The All Progressive Congress is facing another setback as the Independent National Electoral Commission rejected Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger as the acting chairman of APC’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

INEC rejected a letter inviting it to an emergency meeting APC’s national executive committee.

The letter, dated March 9 and signed by the commision’s secretary, Rose Oriaran Anthony, noted that the party’s failure to sign the letter of invitation contravened its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

“The commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018),” said the electoral body. 

INEC also mentioned that it required “at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office,” as provided in section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. 

On Monday, Peoples Gazette reported that Mr Bello arrived at the APC headquarters to hold an emergency meeting with some members of the caretaker committee.

The meeting was to implement President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to eject the Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, as the party’s caretaker committee’s chairman.

The rejection of Mr Bello as chairman of the caretaker committee heightens the uncertainty around the party’s national convention slated for March 26.

On Thursday, APC fixed March 17 for an emergency NEC meeting.

Since 2020, APC has been unable to hold a national convention and elect new leaders since its former leadership, led by Adams Oshiomhole, was sacked, leaving party to be led on an interim basis by the the caretaker committee.