A letter showing that Governor Mai Buni of Yobe State, chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) caretaker committee handed over the party to his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Bello, has surfaced online.

Mr Bello made a dramatic entry into the national headquarters of the ruling party on Monday with his vehicle parked at the parking slot reserved for the national chairman.

This prompted speculations that Mr Buni who is currently on medical leave outside the country has been relieved of his duties in the party. The narrative gained momentum on Wednesday when Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State narrated how President Muhammadu Buhari gave his approval for the ousting of the APC scribe.

Mr El-rufai said the Yobe State governor was booted out for securing a court order, by proxy, to prevent the party from going ahead with his March 26 exercise and extend his stay in office.

But a letter obtained by The Nation Newspapers showed the Yobe State helmsman transmitted power to his Niger State counterpart before departing.

The letter was copied to all members of the caretaker committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022,” Mr Buni wrote. “In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.

“This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.

“I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you.

“Please do accept the assurances of my best regards,” the epistle, dated February 28, 2022, added.