Youth group tells court to sack Buni as APC convention chair

The Progressive Youth Movement (PYM), on Friday, prayed a Federal High Court to stop Gov. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe from parading himself as the National Chairman, Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PYM, a support group, made the call in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1577/2021 dated and filed Dec. 10 by its counsel, Emmanuel Ekwe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Buni and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit.

In an affidavit filed by the chairperson and coordinator of the group, Princess Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, PYM averred that Buni is operating without any National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC). 

The group said except the suit is granted, the Ist and 2nd defendants will constitute to act as Chairman, Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and against the interest of 1st defendant.

In the originating summons, the group prayed the court to make a declaration that having regards to the provisions of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as  amended), Buni being the current governor of Yobe cannot validly hold an execute position in the APC.

They also want the court to declare that the appropriate organ of the APC to validly fix a date and/or convene the National Convention is the Board of Trustees of the party.

PYM, therefore, urged the court to make an order setting aside the date announced by Buni for holding of the National Convention of the party.

“An order restraining the 2nd defendant (Buni) from parading himself as the National Chairman Caretaker Extra-ordinary Convention Planning committee of the 1st defendant while still holding the post of the Governor of Yobe state concurrently”

They prayed for an order empowering the Board of Trustees of the APC to convene the National Convention of the party in line with Article 17 (iv) of All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution as amended.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of filing the report.