defected to the APC.
Other prominent members who joined the party include the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Sen. Stella Odua, 11 Anambra state law makers, House of Reps members from Benue, Taraba etc. Again, PDP Board Of Trustee member Sen. Joy Emordi also joined the party.
To the credit of the Governor Mai Mala Buni led committee, APC Conducted successful membership registration and revalidation exercise. Today the party has over 41 Million registered members and still counting as the registration exercise remains a continuous process.
The APC under Buni promoted youth inclusiveness with the organization of Youth summit. The summit assembled representatives from across all the political wards in the country.
Similarly, the Buni led regime of the party organized women conference to mobilise youth and women for the 2023 elections. There is no doubt that APC remains the most women friendly political party in Nigeria.
Buni’s commitment to the party is unparalleled to any of the stakeholders fighting his administration.
“Our ambition is provide a machinery that would make APC to rule Nigeria beyond 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th or even 10th term of office” Buni has consistently preached.
In the spirit of wide consultations,Governor Buni has consistently engaged Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state.
As Governor Nasiru El-Rufai said Governor Mai Mala Buni, is a victim of the secretariat staff and indeed his colleagues both in the Governors’ Forum and members of the Caretaker committee.
Certainly, the gains made by Mai Mala Buni for the All Progressives Congress in the last 19 months can not and will not be washed away easily.
Until the ‘coup’ in the party, there is no official communication from President Muhammadu Buhari to the party or Governor Buni.
With just 12 months to the election such a conspiracy will only breed more troubles for the party.
The brewing tension in the party is becoming a great threat to the chances of the party in the 2023 general election. They say a stich in time, saves nine.
•Habib wrote from Abuja and can be reached on ahabib23@gmail.com
