The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to have resolved its leadership issues in the interim, with the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Thursday, June 25, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari. It will be recalled that the APC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis in the past several weeks, following the suspension of its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. The President who presided over the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in the State House also called for the immediate suspension of all litigations involving the party and its members, and the ratification of the party’s primary election in Edo State. Following the dissolution of the party’s NWC, a Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was set up under the leadership of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni. The meeting which was attended by several State governors and National Assembly members has been criticised. Observers have faulted the President’s action of unilaterally making a decision that should ordinarily be taken by the party’s NEC, exposing weak and ineffective internal political party structures. Furthermore, the hosting of the meeting at the State House has been questioned by many Nigerians, including the major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who see it as an abuse of privilege by President Buhari, for making use of national facilities for political party activities. Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu has responded to these criticisms by stating that the meeting was virtual and held in the Council Chambers of the State House due to the availability of facilities suited for a virtual meeting, and to observe social distancing and health protocols occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. He however, insisted that there is no law specifying where the President can hold a particular meeting.
According to Governor Buni, Chairman of the 13-member CaretakerCommittee of the APC, which was inaugurated on Monday, June 29, the Committee is set to reposition the party by developing its strategies and internal organisation, and commencing resolution of all disputes among leaders and members of the party at all levels.