Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied receiving any communication on the alleged transfer of power from the embattled All Progressives Congress (APC)’s caretaker chairman, Mai Mala Buni to the Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello.
A letter dated February 28 requesting a leave of absence, signed by Buni and addressed to Bello, copying the CECPC members and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), surfaced on Thursday.
The letter reads, “This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022. I will resume office upon my discharge from the hospital.
“In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.
“This is to enable the Committee to conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.
“I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you. Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.”
However, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, told Daily Trust in an interview that the commission is not in possession of such letter.
He said, “We did not receive any formal letter from the National Chairman of APC transferring power or duties.
“All registered political parties are obligated to comply with the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.”
