Supreme Court Okayed Buni-Led Caretaker Committee — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has argued the Supreme Court
ruling on Ondo Governorship election validated the Governor Mai
Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee
(CECPC).

It stated the ruling clarified Buni’s position as acting
chairman of the Committee is not contrary to the provision of
Section 183 of the Constitution.

The party said the Apex Court affirmed the position is held
temporarily, which is not akin to Executive office or paid
employment as envisaged by Section 183 of the Constitution.

The legality of Buni’s leadership has been subjected to
different interpretations of the recently delivered judgment of the
Apex Court on the Ondo Governorship Election in favor of Governor
Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu secured a slim 4-3 victory over his People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) at the Apex
Court.

A member of the CECPC, Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN, showed select
newsmen extract of the ruling as they affect the committee.

He pointed out the apex court held “the law is and remain that
the provisions that govern sponsorship and nomination of candidates
in an election are: Sections 31 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010
as amended.

“That there is no provision in the Electoral Act prescribing any
form for forwarding or submission of the sponsored candidate of a
political party in an election.

“Sections 177 and 182 of the CFRN which make provisions for
qualifications and disqualification of candidates for Governorship
election are exhaustive and leave no room for any addition.

“That no other Law/Act can be relied upon to disqualify a
candidate in an election save for the provisions of Section 182 of
the CFRN.

“That non-compliance with INEC directives (regulations,
guidelines or manuals) for the purpose of the election but which is
not contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act shall not of
itself be ground in an election petition.

“Paragraph 17 (a) of the First Supplementary to Regulations and
Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections cannot be relied upon as
ground to question the return of a candidate in an election.

“That sponsorship of a candidate in an election is that of the
party and not the individual Officer of the party forwarding the
name of the candidate.

“That the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party is
empowered to create, elect and appoint Committees (including the
instant CECPC) or any other committee it may deem necessary to act
in any capacity.

“On the strength of all the above position of the Supreme Court
in the instant case and other earlier decided cases cited in
support, it is our opinion that the Caretaker and Extraordinary
Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) headed by Governor Mai Mala
Buni is on firm ground to proceed with its mandate as given by the
National Executive Committee of the APC.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has argued the Supreme Court
ruling on Ondo Governorship election validated the Governor Mai
Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee
(CECPC).

It stated the ruling clarified Buni’s position as acting
chairman of the Committee is not contrary to the provision of
Section 183 of the Constitution.

The party said the Apex Court affirmed the position is held
temporarily, which is not akin to Executive office or paid
employment as envisaged by Section 183 of the Constitution.

The legality of Buni’s leadership has been subjected to
different interpretations of the recently delivered judgment of the
Apex Court on the Ondo Governorship Election in favor of Governor
Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu secured a slim 4-3 victory over his People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) at the Apex
Court.

A member of the CECPC, Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN, showed select
newsmen extract of the ruling as they affect the committee.

He pointed out the apex court held “the law is and remain that
the provisions that govern sponsorship and nomination of candidates
in an election are: Sections 31 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010
as amended.

“That there is no provision in the Electoral Act prescribing any
form for forwarding or submission of the sponsored candidate of a
political party in an election.

“Sections 177 and 182 of the CFRN which make provisions for
qualifications and disqualification of candidates for Governorship
election are exhaustive and leave no room for any addition.

“That no other Law/Act can be relied upon to disqualify a
candidate in an election save for the provisions of Section 182 of
the CFRN.

“That non-compliance with INEC directives (regulations,
guidelines or manuals) for the purpose of the election but which is
not contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act shall not of
itself be ground in an election petition.

“Paragraph 17 (a) of the First Supplementary to Regulations and
Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections cannot be relied upon as
ground to question the return of a candidate in an election.

“That sponsorship of a candidate in an election is that of the
party and not the individual Officer of the party forwarding the
name of the candidate.

“That the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party is
empowered to create, elect and appoint Committees (including the
instant CECPC) or any other committee it may deem necessary to act
in any capacity.

“On the strength of all the above position of the Supreme Court
in the instant case and other earlier decided cases cited in
support, it is our opinion that the Caretaker and Extraordinary
Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) headed by Governor Mai Mala
Buni is on firm ground to proceed with its mandate as given by the
National Executive Committee of the APC.”