Okechukwu Explains Buhari’s Absence at APC NEC Meeting, Says He Won’t Meddle in Tinubu’s Affairs

Osita Okechukwu, former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated on Thursday that former President Muhammadu Buhari will not interfere with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Okechukwu’s comments came in response to questions regarding the absence of key party figures, including Buhari, former governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, from the APC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, saw the attendance of several important APC figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), among others.

While the meeting was well attended by high-profile members of the ruling party, Buhari, El-Rufai, Amaechi, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were noticeably absent. Addressing their absence, Okechukwu clarified that Amaechi and El-Rufai are not members of the NEC, but are instead part of the APC’s National Advisory Committee, which serves in an advisory capacity.

Speaking on Arise Television, Okechukwu emphasized Buhari’s introverted nature, stating that the former president had made it clear before leaving office that he intended to retire to Daura and take a break from political engagements. Okechukwu remarked that Buhari would not interfere in Tinubu’s governance and should not be expected to be involved in every party meeting.

“I heard stories in the news that he didn’t attend the National Executive Council meeting, El-Rufai, and my friend Amaechi did not attend. Amaechi and El-Rufai are not members of NEC, they are members of the National Advisory Committee and National Caucus, which is advisory. If somebody is very busy, he can send his contributions through WhatsApp to the National Chairman of the party,” Okechukwu said.

He continued, “So, I don’t see why we are making a mountain out of a molehill. If you know Buhari, he told us before his exit from Aso Villa that he will go to Daura and have his rest, and if pushed further, he might even go to Niger.”

Okechukwu’s statement sought to quell any speculation about Buhari’s role in the current administration and his absence from the key APC gathering, stressing that the former president’s focus now is on his personal rest and not on interfering with the workings of Tinubu’s government.