The Progressives Governors Forum has hailed the Supreme Court judgement on Ondo Governorship election which put to rest the debate over the legality or otherwise of the composition and decisions of the Mai Mala Buni caretaker committee.
The apex court on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, pronounced its split decision on the Appeal and Counter Appeals before it in its ruling on the matter, with the written judgement to be delivered afterwards.
The Court released the written judgement on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the early release of the written judgement has put to rest the misinterpretations that the constitution of the committee was illegal and therefore all the decisions it took so far were null and void.
He said the apex court has correctly ruled that in line with section 13.3 of the APC Constitution, the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was constituted by the National Executive Council of the APC to act as the National Working Committee, adding that the position is consistent with the legal advice available to APC in creating the Committee.
He said: “The Supreme Court upheld the finding of the Court of Appeal that the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee ‘was set up to act on behalf of the National Executive Committee to temporarily carry out the function of the National Working Committee until new members were democratically elected.’
“The Supreme Court upheld further the ruling of the Court of Appeal that ”it is evident that the said Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed only in an acting capacity on a temporary basis to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the election of new members.” The holding of the Court of Appeal was not appealed against by the appellants i.e. Eyitayo Jegede S.A.N, Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the last election in Ondo state and the Peoples Democratic Party. According to the Supreme Court ‘by not appealing against this holding, the parties herein accept it as correct, conclusive and binding upon them.’”
He added: “Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed in acting capacity, on a temporary basis to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the election of new National Chairman. This has resolved conclusively that the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and its composition is not in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the APC.
“We congratulate all Nigerians, in particular APC members and supporters across the country. We celebrate this landmark judgement together with all APC leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari whose zeal to bequeath a democratic party built bottom up for the benefit of Nigerians. We congratulate our colleague, His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu S.A.N. for the reaffirmation of his electoral victory, which has now ended all electoral disputes around the Ondo State 2020 Governorship elections.
“We equally extend our appreciation to the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni for the commendable management of the affairs of the party, which has minimised distractions from the task of rebuilding the party. Under the Committee, the Party has continued to be strengthened and attract more Nigerians.
“Most recently, reports of the July 31, 2021, Ward Congresses from all parts of the country have demonstrated once more the commitment of party leaders and members at all levels to the process of rebuilding the APC. The congresses were highly successful. We appeal to all members and supporters at all levels to remain resolute and continue to support all initiatives of the APC Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni,” he noted.
