Abdulsamad Rabiu, the influential chairman of BUA Group and a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, has declined the nomination to serve on the finance committee established by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision was communicated through a statement released by Bua Group on Friday.
The billionaire industrialist emphasized his preference for an apolitical stance, citing that neither he nor his company were consulted before his name was included in the 34-member committee list formed on Thursday by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
The statement from BUA Group clarified, “It is important to note that our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu and BUA Group have consistently adopted an apolitical stance over the years. This decision is made in light of the fact that he was not previously consulted regarding his inclusion in the list and his inability to commit time due to his demanding schedule.”
The company reiterated Rabiu’s commitment to maintaining a distance from political affiliations or roles. Meanwhile, attempts to reach the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, for comment were unsuccessful.
Despite Rabiu’s explicit rejection, the APC posted the same committee list on Friday, which included his name. The finance committee is chaired by Uguru Ofoke, with Bashir Gumel serving as the secretary. Notable members of the committee comprise Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and oil magnate A.A. Rano.
Abdulsamad Rabiu, the second richest person in Nigeria according to Forbes, shares a warm relationship with President Tinubu. However, recent public spats between Rabiu and fellow billionaire Aliko Dangote have fueled speculation about the dynamics of their rivalry.
This incident adds to previous instances of the ruling party nominating individuals to committees without prior consultation. The APC is set to inaugurate the committees, including the conflict and reconciliation committee headed by Bisi Akande, on December 6 at the national secretariat. The party is currently grappling with internal crises in states like Rivers and Bayelsa.
