Loyalists of the embattled Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, have resurfaced at the national secretariat of the party, Abuja, taking control of the affairs there.

Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, Secretary of the committee, who normally presided over the party’s affairs whenever Buni was unavailable, reportedly resumed duty at the APC office on Tuesday.

Governor Sani Bello of Niger State had taken charge of the party, with Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna saying Buni would never return as the party chairman.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to acknowledge the leadership of Bello.

But Akpanudoedehe resumed at the APC national secretariat on Tuesday afternoon.

Sources at the secretariat also said Buni who travelled abroad for medical attention was being expected to resume work.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Senator Akpanudoedehe on resumption, the Secretary said the party remained united and strong.

He said, “The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, makes this press release to clarify the events of last week and reassure the membership and stakeholders of the party, as well as the Nigerian people in general, that the Governing Party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance which she promised them.

“The CECPC therefore informs the press and the general public as follows: that the CECPC was appointed, and has always done her best, to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at inauguration by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress.

“That on the 28th day of February, 2022 the CECPC Chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day-to-day management of the APC.

“That in his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the Timetable for the 2023 General Elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus galvanizing some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the Committee/Party.

“That all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced.

“That the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted. That delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC and we shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume Office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders.

“We are grateful to INEC for her firm guidance in the entire circumstances. Meanwhile, the party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned APC National Convention.

“We hereby call on the judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported court order and allow the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free National Convention deserving of our great party, APC.”