Gov Buni: Lifeline for re-engineered APC

In governance, trust is the coin of the realm. Also, crisis is an inevitable part of every human organisation, no least a political parties and interest groups where conflicts are a permanent phenomenon that will never end because of friction of plural interests. What is importance is the mechanism put in place to manage the crisis. It is also worthy of note that some leaders are gifted with deft crisis-solving acumen. 

There no gainsaying that the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led interim leadership will serve as a plausible problem-solving mechanism if constructively managed to at least begin on a clean slate. This will herald the emergence of a new National Working Committee (NWC) that would succeed the dissolved Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC.

The committee, which is also the convention planning panel, is mandated to organise a convention within six months where a new NWC will emerge. The task is challenging but with Buni’s pedigree, it is achievable.

The Buni committee is representative of the six zones. Buni, a former national secretary of the party now Yobe state governor, was picked to head it because he has insight into the challenges confronting the platform. His appointment entails that for the next six months, the governor will bear on his shoulders enormous party responsibilities. 

The choice of Buni is a welcome development, as it has continued to receive commendations. His appointment also came as a huge relief because with his capacity and capability, one can comfortably say the end to the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress is in sight. Reliable sources within the political hierarchy said the decision of appointing Buni to steer the ship of the party at this crisis period has earned the president accolades because it was a credible choice made to put enemies of the party to shame.

Among other things, the committee is expected to monitor and supervise the withdrawal of court cases arising from the protracted leadership tussles filed by aggrieved antagonistic camps. The committee is mandated to ratify the Edo state governorship primary that produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as candidate. Above all, the interim managers are expected to foster reconciliation in the troubled party.

There is a South-south factor in the dominant leadership crisis that has held APC down. Oshiomhole and Victor Gaidom, and those who instigated the former national secretary are from the South-south. Other members of the committee are Osun state Governor Isiaka Oyebola (South-west), former Senate President Ken Nnamani (South-east), Stella Okorete (women representative), Governor Sani Bello (North-central), Dr. James Lalu (representing physically challenged), and Sen. Abubakar Yusuf (representing Senate).

Others are Akinyemi Olaide (House of Representatives), former governorship candidate in Bayelsa state David Lyon (South-south), Abba Ari (North-west), Prof. Tahir Mamman (North-east), Ismail Ahmed (youth representative), and former Minister of State for Federal Capital Terrirory (FCT), Senator Akpan Udoedehe, a member of the board of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), who is secretary to the committee.

For one, Governor Buni is a seasoned political party administrator, a team player, and without a doubt, his wealth of experience will be of immense benefit to the repositioning of APC. The Buni Yadi, Yobe state-born governor is a grassroots and dogged politician, who is a master in the art of political bridge-building. 

Nothing is of more value to an endeavour like track records. Buni’s track records bear eloquent testimony to his capacity and capability, qualities that have also helped his booming carrier in business. His wealth of experience in politics cuts across local, state and national at various capacities.

Buni’s meritorious services as state party chairman for four consecutive times, coupled with his reputation attracted him a position as the special adviser on political and legislative affairs to his predecessor, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

On resuming office as the national secretary in 2014, Buni within his cultivated habit of tolerance and unquestionable character displayed his political maneuvering skills and APC won with overwhelming margin at the 2015 general elections.

His exceptional principles attracted him the much confidence from party chiefians and President Muhammadu Buhari, which made the president to secure his endorsement. Buni’s unquestionable principle also led the governors of the North-east and North-west to return a resounding and unanimous vote of confidence in him.

Governor Buni is the kind of ‘Mr Fix it’ any group would want to have in the helm of affairs during battle or crisis because of his capacity to fix things, no matter how messed up. He is pious, intelligent, bold, loyal and a political maneuverer. These qualities are helping him to work wonders in his transformation of the Yobe state agenda. As a dogged politician, Buni fought and won the battle politically, including the epic battle for the soul of Nigeria in 2015 general elections that uprooted the sitting PDP government.

Buni believes one can maintain high moral standards even in politics. He does not condone gossip and hypocrisy. He expects that words should be matched with actions. This will make it difficult for quacks to frustrate the new assignment given to him by Mr President and his party. His measured responses to issues in recent times, reactions and actions to internal crisis in the party offer a great insight into his approach to the job and his meticulousness also speaks volume.

Ibrahim is director of communication and strategic planning of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC).

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