Nabena emerges APC’s acting spokesperson

TRACKING____The leadership tussle within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may after all not yet be over as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena on Sunday announced that he is assuming office in acting capacity as the party’s spokesperson.

He will be replacing Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who may have stepped aside in respect of a court order pending the determination of a case challenging his status.

Recall that a high court sitting Sokoto state had restrained Onilu from acting as the national publicity secretary of the APC.

He was dragged to the court by the then suspended National Vice Chairman, (north-west), Alhaji Inuwa Abdul-Kadir on the grounds that he was not produced by the convention of the party and therefore, cannot occupy the position reserved only for members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Article 22 of the APC constitution stipulates that an NWC member must be produced by a convention.

Nabena, in a statement yesterday said he has taken over as the acting national publicity secretary of the APC pending when Onilu will vacate the court order restraining him.

He said: “With an understanding with Onilu, l will act pending the time mallam will sort out the court matter.

“APC is a law- abiding party and as leaders of the party, we must be seen doing the right thing at all times, including respecting the order of the court.

“Mallam Onilu has begun the process of vacating the order of the Sokoto state High Court restraining him, but pending the time this will be done I will act in his position.

“Unlike the former ruling party, APC has high regard for the judiciary and we must be seen at all time practicing what we preach.”