APC shops for new National Secretary

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is searching for a new National Secretary following election of the immediate occupant, Mai Mala Buni as Yobe Governor-elect.

The party is however looking towards the north east where Buni hails from for his successor.

The Nation gathered Waziri Bulama is highly favoured to emerge as new National Secretary, having contested the position during the last electoral convention of the party, which produced the current leadership.

Bulama, who served as the Deputy Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the last elections, stepped down to pave the way for Buni to emerge unopposed after an agreement by leaders of the party from the north east.


A highly placed official of the party told The Nation that the north east is expected to fill the vacancy, adding the leaders are expected to meet and come up with their choice for the position.

“The position is zoned to the north east and we expect them to meet very soon and come up with their choice.

“It is that choice they will submit to the NWC as the National Secretary”.

The Nation also gathered that the battle for the position is raging between Borno and Yobe state with APC leaders from Borno insisting it is their turn to produce the National Secretary.

The party source said the National Working Committee of the party would have decided on the issue but for the absence of the National Chairman.

“The absence of the National Chairman is what is delaying the announcement since the NWC would have taken decision on the issue of National Secretary this week.

“The Borno State governor, Alhaji Kassim Shettima had written Oshiomhole recommending Bulama, just as the stakeholders from the North East had endorsed him.

“Former members of the defunct CPC are also in support of the candidature of Bulama. For them it would give them sense of belonging in the party leadership.

“Also of importance was that Bulama’s administrative competence was highly exhibited during the Presidential Campaign as the Deputy Director General (Coordination).

“In fact, one of the leaders of the party was said to be so impressed with Waziri’s deep intellect, his eloquent marketing of Mr. President and APC programmes all through the period of the campaigns, especially in live television programmes and debates, that he remarked, ‘this is our next national secretary’,” the source informed.

The Nation learnt however that former Presidential Liason Officer for National Assembly to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Kashim Imam, who also contested the position during the party convention is also interested in the job.