APC South Africa Corrects Buhari On Death Of Party Leader

The All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa chapter, has said Mr Taiye Olusola Abe whose death was mourned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, was not its chairman.

The APC chapter made the clarification on Thursday after the presidency quoted Buhari as expressing “sadness” over the death of its chairman.

Buhari’s senior media adviser, Femi Adesina, had in a statement titled “President Buhari Condoles With family of APC South Africa Chairman, DR Taiye Abe”, said the president sympathized with the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

The statement said: “President Buhari recalls many meetings with the departed on visits to South Africa, and remarks that he was a man with unmistakable love for Nigeria, and deep commitment to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress.

“Dr Abe looked forward to a Nigeria that would take its rightful place among the comity of nations, and passionately believed in a resurgent country we could all be proud of. We will not relent in working towards that goal.”

But reacting through its National Publicity Secretary, Sani David, the APC chapter said Abe was not its chairman.

David identified Bola Babatunde as the chapter’s chairman and urged members of the public to disregard reports of his death.

“The APC South Africa Chapter is aware of the passing away of Mr. Taiye Olusola Abe, who was until his death a staunch pillar of the Nigerian community in South Africa.

“The APC South Africa chapter has offered their condolences and also wish to use this medium to commiserate with the family of the deceased on the loss of their loved one who died after a brief illness.

“However, the APC South Africa Chapter deems it necessary to issue this press release to state categorically that the late Mr. Taiye Olusola Abe was not its chairman.

“The bonafide Chairman of the APC South Africa is Engr. Bola Babarinde, who is still very much alive, hale and hearty.

“The APC South Africa is, therefore, calling the attention of the various media organisations who may have published the false and misleading report of the death of its chairman to kindly retract such reports. We therefore urge them let the public know that Engr. Bola Babarinde, the Chairman of the APC South Africa is not dead,” he said.