Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said President Muhammadu Buhari instructed Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State to take over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recall that Governor Bello declared himself the acting National Chairman of the APC on Monday.

He made the call to the APC leaders at a meeting where he addressed State chairmen of the party.

Reacting on Channels Television on Wednesday, El-Rufa’i said, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State cannot return as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Party because Gov Bello had the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors.

According to him, Buhari ordered Buni’s removal as Chairman.

“Buni is gone, the Secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as Governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our Party.

“President Buhari ordered his removal and this has been implemented. Governor Bello has taken over and things are moving according to plan. Party will be restored, convention will take place as scheduled. 19 governors and their deputies are solidly behind this move.

Buni and his people got a court order to stop the convention but hid it,” he said.