Choas In APC: Oyegun, Amaechi Shun Convention, Tinubu Speaks

There was palpable chaos in the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the South-South zone, as they met in Benin City, on Monday, April 23. 

The zone reportedly met and adopted the immediate past governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as the zone’s choice for the party’s national chairman.

Missing from the meeting were the incumbent National Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun and immediate past governor of Rivers state and Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi.

According to Vanguard, there was tension in the meeting hall when some supporters of Chief Amaechi, said they were not at the meeting to adopt any candidate, they were however shouted down by majority of the leaders from the zone.

It is reported that though one of the delegates nominated the incumbent national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, but Oshiomhole´s nomination scaled through after a voice vote.

Meanwhile, four out of the six state chairmen of the party in the zone have distanced themselves from the endorsement of Oshiomhole.

State chairman of APC, Anslem Ojezua, announced Oshiomole’s endorsement on Sunday night, after a meeting of the leadership of the party in Edo state, presided over by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Others in attendance included minister of state for health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; former governor of the state, Prof.Osarhiemien Osunbor; deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu; deputy chief whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimekhena; deputy chief whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase; secretary to the Edo state government, Osarodion Ogie, and members of the House of Representatives in the state on APC platform.

In a related development, former Governor of Lagos state and national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed belief that the Party would hold a hitch-free convention next month.

According to him, the character and integrity of the convention committee members would help position the Party in ways that would make it build and uphold values of democracy.

In a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the APC chieftain said; “I congratulate the Chairman and members of the Congresses/Convention Committee of our party, the All Progressives Convention, just inaugurated to take charge of the conduct of the forthcoming congresses and national convention.

“Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who is the chairman of the committee, is a man reputed to be of high character and integrity.

“Working with other members of the committee, I’m persuaded that our party would conduct hitch-free congresses at all levels and the national convention.

“I also congratulate our party for embarking on the congresses against all odds. This is the way to go if we are desirous of building and upholding a truly democratic political party. Our ultimate goal should be the greater interest of the party.

“I believe that all members of our party are high in expectation that the committee would perform its assignment without fear or favour through which our party can be great again.”