Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State can never return as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reportedly said.

It would be recalled that Governor Sani Bello of Niger State Monday took over as the Caretaker Chairman of the ruling party in what many have described as fresh crisis in the APC.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored by Daily Trust, El-Rufa’i was quoted as saying Buni, who is currently out of the country, can only return as Governor of Yobe State, but not as Chairman of the ruling party.

He said Bello, the new Acting Chairman, has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 states governors.

“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,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying on Channels.