Nabena takes over as APC acting National Publicity Secretary

Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

THE Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, said on Sunday that he has taken over the office of the National Publicity Secretary on an acting capacity.

He said the substantive occupant of the office, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, ceases to be the party’s spokesperson until the time he (Onilu) vacates a court order restraining him from duty.

A Sokoto High Court last week restrained the party from appointing or electing “Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu or any member” into its top positions except through a national convention.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Nabena, the deputy spokesman said with the understanding with Onilu, he (Nabena) would act pending the time the substantive National Publicity Secretary would sort out the court matter.

Nabena said: “APC is a law abiding party and as leaders of the party we must be seen doing the right thing at all time, including respecting the order of the court. In lieu of this, Mallam Issa-Onilu has begun the process of vacating the order of the Sokoto High Court restraining him. But pending the time this will be done, I will act in his position.

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

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary sought understanding among the APC supporters and urged the media and other stakeholders to cooperate with him in carrying out the assignment.

He assured reporters of prompt responses to enquiries and clarifications, while creating a mutual understanding between the public and the governing party.

Efforts to get Issa-Onilu’s reaction to the development failed, as our reporter’s calls were not answered.

The National Vice Chairman, Northwest of the party, Inuwa Abdulkadir, in a motion exparte dated March 13, and filed before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto High Court, sought an order of the court to restrain the APC from appointing Issa-Onilu into any substantive position.