Amid
uncertainties over the fate of the national chairman of the All Progressives
Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, who is embroiled in running battle with Bola
Tinubu, national leader of the party, the party state chairmen on Monday passed a vote of confidence on the national
chairman.
The
Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen, during their
meeting on Monday ahead of the National Executive Council
meeting holding Tuesday morning, “unanimously
resolved” to propose a two-year tenure extension for Mr. Odigie- Oyegun-led
National Working Committee and other constituted organs of government at the
state, local and ward levels, according to their communique.
The
development means a major knock-back for interests, within the party, opposed
to the continued stay of Mr. Odigie-Oyegun.
Recently
Mr. Tinubu accused Mr. Odigie-Oyegun of indulging in detrimental actions aimed
at sabotaging his ‘presidential assignment’ of reconciling the warring
interests within the party.
In his
letter last week, Mr. Tinubu did not ask the chairman to exit, as he did in September 2016 when he slammed the
chairman for allegedly breaching the APC “democratic pledges” in “most overt and
brazen display” in the wake of the conduct of the party’s governorship
primaries in Ondo that year.
But the
state chairmen expressed support for the leadership of Mr. Odigie-Oyegun as
well as President Muhammadu Buhari, whom they urged to present himself for
another term in 2019.
Mr.
Buhari, though yet to declare his intention to run, is believed to be eyeing
the top seat in 2019.
“The
forum, after dissections and thorough appraisal of the APC-led Government,
hereby unanimously pass a vote of confidence on our dear President Muhammadu
Buhari, the National Chairman of our great party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and
other leaders of our great party for their numerous achievements, despite the
challenges so far experienced in our dear country,” read the communique.
“We
also urge Mr President to present himself for (a) second tenure come
2019.”
Mr.
Odigie-Oyegun and his officers are due for re-election or removal this year in
a national convention, having assumed the positions in 2014.
But
the state chairmen explained that the reason for proposing a tenure extension
is for stability ahead of the 2019 polls.
“In
view of the short period between the time available for the proposed party
congresses and INEC published timetable for the conduct of party primaries and
general elections, the forum resolved that the tenure of the present officers
of the party at all levels be extended by two years to avert challenges in the
party.”
“In
view of the reasons as adduced above, and the fact that the present
constitution as amended in 2014 has not been fully tested in the short life of
the party, the forum resolved that the proposed amendment of the party
constitution be suspended,” they said.
Regarding
Mr. Tinubu’s reconciliation assignment, the forum urged “support and cooperation
for the former Lagos Governor.”
“We
support His Excellency Senator Bola Tinubu-led peace and reconciliation
committee and urge the committee to expedite action in reconciling members of
the party. The forum also calls on all the members of our great party to give
maximum support to the committee to achieve sustainable peace in the party.”
According
to Nigerian Tribune, which reported sighting the hard copy of the communique,
31 chairmen, including Henry Ajomale of Mr. Tinubu’s Lagos chapter, signed.
The
latest endorsement of Mr. Odigie-Oyegun followed an earlier one by the APC
governors.
Speaking
on behalf of his colleagues, after a meeting with Mr. Buhari at the State
House on Thursday, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said
the governors were behind the party chairman.
“The
governors and majority of APC members, have confidence in our national chairman,
Chief John Oyegun. We also believe in the president by appointing Bola Tinubu,
our leader, to reconcile some aggrieved members of our party.
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