The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has engaged senior lawyers to vacate the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja halting the March 26 National Convention of the ruling party.

The Secretary of the APC CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, made this known on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on developments within the ruling party.

“The party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned APC National Convention. We hereby call on the judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported court order and allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free National Convention deserving of our great party, APC,” Akpanudoedehe said.

The caretaker committee chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, had been accused of using his cohorts to obtain an injunction to stop the March 26 National Convention.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna also confirmed the discovery of the court injunction and accused Buni of hiding the injunction from the party.

Buni had denied the allegation.

In the face of division and crisis within the APC, the National Secretary said the governing party “is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance which she promised them.”

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Akpanudoedehe said since the CECPC was appointed, it has always done her best to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at inauguration by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC.

He noted that on the 28th day of February, 2022 the CECPC Chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.

“That in his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the Timetable for the 2023 General Elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus galvanizing some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the Committee/Party.

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“That all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced.

“That the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted.

“That delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC and we shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume Office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders.

“We are grateful to INEC for her firm guidance in the entire circumstances,” he said.

The Star