Shagari’s Grandson Disowns APC Faction That ‘Sacked’ Buni Caretaker Committee

Bello Shagari, the grandson of Nigeria’s first democratically elected president, Shehu Shagari, has rejected his purported appointment as the North-West vice chairman of a new national convention planning committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Shagari distanced himself from the Progressives Youth Movement (PYM), an alleged APC youth group, after it announced the sacking of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as the caretaker chairman of the ruling party.

The group also claimed that it had disbanded the Buni-led caretaker/extraordinary national convention planning committee (CECPC).

It announced Mustapha Audu, the son of former Kogi State governor, as the new CECPC chairman and Shagari as a representative of the North-West, amongst others.

But reacting in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Shagari disassociated himself from the group and urged the public to disregard its alleged disbandment of the APC caretaker committee headed by Governor Buni.

His words: “I wasn’t unaware of the activities of the group or their intentions. However, I have met with the leadership of the group prior to their announcement in order to voluntarily mediate between them and the party leadership under H.E Mai Mala Buni.

“In that meeting, they welcomed the intervention and agreed to a meeting with the Buni led leadership to resolve their grievances which in my view are considerable too, and the leadership has agreed to meeting with them. As a result, the PYM agreed to change their approach and in return I agreed to be part of them to support the struggle.

“To my greatest dismay, I found myself in their midst while they violate our gentleman’s agreement and leaving me in shock. As a result, I have decided to withdraw myself until they mend their ways. It is not secret that I am among the biggest supporters of the Buni led CEPC, simply because I believe it has the best interest of young people and Nigerians at heart.

“As a youth leader, I have made my mark as a true advocate for young people and youth inclusion in Nigeria. Therefore, I share similar sentiments with PYM on youth inclusion but strongly disagree with their actions and methods thus far. And I look forward to the day they would sit for a dialogue with the party leadership for reconciliation. In fact, this is an objective I will continue to pursue.”

Shagari, who is the Managing Director of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF), further urged members of the APC to “continue to support the legally constituted Buni led CEPC and to settle their grievances in a way that will bring the party together rather than break it apart.”