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Showing posts with label John Odigie-Oyegun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Odigie-Oyegun. Show all posts

APC Govs In Fresh Unanimous Plot To SACK National, Chairman, Oyegun, Tips Ex Colleague As Replacement

APC Govs In Fresh Unanimous Plot To SACK National, Chairman, Oyegun, Tips Ex Colleague As Replacement

APC Govs In Fresh Unanimous Plot To SACK National, Chairman, Oyegun, Tips Ex Colleague As Replacement
Blueprint - Indications emerged yesterday that the governors on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), may have concluded plans to pass a vote of no confidence on the current National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

It was also gathered that the Chief John Oyegun leadership was not ready to hold a National Convention any soon, contrary to a press statement put out last week, for fear of being sacked.

Blueprint gathered that some of the governors involved in the plot have, however, begun a serious search for possible replacements of the current NWC members of the party.


A dependable source and a senior member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who pleaded not to be named in print, said most of the APC governors, had lost confidence in their representatives and Oyegun’s general leadership style.

Already, the source said, “the current NWC had breached the party’s Constitution “which clearly states that National Convention must hold within every two years, but the reverse has been the case.

“Most of the current national officers are having one issue or the other against their governors. In Imo, Rochas Okorocha is not in the same camp with the National Organising Secretary, Osita, who is representing his state. In Kano, the current National Treasurer is a
core loyalist of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which Governor Ganduje is not comfortable with.

“The same thing in Edo, the current National Chairman cannot continue to enjoy the support of Governor Obaseki because of the former governor’s interest in the same seat.

Go to Kaduna, Governor El-Rufai has lost confidence in the APC National Vice Chairman, Inuwa

Abdulkadir, and the list goes like that. So, the current NWC members know these facts and they are just buying time.”

When reminded of the move by the party to hold National Convention in April, the chieftain who dismissed the statement, said: “It is only a tree you will tell that you are going to cut down and it would still be standing and waiting for you. The NWC members know that some party members are not happy with them, and would not risk to convoke the gathering of the party that would lead to their ousters.”

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had revealed during a visit to the party secretariat in the thick of the crisis between the NWC members and the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the party leadership was in need of
“restructuring.”

However, in a statement issued by the new APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, last week, the party said the decision to hold National Convention not later than April, this year, was one of the outcomes of the NWC’s meeting which held last week at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The statement added that the processes leading to the National Convention would begin with the congress to fill vacancies in the state party structures across the country.

“The vacancies to be filled occurred principally from political appointments, deaths and resignations. The Congress to fill the vacancies would be followed closely by another Congress to nominate delegates into the mid-term non-elective Convention of the party.

“The Congresses will be followed by the National Caucus meeting, and finalised with the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, which will consider and set the dates for the National Convention, which is expected to hold not later than April of 2017.”

On Oyegun’s possible replacement, it was gathered that the former Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, had intensified efforts to become the number one party member.

It was gathered that the former governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kazzim Afegbua, was at the party secretariat last week.

Although his mission was not known, a source said Afegbua, who was SA (media) to Oshiomhole, took time out to move round the party secretariat and some offices.

In a chat with journalists at the weekend, another chieftain of the party at the state level said: “As you know, some persons are angry with the National Chairman and these are people who are supposedly to finance the party.

“They believe that if Oyegun is removed, they can continue to finance the party and this is what some NWC members would like to see happen in the party.”
APC Govs In Fresh Unanimous Plot To SACK National, Chairman, Oyegun, Tips Ex Colleague As Replacement
Blueprint - Indications emerged yesterday that the governors on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), may have concluded plans to pass a vote of no confidence on the current National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

It was also gathered that the Chief John Oyegun leadership was not ready to hold a National Convention any soon, contrary to a press statement put out last week, for fear of being sacked.

Blueprint gathered that some of the governors involved in the plot have, however, begun a serious search for possible replacements of the current NWC members of the party.


A dependable source and a senior member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who pleaded not to be named in print, said most of the APC governors, had lost confidence in their representatives and Oyegun’s general leadership style.

Already, the source said, “the current NWC had breached the party’s Constitution “which clearly states that National Convention must hold within every two years, but the reverse has been the case.

“Most of the current national officers are having one issue or the other against their governors. In Imo, Rochas Okorocha is not in the same camp with the National Organising Secretary, Osita, who is representing his state. In Kano, the current National Treasurer is a
core loyalist of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which Governor Ganduje is not comfortable with.

“The same thing in Edo, the current National Chairman cannot continue to enjoy the support of Governor Obaseki because of the former governor’s interest in the same seat.

Go to Kaduna, Governor El-Rufai has lost confidence in the APC National Vice Chairman, Inuwa

Abdulkadir, and the list goes like that. So, the current NWC members know these facts and they are just buying time.”

When reminded of the move by the party to hold National Convention in April, the chieftain who dismissed the statement, said: “It is only a tree you will tell that you are going to cut down and it would still be standing and waiting for you. The NWC members know that some party members are not happy with them, and would not risk to convoke the gathering of the party that would lead to their ousters.”

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had revealed during a visit to the party secretariat in the thick of the crisis between the NWC members and the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the party leadership was in need of
“restructuring.”

However, in a statement issued by the new APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, last week, the party said the decision to hold National Convention not later than April, this year, was one of the outcomes of the NWC’s meeting which held last week at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The statement added that the processes leading to the National Convention would begin with the congress to fill vacancies in the state party structures across the country.

“The vacancies to be filled occurred principally from political appointments, deaths and resignations. The Congress to fill the vacancies would be followed closely by another Congress to nominate delegates into the mid-term non-elective Convention of the party.

“The Congresses will be followed by the National Caucus meeting, and finalised with the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, which will consider and set the dates for the National Convention, which is expected to hold not later than April of 2017.”

On Oyegun’s possible replacement, it was gathered that the former Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, had intensified efforts to become the number one party member.

It was gathered that the former governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kazzim Afegbua, was at the party secretariat last week.

Although his mission was not known, a source said Afegbua, who was SA (media) to Oshiomhole, took time out to move round the party secretariat and some offices.

In a chat with journalists at the weekend, another chieftain of the party at the state level said: “As you know, some persons are angry with the National Chairman and these are people who are supposedly to finance the party.

“They believe that if Oyegun is removed, they can continue to finance the party and this is what some NWC members would like to see happen in the party.”

APC is a Viable Platform to Change Nigeria – Jonathan’s ex-Aide

APC is a Viable Platform to Change Nigeria – Jonathan’s ex-Aide

APC is a Viable Platform to Change Nigeria – Jonathan’s ex-Aide
Former Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Ima Niboro, has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) is a viable platform that will ensure the desired change in the country.

He spoke at the APC National Secretariat while meeting with the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr. Niboro recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.


He was formally received by APC stalwarts in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta on December 5.

The former managing director urged politicians to remain focused and not to distract the President Muhammad Buhari-led administration, adding that it was time to work.

“This is the time to work and not time for making noise.

“It is time for anybody who is a politician to go to the grassroots and work; we should not wait till election time.

“This is the time we should start the processes to convince people that this is a viable platform and once we do that, I am sure we will be able to do very well.”

He described as a “wonderful one’’, his meeting with the APC national chairman whom he said he met last in 1992 when he was governor of Edo.

Mr. Niboro said the APC national chairman ‘’is a father-figure in the South-South”, adding that he had been following Mr. Odigie-Oyegun’s political trajectory for a long time.

He said the APC national chairman received him warmly to the party, adding that he discussed major issues with him, especially issues concerning Delta.

Earlier, the APC national chairman, while receiving Mr. Niboro, expressed satisfaction that he joined the party.

He expressed optimism that Mr. Niboro would bring his political expertise to bear in advancing the party and the country generally.

Mr. Niboro had earlier said his joining APC was to align Delta with the government at the national level and to galvanise development in the state.

“It is not a sudden switch. I have had 18 months to study the situation as it concerned my ward, local government, community and even my state.

“I have to conclude that there is time for everything.

‘’This is the time for us in Delta to link up with the Federal Government in order to bring development to our land,’’ he had said.

(NAN)
APC is a Viable Platform to Change Nigeria – Jonathan’s ex-Aide
Former Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Ima Niboro, has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) is a viable platform that will ensure the desired change in the country.

He spoke at the APC National Secretariat while meeting with the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr. Niboro recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.


He was formally received by APC stalwarts in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta on December 5.

The former managing director urged politicians to remain focused and not to distract the President Muhammad Buhari-led administration, adding that it was time to work.

“This is the time to work and not time for making noise.

“It is time for anybody who is a politician to go to the grassroots and work; we should not wait till election time.

“This is the time we should start the processes to convince people that this is a viable platform and once we do that, I am sure we will be able to do very well.”

He described as a “wonderful one’’, his meeting with the APC national chairman whom he said he met last in 1992 when he was governor of Edo.

Mr. Niboro said the APC national chairman ‘’is a father-figure in the South-South”, adding that he had been following Mr. Odigie-Oyegun’s political trajectory for a long time.

He said the APC national chairman received him warmly to the party, adding that he discussed major issues with him, especially issues concerning Delta.

Earlier, the APC national chairman, while receiving Mr. Niboro, expressed satisfaction that he joined the party.

He expressed optimism that Mr. Niboro would bring his political expertise to bear in advancing the party and the country generally.

Mr. Niboro had earlier said his joining APC was to align Delta with the government at the national level and to galvanise development in the state.

“It is not a sudden switch. I have had 18 months to study the situation as it concerned my ward, local government, community and even my state.

“I have to conclude that there is time for everything.

‘’This is the time for us in Delta to link up with the Federal Government in order to bring development to our land,’’ he had said.

(NAN)

APC Crises Fester As Spokesman Drags Party To Court

APC Crises Fester As Spokesman Drags Party To Court

APC Crises Festers As Spokesman Drags Party To Court
The numerous crises bedeviling the ruling All Progressives Congress APC seems to have no taste of end as the embattled deputy national publicity secretary of , Comrade Timi Frank, has filed a suit challenging the party over his suspension and alleged moves to expel him.

Frank, told journalists yesterday in Abuja, that he remained the acting spokesperson of the APC.


Frank said he approached the court to seek redress after the refusal of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to react to his letters, citing relevant sections of the party’s constitution on why he has right to act as the spokesperson of the party.

He said: “I have tried to resolve this crisis internally. I’ve said before I was going to seek legal redress. That step has been taken. I did everything possible to resolve the crisis. But there was no response from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. But I’ve approached the court to seek legal redress.

“If I can write two letters and there was no response, I have no other option than to take my case to the judiciary and I believe by the grace of God, I’ll be vindicated. This is the only step I can take to fight for my fundamental human right.

“Now that this matter is before the court, I still remain the acting publicity secretary of the party. If there’s anybody to be suspended from APC, it should be Oyegun not me,” he added.

Frank, in his prayers, is seeking “an order to restrain the respondents (Oyegun and the APC) by themselves, committees, officers, agents, servants, privies or howsoever called from suspending and/or otherwise taking any other disciplinary action against him as a member of the APC pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons.”

APC Crises Festers As Spokesman Drags Party To Court
The numerous crises bedeviling the ruling All Progressives Congress APC seems to have no taste of end as the embattled deputy national publicity secretary of , Comrade Timi Frank, has filed a suit challenging the party over his suspension and alleged moves to expel him.

Frank, told journalists yesterday in Abuja, that he remained the acting spokesperson of the APC.


Frank said he approached the court to seek redress after the refusal of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to react to his letters, citing relevant sections of the party’s constitution on why he has right to act as the spokesperson of the party.

He said: “I have tried to resolve this crisis internally. I’ve said before I was going to seek legal redress. That step has been taken. I did everything possible to resolve the crisis. But there was no response from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. But I’ve approached the court to seek legal redress.

“If I can write two letters and there was no response, I have no other option than to take my case to the judiciary and I believe by the grace of God, I’ll be vindicated. This is the only step I can take to fight for my fundamental human right.

“Now that this matter is before the court, I still remain the acting publicity secretary of the party. If there’s anybody to be suspended from APC, it should be Oyegun not me,” he added.

Frank, in his prayers, is seeking “an order to restrain the respondents (Oyegun and the APC) by themselves, committees, officers, agents, servants, privies or howsoever called from suspending and/or otherwise taking any other disciplinary action against him as a member of the APC pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons.”

APC CRISIS: Tinubu Evades Peace Meeting

APC CRISIS: Tinubu Evades Peace Meeting

Bola Tinubu
The Guardian - The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is taking a turn for the worse. It was learnt that a meeting scheduled for last week Tuesday to resolve the controversy trailing the September 3 governorship primaries in Ondo State won by the former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, did not hold.

A source from the party said he was not aware of any meeting scheduled for last Tuesday, but confirmed the one scheduled for today at the instance of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The Guardian learnt that the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, who is considered central to the issues, tactically evaded the last Tuesday meeting on the excuse of going abroad for a medical treatment.



Tinubu has been having a running battle with Odigie-Oyegun over the Ondo primaries and had openly called for his removal in a published statement.
Akeredolu, who allegedly got the blessings of some APC leaders led by Odigie-Oyegun and some ministers, won the primaries against Mr. Segun Abraham, the alleged preferred candidate of Tinubu. The situation resulted in the defection of Mr. Olusola Oke, one of the APC governorship aspirants, to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to pursue his ambition.

As the crisis deepens, there is a rumour that the Abuja caucus is supporting Akeredolu while Tinubu, the Lagos chapter and some stakeholders in the South West zone are backing Oke, a development some people have described as anti-party activity perpetrated by the national leader.

It was learnt that whether the reconciliation meeting was to have been held last week or will hold today, Tinubu is not favourably disposed to attending any meeting with Odigie-Oyegun.

An influential party leader in the South West said: “I am not aware of the last Tuesday meeting but I knew that the national chairman called for a meeting for November 8 and the invitation was extended to some leaders including Chief Bisi Akande and Tinubu. What the agenda is, I don’t know but obviously the national leader is currently in Chicago and may definitely not attend the meeting.”

When The Guardian sought the opinions of some South West APC leaders on the issue, many of them said the crisis was beyond what they would want to get themselves involved in.

One of those approached, however, said : “Did you want me to tell you that some people are involved in anti-party activity when I don’t have any proof? There is a crisis, yes, but it has to do with the leadership of the party. They will resolve it.”

When also asked if Tinubu would return from his medical trip before the election, he retorted, “I am neither Tinubu nor Odigie-Oyegun. You can direct your question to them. I don’t want to get involved.”

Yet another South West member of the party said: “I am not from Lagos or Ondo. It is true I am close to the national leader but that doesn’t mean anything because I belong to the Oyo chapter of APC.”

The Guardian learnt that Tinubu deliberately travelled abroad to avoid going to Ondo to campaign for Akeredolu. “For instance, it would look abnormal if President Muhammadu Buhari goes to Ondo to campaign for Akeredolu and Tinubu fails to follow him. The best bet for him is to stay out of the country until the Ondo election is conducted.”

It was also alleged that some leaders of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere are sympathetic to Tinubu over his plight in the APC and by so doing have decided to give their blessings to Oke, whom the national leader is allegedly supporting.

But the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin dismissed the insinuation, saying he was not aware of such sympathy.

“I don’t have any interest in the Ondo governorship election outside the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede was shortchanged and his mandate transferred to Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim under questionable circumstances.”
“That development speaks volume about the kind of shenanigans Nigerians should anticipate in the conduct of the election. I doubt if there is going to be a level playing field for all the candidates to test their popularity before the electorate.”

Odumakin who said he spoke for himself, further denied having any sympathy for the APC. “I don’t belong to their party and Afenifere is not into partisan politics,” he said.

Bola Tinubu
The Guardian - The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is taking a turn for the worse. It was learnt that a meeting scheduled for last week Tuesday to resolve the controversy trailing the September 3 governorship primaries in Ondo State won by the former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, did not hold.

A source from the party said he was not aware of any meeting scheduled for last Tuesday, but confirmed the one scheduled for today at the instance of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The Guardian learnt that the National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, who is considered central to the issues, tactically evaded the last Tuesday meeting on the excuse of going abroad for a medical treatment.



Tinubu has been having a running battle with Odigie-Oyegun over the Ondo primaries and had openly called for his removal in a published statement.
Akeredolu, who allegedly got the blessings of some APC leaders led by Odigie-Oyegun and some ministers, won the primaries against Mr. Segun Abraham, the alleged preferred candidate of Tinubu. The situation resulted in the defection of Mr. Olusola Oke, one of the APC governorship aspirants, to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to pursue his ambition.

As the crisis deepens, there is a rumour that the Abuja caucus is supporting Akeredolu while Tinubu, the Lagos chapter and some stakeholders in the South West zone are backing Oke, a development some people have described as anti-party activity perpetrated by the national leader.

It was learnt that whether the reconciliation meeting was to have been held last week or will hold today, Tinubu is not favourably disposed to attending any meeting with Odigie-Oyegun.

An influential party leader in the South West said: “I am not aware of the last Tuesday meeting but I knew that the national chairman called for a meeting for November 8 and the invitation was extended to some leaders including Chief Bisi Akande and Tinubu. What the agenda is, I don’t know but obviously the national leader is currently in Chicago and may definitely not attend the meeting.”

When The Guardian sought the opinions of some South West APC leaders on the issue, many of them said the crisis was beyond what they would want to get themselves involved in.

One of those approached, however, said : “Did you want me to tell you that some people are involved in anti-party activity when I don’t have any proof? There is a crisis, yes, but it has to do with the leadership of the party. They will resolve it.”

When also asked if Tinubu would return from his medical trip before the election, he retorted, “I am neither Tinubu nor Odigie-Oyegun. You can direct your question to them. I don’t want to get involved.”

Yet another South West member of the party said: “I am not from Lagos or Ondo. It is true I am close to the national leader but that doesn’t mean anything because I belong to the Oyo chapter of APC.”

The Guardian learnt that Tinubu deliberately travelled abroad to avoid going to Ondo to campaign for Akeredolu. “For instance, it would look abnormal if President Muhammadu Buhari goes to Ondo to campaign for Akeredolu and Tinubu fails to follow him. The best bet for him is to stay out of the country until the Ondo election is conducted.”

It was also alleged that some leaders of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere are sympathetic to Tinubu over his plight in the APC and by so doing have decided to give their blessings to Oke, whom the national leader is allegedly supporting.

But the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin dismissed the insinuation, saying he was not aware of such sympathy.

“I don’t have any interest in the Ondo governorship election outside the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede was shortchanged and his mandate transferred to Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim under questionable circumstances.”
“That development speaks volume about the kind of shenanigans Nigerians should anticipate in the conduct of the election. I doubt if there is going to be a level playing field for all the candidates to test their popularity before the electorate.”

Odumakin who said he spoke for himself, further denied having any sympathy for the APC. “I don’t belong to their party and Afenifere is not into partisan politics,” he said.

2019: APC Takes Critical Step To Checkmate Looming Massive Exit Of Tinubus; Strikes Secret Deal With Sheriff's PDP faction

2019: APC Takes Critical Step To Checkmate Looming Massive Exit Of Tinubus; Strikes Secret Deal With Sheriff's PDP faction

2019: APC Takes Critical Step To Checkmate Looming Massive Exit Of Tinubus; Strikes Secret Deal With Sheriff's PDP faction
Apparently, to fortify the party over the looming exit of the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC reportedly begun has begun moves to woo some members of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Some former members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change, according to Punch Newspaper, might cross over to the APC in what appears to be a realignment of political forces.

A Further check revealed that the defunct ANPP and CPC had become power brokers in the ruling party, a source in the APC told our source.


It was learnt that the discreet move to woo members of the Sheriff-led faction of the PDP was being spearheaded by some of the APC chieftains, who were formerly in the ANPP and the CPC.

Findings showed that some ex-members of the ANPP in the PDP were still sympathetic to President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the presidential candidate of the defunct party in 2003 and 2007.

It was learnt that the plan by the APC to poach some PDP members was hatched when the ruling party realised that it could no longer guarantee the loyalty of some of its members.

The APC currently has three power blocs, including a group of former governors of the PDP, who defected to the APC before the 2015 elections.

It was gathered that prominent members of this group include the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Another power bloc is led by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which comprises former members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.

The third power bloc consists members of the defunct ANPP and the CPC.

Besides the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, other prominent members of the party, who were formerly in the ANPP, include the National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal; the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The power bloc was said to have played a prominent role in the party’s governorship primary in Ondo State, where a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), defeated the preferred candidate of Tinubu, Mr. Segun Abraham.

Following Ondo debacle, a top APC chief confirmed that some members of the APC, including Tinubu, were on their way out of the party, adding that they would be replaced by others.

The APC chieftain stated, “The Ondo State primary has shown that the party is not one. We are reaching out to some PDP members, particularly those in the Sheriff-led faction. Some of them are sympathic to our ideas.”

Attempts to get a reaction from the leadership of the APC were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone numbers of the party’s National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun and Buni indicated that they were switched off.

The first set of calls was made between 3:15pm and 3:23pm while the subsequent ones were made at 7:29pm. Responses to text messages sent to them were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

2019: APC Takes Critical Step To Checkmate Looming Massive Exit Of Tinubus; Strikes Secret Deal With Sheriff's PDP faction
Apparently, to fortify the party over the looming exit of the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC reportedly begun has begun moves to woo some members of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Some former members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change, according to Punch Newspaper, might cross over to the APC in what appears to be a realignment of political forces.

A Further check revealed that the defunct ANPP and CPC had become power brokers in the ruling party, a source in the APC told our source.


It was learnt that the discreet move to woo members of the Sheriff-led faction of the PDP was being spearheaded by some of the APC chieftains, who were formerly in the ANPP and the CPC.

Findings showed that some ex-members of the ANPP in the PDP were still sympathetic to President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the presidential candidate of the defunct party in 2003 and 2007.

It was learnt that the plan by the APC to poach some PDP members was hatched when the ruling party realised that it could no longer guarantee the loyalty of some of its members.

The APC currently has three power blocs, including a group of former governors of the PDP, who defected to the APC before the 2015 elections.

It was gathered that prominent members of this group include the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Another power bloc is led by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which comprises former members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.

The third power bloc consists members of the defunct ANPP and the CPC.

Besides the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, other prominent members of the party, who were formerly in the ANPP, include the National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal; the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The power bloc was said to have played a prominent role in the party’s governorship primary in Ondo State, where a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), defeated the preferred candidate of Tinubu, Mr. Segun Abraham.

Following Ondo debacle, a top APC chief confirmed that some members of the APC, including Tinubu, were on their way out of the party, adding that they would be replaced by others.

The APC chieftain stated, “The Ondo State primary has shown that the party is not one. We are reaching out to some PDP members, particularly those in the Sheriff-led faction. Some of them are sympathic to our ideas.”

Attempts to get a reaction from the leadership of the APC were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone numbers of the party’s National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun and Buni indicated that they were switched off.

The first set of calls was made between 3:15pm and 3:23pm while the subsequent ones were made at 7:29pm. Responses to text messages sent to them were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

BREAKING: APC Sets To EXPEL National Spokesman, Timi Frank Over Anti-Oyegun Comments

BREAKING: APC Sets To EXPEL National Spokesman, Timi Frank Over Anti-Oyegun Comments

Timi Frank
The Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, may be expelled soon from the party following the recommendations by a committee set up to discipline him.

Frank has openly criticized the leadership style of John Oyegun, national chairman of the party, and called for his resignation

On October 26, when the disciplinary committee was inaugurated, Solomon Edoja, its chairman, promised that due process would be followed.


“We will soon invite him to state his own side of the story. We are also going to invite the petitioner because the legal procedure is that you have to hear from both sides before you can reach the decision,” he had said.

“We are going to subject our recommendation to the zonal executive committee for ratification. But, be that as it may, the APC wants to tell the world that the party is supreme, our constitution is supreme, and if there are infractions, we have to follow due process to attain whatever petition that comes before us.”

Frank, who described the panel as the “handiwork of my national chairman”, said he might not appear before it.

“I will only appear before a committee that will be constituted by respected party members because such a committee will enable me lay my complain about the party and I believe it will do what is right and take my complains to the next level. But how can I appear before a committee that will take its report to Oyegun to decide my fate,” he had said.

“If by tomorrow the committee says then invited me and I refuse to appear and so, they found me guilty, I am ready to face the battle.”

The panel has submitted its report, and in the recommendations signed by all the five members of the committee, the party leadership was advised to suspend Frank immediately, and commence proceedings of expelling him from the party.

“Since the committee is not a father Christmas, it has no choice than to rely on the prima facie evidence tendered upon the petitioner, consequent upon which, the committee hereby recommends as follows;” the report read.

“That Timi Frank be suspended from the party forthwith in line with article 21D (f).

“That zonal executive committee should recommend to the NEC for the expulsion of Timi Frank from the party in line with article 21 D (h) (ii) and (iii).”

The report was submitted to Eta Hilliard, south-south vice-chairman of APC.


Timi Frank
The Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, may be expelled soon from the party following the recommendations by a committee set up to discipline him.

Frank has openly criticized the leadership style of John Oyegun, national chairman of the party, and called for his resignation

On October 26, when the disciplinary committee was inaugurated, Solomon Edoja, its chairman, promised that due process would be followed.


“We will soon invite him to state his own side of the story. We are also going to invite the petitioner because the legal procedure is that you have to hear from both sides before you can reach the decision,” he had said.

“We are going to subject our recommendation to the zonal executive committee for ratification. But, be that as it may, the APC wants to tell the world that the party is supreme, our constitution is supreme, and if there are infractions, we have to follow due process to attain whatever petition that comes before us.”

Frank, who described the panel as the “handiwork of my national chairman”, said he might not appear before it.

“I will only appear before a committee that will be constituted by respected party members because such a committee will enable me lay my complain about the party and I believe it will do what is right and take my complains to the next level. But how can I appear before a committee that will take its report to Oyegun to decide my fate,” he had said.

“If by tomorrow the committee says then invited me and I refuse to appear and so, they found me guilty, I am ready to face the battle.”

The panel has submitted its report, and in the recommendations signed by all the five members of the committee, the party leadership was advised to suspend Frank immediately, and commence proceedings of expelling him from the party.

“Since the committee is not a father Christmas, it has no choice than to rely on the prima facie evidence tendered upon the petitioner, consequent upon which, the committee hereby recommends as follows;” the report read.

“That Timi Frank be suspended from the party forthwith in line with article 21D (f).

“That zonal executive committee should recommend to the NEC for the expulsion of Timi Frank from the party in line with article 21 D (h) (ii) and (iii).”

The report was submitted to Eta Hilliard, south-south vice-chairman of APC.


Fresh Rumbles In APC As Buhari ENDORSES Oshiomhole To Replace Oyegun As National Chairman

Fresh Rumbles In APC As Buhari ENDORSES Oshiomhole To Replace Oyegun As National Chairman

buhari oyegun oshiomhole
The Authority - As the lingering in­ternal crisis rocking the ruling All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) threatens to splinter the party, the top hierarchy of the party has decided to sacrifice its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

This tactical move to ease out the APC’s National Chair­man is seen as an interim meas­ure to stabilize the ruling par­ty and save it from imploding.

It was learned from impeccable sources according to The Authority that the outgoing Edo State gov­ernor, Comrade Adams Osh­iomhole, whose second-term as governor ends on the 12th November, 2016, has been pen­ciled down to replace embattled Oyegun as the party’s national chairman.


To firm up this ‘coup’ against Oyegun, which has the presidency’s backing, The AU­THORITY also scooped that President Muhammadu Buha­ri has agreed to a “face saving” ambassadorial position for the out-of-favour Oyegun.

Party Sources confirmed that, “there is no going back on the decision”. Rightly or wrong­ly, Oyegun who guided the APC to victory over the PDP has been accused of “killing” the party.

The choice of Comrade Os­hiomhole stems from the fact that, like Oyegun, he is from the South-South geo-political zone - with the clincher that he has a solid labour background.

By a convenient coincidence for the APC, Oshiomhole’s ten­ure as governor will be ending in a matter of weeks.

Several party sources with knowledge about this devel­opment that The AUTHORI­TY sounded out hope that Os­hiomhole will be able to build the APC into a formidable “pop­ulist” party, a “ party in every sense of the word.”

As a specific diversionary tactic and to create the condi­tion necessary for the scripted scenario to play out, Oyegun is expected to ‘resign’ - a quirky, cloned template of PDP succes­sion intrigues then.
It will be recalled that fol­lowing the recent APC gov­ernorship primary election in Ondo State that produced a candidate who is not Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s choice, Tinu­bu openly called for Oyegun’s resignation, a position Oyegun dismissed out of hand.

According to a miffed Oye­gun, “Yes, I agree that the nature of the statement was a bit harsh. The methods of getting rid of a national chairman, if that is what I will call it, are spelt out in the constitution; they don’t take place on the pages of news­papers.”

Although Tinubu and Oye­gun shook hands and exchanged pleasantries during Buhari’s re­cent book launch in Abuja, their relationship appeared to have been irreparably damaged.

Apparently tipping the scale against Oyegun, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar re­cently expressed a public posi­tion which apparently backed Tinubu.

The Deputy National Pub­licity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, also recently ac­cused Oyegun of mismanaging the party, alleging that a lot of things have gone wrong in the APC because of Oyegun’s lead­ership style.

Frank, who described Oye­gun as a political liability, said what APC needs is a leader who will add political value to the party. He also slammed Oyegun, saying he does not understand the constitution of the APC.

According to Frank, “This is the reason why I will continue to fight to ensure that the APC takes Nigeria to the right place but as long as Odigie-Oyegun remains as national chairman, we cannot achieve anything. Now that I am calling for his resignation, some may think it is personal, but it is not.

“We need a national chair­man that will add political value to our party, we need a national chairman that can lead the party to victory during elections and we do not need a national chair­man who will clearly be a polit­ical liability to this party as we head towards elections.
“We need a national chair­man that will understand and follow due process in carrying out functions within the party. We need a chairman who un­derstands the constitution in words and in deed.”

But cogent posers are al­ready emerging that could af­fect the smoothness of this dodgy succession plot. The key question here is - would Oye­gun who has the reputation of a plucky fighter agree to resign?

Already, the ruling party has unforeseen challenges re­placing its national publicity secretary Lai Mohammed. The AUTHORITY gathered that the plan to replace him with former sports minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahai, was aborted by forces opposed to the emerging strangle-hold of Senate President Bukola Sara­ki on the party. Bolaji Abdula­hi is a protégé of Saraki.

From what is apparently playing out, the APC is thread­ing the now opposition PDP’s path. It will be recalled that Chief Solomon Lar, who guid­ed the party to victory, was sim­ilarly replaced by Chief Barna­bas Gemade.

Many have not forgotten that the PDP has not recovered from that ugly beginning.

The AUTHORITY also gathered that Oyegun is ready for a vicious battle against Ambassador Babagana King­ibe, who is presently working as an “Executive Assistant” to the controversial and powerful Chief of Staff to President Bu­hari, Alhaji Abba Kyari .

Kingibe was running mate to Chief MKO Abiola, the ac­claimed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election.

He is widely perceived to have been one of the key insid­er forces that aided the trade-off of Abiola’s acclaimed and historic Muslim-Muslim tick­et victory.

Kingibe is campaigning for the position of Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations.

For Odigie-Oyegun to leave office, the APC NWC must bow to the demands of several par­ty stakeholders and groups to organise an emergency Nation­al Executive Council (NEC) meeting or a mini convention, where all the permutations on the enthronement of Oshiom­hole and Abdulahi as well as other vacant NWC positions may be ratified.

For example, some non-NWC members of the NEC had last week issued a two-week ul­timatum to the Odigie-Oyegun led NWC to convene an emer­gency NEC meeting to discuss the many issues rocking the unity of the APC.

The group in a commu­nique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja and signed by Hon. Omolaoye O. Akinto­la, National Ex-Officio, South West and Coordinator, not­ed, with regret, the inability of the NWC under Odigie-Oye­gun to convene the quarterly NEC meeting as contained in the party’s constitution.

The APC constitution states clearly that only the NEC or party convention can ratify the choice of any national officer.

buhari oyegun oshiomhole
The Authority - As the lingering in­ternal crisis rocking the ruling All Pro­gressives Congress (APC) threatens to splinter the party, the top hierarchy of the party has decided to sacrifice its national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

This tactical move to ease out the APC’s National Chair­man is seen as an interim meas­ure to stabilize the ruling par­ty and save it from imploding.

It was learned from impeccable sources according to The Authority that the outgoing Edo State gov­ernor, Comrade Adams Osh­iomhole, whose second-term as governor ends on the 12th November, 2016, has been pen­ciled down to replace embattled Oyegun as the party’s national chairman.


To firm up this ‘coup’ against Oyegun, which has the presidency’s backing, The AU­THORITY also scooped that President Muhammadu Buha­ri has agreed to a “face saving” ambassadorial position for the out-of-favour Oyegun.

Party Sources confirmed that, “there is no going back on the decision”. Rightly or wrong­ly, Oyegun who guided the APC to victory over the PDP has been accused of “killing” the party.

The choice of Comrade Os­hiomhole stems from the fact that, like Oyegun, he is from the South-South geo-political zone - with the clincher that he has a solid labour background.

By a convenient coincidence for the APC, Oshiomhole’s ten­ure as governor will be ending in a matter of weeks.

Several party sources with knowledge about this devel­opment that The AUTHORI­TY sounded out hope that Os­hiomhole will be able to build the APC into a formidable “pop­ulist” party, a “ party in every sense of the word.”

As a specific diversionary tactic and to create the condi­tion necessary for the scripted scenario to play out, Oyegun is expected to ‘resign’ - a quirky, cloned template of PDP succes­sion intrigues then.
It will be recalled that fol­lowing the recent APC gov­ernorship primary election in Ondo State that produced a candidate who is not Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s choice, Tinu­bu openly called for Oyegun’s resignation, a position Oyegun dismissed out of hand.

According to a miffed Oye­gun, “Yes, I agree that the nature of the statement was a bit harsh. The methods of getting rid of a national chairman, if that is what I will call it, are spelt out in the constitution; they don’t take place on the pages of news­papers.”

Although Tinubu and Oye­gun shook hands and exchanged pleasantries during Buhari’s re­cent book launch in Abuja, their relationship appeared to have been irreparably damaged.

Apparently tipping the scale against Oyegun, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar re­cently expressed a public posi­tion which apparently backed Tinubu.

The Deputy National Pub­licity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, also recently ac­cused Oyegun of mismanaging the party, alleging that a lot of things have gone wrong in the APC because of Oyegun’s lead­ership style.

Frank, who described Oye­gun as a political liability, said what APC needs is a leader who will add political value to the party. He also slammed Oyegun, saying he does not understand the constitution of the APC.

According to Frank, “This is the reason why I will continue to fight to ensure that the APC takes Nigeria to the right place but as long as Odigie-Oyegun remains as national chairman, we cannot achieve anything. Now that I am calling for his resignation, some may think it is personal, but it is not.

“We need a national chair­man that will add political value to our party, we need a national chairman that can lead the party to victory during elections and we do not need a national chair­man who will clearly be a polit­ical liability to this party as we head towards elections.
“We need a national chair­man that will understand and follow due process in carrying out functions within the party. We need a chairman who un­derstands the constitution in words and in deed.”

But cogent posers are al­ready emerging that could af­fect the smoothness of this dodgy succession plot. The key question here is - would Oye­gun who has the reputation of a plucky fighter agree to resign?

Already, the ruling party has unforeseen challenges re­placing its national publicity secretary Lai Mohammed. The AUTHORITY gathered that the plan to replace him with former sports minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahai, was aborted by forces opposed to the emerging strangle-hold of Senate President Bukola Sara­ki on the party. Bolaji Abdula­hi is a protégé of Saraki.

From what is apparently playing out, the APC is thread­ing the now opposition PDP’s path. It will be recalled that Chief Solomon Lar, who guid­ed the party to victory, was sim­ilarly replaced by Chief Barna­bas Gemade.

Many have not forgotten that the PDP has not recovered from that ugly beginning.

The AUTHORITY also gathered that Oyegun is ready for a vicious battle against Ambassador Babagana King­ibe, who is presently working as an “Executive Assistant” to the controversial and powerful Chief of Staff to President Bu­hari, Alhaji Abba Kyari .

Kingibe was running mate to Chief MKO Abiola, the ac­claimed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election.

He is widely perceived to have been one of the key insid­er forces that aided the trade-off of Abiola’s acclaimed and historic Muslim-Muslim tick­et victory.

Kingibe is campaigning for the position of Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations.

For Odigie-Oyegun to leave office, the APC NWC must bow to the demands of several par­ty stakeholders and groups to organise an emergency Nation­al Executive Council (NEC) meeting or a mini convention, where all the permutations on the enthronement of Oshiom­hole and Abdulahi as well as other vacant NWC positions may be ratified.

For example, some non-NWC members of the NEC had last week issued a two-week ul­timatum to the Odigie-Oyegun led NWC to convene an emer­gency NEC meeting to discuss the many issues rocking the unity of the APC.

The group in a commu­nique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja and signed by Hon. Omolaoye O. Akinto­la, National Ex-Officio, South West and Coordinator, not­ed, with regret, the inability of the NWC under Odigie-Oye­gun to convene the quarterly NEC meeting as contained in the party’s constitution.

The APC constitution states clearly that only the NEC or party convention can ratify the choice of any national officer.

Our Party'll Collapse By January UNLESS .... - APC Spokesman

Our Party'll Collapse By January UNLESS .... - APC Spokesman

Our Party'll Collapse By January UNLESS .... - APC Spokesman
The acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank on Tuesday warned that unless President Muhammadu Buhari takes urgent action, the ruling party would collapse by January 2017.

He gave this warning in Abuja while appraising recent developments in the party, revealing that several realignments were presently going on in the country which could make the APC cease to exist totally by 2019.

“You are aware that there are several realignments going on now in the country and my party has only now and January 2017 to put its house in order.


“If we don’t harmonize all the contending interests, some of us would be exploring new avenues to pursue our various political agenda,” he said.

Frank said the only way to rescue the party would be for the president to intervene and support calls for the resignation of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as the national chairman of the APC.

He reminded the President of how Chief Odigie-Oyegun as chairman of ANPP frustrated him (Buhari) out of the party, forcing him to go and form the defunct Congress for Progressive Change CPC.

“The same thing is now happening in the APC and Mr President has to act fast because that same thing that drove him out of the ANPP then is also about to drive some people out of the APC because of Oyegun,” he stated.

Frank who claimed he was speaking the mind of most members and other stakeholders of the party, asserted that “at the appropriate time, more leaders of the party would speak out”.

He said he would soon write formally to the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the leadership of the National Assembly to seek their audience in other to adequately brief them on the circumstances that have necessitated the calls for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation.

“I will also consult the governors (of our party) to make them understand the danger inherent in their silence in the face of the wave of crisis that has enveloped the party.

“This is like a rescue mission I am about to embark on. This struggle to rescue our party is not personal. It is because I love this party so much and I am a very loyal party man and I believe in this party.

“I am also going to pay a visit to our former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; I will also visit Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the past national chairmen that made the merger to work. I am going to pay visit to my own former national chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, of the then New PDP, Chief Bisi Akande of the then ACN, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu of the then ANPP, Chief Tony Momoh of defunct CPC and Gov Rochas Okorocha who led a section of the APGA to make the APC. This visit is one that I will start anytime soon,” he said.

The acting spokesman of the party explained that he decided to first visit Baraje “since he was the chairman of the New PDP that led us to join the APC”.

Our Party'll Collapse By January UNLESS .... - APC Spokesman
The acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank on Tuesday warned that unless President Muhammadu Buhari takes urgent action, the ruling party would collapse by January 2017.

He gave this warning in Abuja while appraising recent developments in the party, revealing that several realignments were presently going on in the country which could make the APC cease to exist totally by 2019.

“You are aware that there are several realignments going on now in the country and my party has only now and January 2017 to put its house in order.


“If we don’t harmonize all the contending interests, some of us would be exploring new avenues to pursue our various political agenda,” he said.

Frank said the only way to rescue the party would be for the president to intervene and support calls for the resignation of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as the national chairman of the APC.

He reminded the President of how Chief Odigie-Oyegun as chairman of ANPP frustrated him (Buhari) out of the party, forcing him to go and form the defunct Congress for Progressive Change CPC.

“The same thing is now happening in the APC and Mr President has to act fast because that same thing that drove him out of the ANPP then is also about to drive some people out of the APC because of Oyegun,” he stated.

Frank who claimed he was speaking the mind of most members and other stakeholders of the party, asserted that “at the appropriate time, more leaders of the party would speak out”.

He said he would soon write formally to the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the leadership of the National Assembly to seek their audience in other to adequately brief them on the circumstances that have necessitated the calls for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation.

“I will also consult the governors (of our party) to make them understand the danger inherent in their silence in the face of the wave of crisis that has enveloped the party.

“This is like a rescue mission I am about to embark on. This struggle to rescue our party is not personal. It is because I love this party so much and I am a very loyal party man and I believe in this party.

“I am also going to pay a visit to our former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; I will also visit Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the past national chairmen that made the merger to work. I am going to pay visit to my own former national chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, of the then New PDP, Chief Bisi Akande of the then ACN, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu of the then ANPP, Chief Tony Momoh of defunct CPC and Gov Rochas Okorocha who led a section of the APGA to make the APC. This visit is one that I will start anytime soon,” he said.

The acting spokesman of the party explained that he decided to first visit Baraje “since he was the chairman of the New PDP that led us to join the APC”.

2019: Tinubu, Atiku Realigns, Form New Party To Tackle, APC, Buhari - Report

2019: Tinubu, Atiku Realigns, Form New Party To Tackle, APC, Buhari - Report

ATIKU AND TINUBU
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar are reportedly considering floating a new party ahead of the 2019 general elections, Daily Trust reports.

The report quoted a source as saying both Tinubu and Atiku are unhappy with the presidency but do not want to come out openly on it.

Tinubu’s anger with the Presidency started after the running mate to the party’s late governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, James Faleke, was subsequently replaced with the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello.


Other issues according to the source include leadership crises at the National level and the Ondo election that saw the emergence of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as the party’s candidate in the upcoming governorship election in the state.

Following the emergence of Akeredolu, Tinubu had demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for allegedly overruling the party’s National Working Committee, NWC’s recommendation asking for the cancellation and conduct of a fresh primary poll in the state.

According to the source, “Tinubu is having a serious realignment with Atiku on the possibility of pulling out with their teeming supporters if President Muhammadu Buhari continues to look the other way.

“While Tinubu expected to win Kogi, Atiku wanted to be the chairman of the BoT, but the presidency frustrated their efforts.”

Read Full Report from Daily Trust

ATIKU AND TINUBU
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar are reportedly considering floating a new party ahead of the 2019 general elections, Daily Trust reports.

The report quoted a source as saying both Tinubu and Atiku are unhappy with the presidency but do not want to come out openly on it.

Tinubu’s anger with the Presidency started after the running mate to the party’s late governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, James Faleke, was subsequently replaced with the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello.


Other issues according to the source include leadership crises at the National level and the Ondo election that saw the emergence of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as the party’s candidate in the upcoming governorship election in the state.

Following the emergence of Akeredolu, Tinubu had demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for allegedly overruling the party’s National Working Committee, NWC’s recommendation asking for the cancellation and conduct of a fresh primary poll in the state.

According to the source, “Tinubu is having a serious realignment with Atiku on the possibility of pulling out with their teeming supporters if President Muhammadu Buhari continues to look the other way.

“While Tinubu expected to win Kogi, Atiku wanted to be the chairman of the BoT, but the presidency frustrated their efforts.”

Read Full Report from Daily Trust

Ondo APC Brouhaha: More Trouble As NWC Members Queue Behind Tinubu Against Oyegun, Demand His RESIGNATION

Ondo APC Brouhaha: More Trouble As NWC Members Queue Behind Tinubu Against Oyegun, Demand His RESIGNATION

APC John Odigie-Oyegun
The Daily Sun - If all things go as planned, some members of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) will demand will demand the resignation of National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The demand is against his alleged role in the party’s Ondo governorship primary.

The planned move may take place during the party’s NWC meeting  slated for today or Wednesday, against the backdrop of minutes of its emergency meetings on September 20 and 22,  as well as other documents detailing  how the APC leadership settled for Chief Rotimi Akeredolu as the party’s governorship candidate.


APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank confirmed that some NWC members will demand Oyegun’s resignation during the meeting over the handling of Ondo primaries.

“I can confirm to you that some NWC members will revolt against the chairman; they will demand he quits his office. I also know that some NWC members who are on his side will reject the demand”, he told Daily Sun.

Frank also issued a statement asking Oyegun to publish minutes of the NWC meeting where the decision to back Akeredolu was taken.

“Chief Oyegun should tell the world why he brushed aside the suggestion of National Youth Leader, Hon. Dasuki Jalo, who suggested that the party should submit an interim name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pending the time a political solution will be find to the matter. But, Oyegun and few others who benefitted from the corruption that produced Akeredolu as governorship candidate of our party did not see wisdom in what the national youth leader said.

“Chief Oyegun’s few responses to the many of allegations raised by our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu can never hold water. For example, the chairman and his cohorts contradicted themselves when Oyegun said there was no voting at all but he forgot that National Vice chairman, Hilliard Eta told newsmen that there was voting, which was in agreement with the position of the party’s South-west National Vice Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, who also said that the NWC members actually voted on the Ondo State Governorship Appeal Panel Report.

“This was what Oyegun said in his statement: “Also, voting on the issue became unnecessary and never took place in view of the NWC’s rejection of the Appeal Committee’s report.”

However, minutes of the two meetings obtained by Daily Sun, as well as other documents on the primary showed who and who voted for and against the submission for of Akeredolu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the flag-bearer of the party.

The first NWC emergency meeting was attended by 15 members. They were Oyegun, his deputy (South), Segun Oni, his deputy (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, Zonal vice chairmen- Emmanuel Eneukwu, Prince Hilliard Etagbo Eta, Pius Akinyelure and Mallam Zakari Idde.

Others included National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa, National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, National Auditor, George Moghalu, National Financial Secretary, Tajudeen Olaotan Bello, National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Dasuki Jalingo and Deputy National Secretary, Ohi Ngofa.

The duo of Dr. Muniz Banire and Hajiya Tijjani Aliyu, National Legal Adviser and National Women Leader, respectively, were absent.

The party officials spoke extensively on the contentious delegate lists and resolved that “in order to establish the truth regarding the delegates list and, in line with the suggestion made by the National Vice Chairman (South South), the meeting resolved that the Izunaso should circulate the two contentious delegates list to the NWC members the following day.

“This will enable members ascertain the level of disparity and whether it has the tendency  of substantially affecting the outcome of the primary…”

The members anchored their position on the ground that “the Appeal Committee failed to invite the National Secretariat  to authenticate or otherwise disclaim the source of the disputed  delegates list as the custodian.

“The Appeal Committee failed to invite the Chairman or members of the Ondo State governorship primary election committee to clarify on the allegation of manipulation on the accreditation process. It rather chose to rely on unsubstantiated evidence (s) of probably procured witnesses as basis for the nullification of the primary.

“The NWC observed a serious contradiction in the Appeal Committee’s report in respect of the number of the accredited delegates. Whereas the primary Election Committee’s report indicated 2,774 delegates were accredited , the appeal committee’s report erroneously recorded it as those who voted in the election, thereby creating false impression of over voting in the exercise.

An official of the party who declined to be named said the decision to endorse Akeredolu as the party’s candidate was not foisted on the party by the leadership.

He submitted that the resolution of the NWC and the advice of the National Legal Adviser was instrumental to the decision taken by the leadership.

Part of Banire’s recommendation indicated that, “the test used by the Appeal Committee is never used in the determination of issues. As stated by the committee, there were also positive reports that equally believed the credible nature of the process endears us to the populace. The reason why such perceptive positions are never applied in this situation leaves much to be desired.

“Finally, the rule of election is that once there is substantial compliance, the election must be upheld. This much the Appeal Committee agreed with but, suddenly, somersaulted for reasons best known to it.

“ The delegates’ list, from my opening submission, is valid and emanated from proper custody. The process of conducting the election was robust but the Appeal Committee relied on other extraneous issues which are spurious.”

APC John Odigie-Oyegun
The Daily Sun - If all things go as planned, some members of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) will demand will demand the resignation of National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The demand is against his alleged role in the party’s Ondo governorship primary.

The planned move may take place during the party’s NWC meeting  slated for today or Wednesday, against the backdrop of minutes of its emergency meetings on September 20 and 22,  as well as other documents detailing  how the APC leadership settled for Chief Rotimi Akeredolu as the party’s governorship candidate.


APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank confirmed that some NWC members will demand Oyegun’s resignation during the meeting over the handling of Ondo primaries.

“I can confirm to you that some NWC members will revolt against the chairman; they will demand he quits his office. I also know that some NWC members who are on his side will reject the demand”, he told Daily Sun.

Frank also issued a statement asking Oyegun to publish minutes of the NWC meeting where the decision to back Akeredolu was taken.

“Chief Oyegun should tell the world why he brushed aside the suggestion of National Youth Leader, Hon. Dasuki Jalo, who suggested that the party should submit an interim name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pending the time a political solution will be find to the matter. But, Oyegun and few others who benefitted from the corruption that produced Akeredolu as governorship candidate of our party did not see wisdom in what the national youth leader said.

“Chief Oyegun’s few responses to the many of allegations raised by our leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu can never hold water. For example, the chairman and his cohorts contradicted themselves when Oyegun said there was no voting at all but he forgot that National Vice chairman, Hilliard Eta told newsmen that there was voting, which was in agreement with the position of the party’s South-west National Vice Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, who also said that the NWC members actually voted on the Ondo State Governorship Appeal Panel Report.

“This was what Oyegun said in his statement: “Also, voting on the issue became unnecessary and never took place in view of the NWC’s rejection of the Appeal Committee’s report.”

However, minutes of the two meetings obtained by Daily Sun, as well as other documents on the primary showed who and who voted for and against the submission for of Akeredolu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the flag-bearer of the party.

The first NWC emergency meeting was attended by 15 members. They were Oyegun, his deputy (South), Segun Oni, his deputy (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, Zonal vice chairmen- Emmanuel Eneukwu, Prince Hilliard Etagbo Eta, Pius Akinyelure and Mallam Zakari Idde.

Others included National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa, National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, National Auditor, George Moghalu, National Financial Secretary, Tajudeen Olaotan Bello, National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Dasuki Jalingo and Deputy National Secretary, Ohi Ngofa.

The duo of Dr. Muniz Banire and Hajiya Tijjani Aliyu, National Legal Adviser and National Women Leader, respectively, were absent.

The party officials spoke extensively on the contentious delegate lists and resolved that “in order to establish the truth regarding the delegates list and, in line with the suggestion made by the National Vice Chairman (South South), the meeting resolved that the Izunaso should circulate the two contentious delegates list to the NWC members the following day.

“This will enable members ascertain the level of disparity and whether it has the tendency  of substantially affecting the outcome of the primary…”

The members anchored their position on the ground that “the Appeal Committee failed to invite the National Secretariat  to authenticate or otherwise disclaim the source of the disputed  delegates list as the custodian.

“The Appeal Committee failed to invite the Chairman or members of the Ondo State governorship primary election committee to clarify on the allegation of manipulation on the accreditation process. It rather chose to rely on unsubstantiated evidence (s) of probably procured witnesses as basis for the nullification of the primary.

“The NWC observed a serious contradiction in the Appeal Committee’s report in respect of the number of the accredited delegates. Whereas the primary Election Committee’s report indicated 2,774 delegates were accredited , the appeal committee’s report erroneously recorded it as those who voted in the election, thereby creating false impression of over voting in the exercise.

An official of the party who declined to be named said the decision to endorse Akeredolu as the party’s candidate was not foisted on the party by the leadership.

He submitted that the resolution of the NWC and the advice of the National Legal Adviser was instrumental to the decision taken by the leadership.

Part of Banire’s recommendation indicated that, “the test used by the Appeal Committee is never used in the determination of issues. As stated by the committee, there were also positive reports that equally believed the credible nature of the process endears us to the populace. The reason why such perceptive positions are never applied in this situation leaves much to be desired.

“Finally, the rule of election is that once there is substantial compliance, the election must be upheld. This much the Appeal Committee agreed with but, suddenly, somersaulted for reasons best known to it.

“ The delegates’ list, from my opening submission, is valid and emanated from proper custody. The process of conducting the election was robust but the Appeal Committee relied on other extraneous issues which are spurious.”

APC Crisis Messy As Party Begins Move To EXPEL Tinubu

APC Crisis Messy As Party Begins Move To EXPEL Tinubu

Bola tinubu
The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC took a new dimension as fresh report according to Punch Newspaper suggest that the embattled national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some of his political allies  may be expelled if found guilty after investigation bothered on anti-party activities labeled against them.

The Punch Newspaper accounted that the APC may have initiated moves to investigate allegations of anti-party activities against the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some of the party members believed to be loyal to him.

This is happening as the party appears to be in a dilemma over how to deal with the party leader over suspicion that he is backing the Alliance for Democracy in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election.


Tinubu is believed to be supporting Chief Olusola Oke, one of the governorship aspirants in the party’s primary in Ondo State who had recently defected to the Alliance for Democracy, along with his supporters.

The considered the purported support for an opposition party by a leader of the APC ahead of the coming Ondo governorship election as constituting anti-party infractions that should not be overlooked, impeccable sources within the APC confided in our source

Tinubu’s godson, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, was edged out in the primary won by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is believed to have enjoyed the backing of the party’s national leadership.

The delegates’ list for the Ondo APC primary was said to have been doctored to favour Akeredolu and this allegedly infuriated Tinubu.

As such, Tinubu asked the APC’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to resign over his alleged role in the primary in which his (Tinubu’s) candidate had come second.

In the statement in which the party’s national leader made the allegations, Tinubu said Odigie-Oyegun had “dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead” by derailing from the path of progressives.

The post-primary election crisis of the Ondo APC took a different dimension when Oke defected to AD in a move believed to have been instructed by Tinubu.

There are proofs that Tinubu was backing the AD governorship candidate. They added that the party leader had released funds for Oke’s campaign, APC source confirmed to our source

The Ondo State chapter of the APC confirmed that some members of the party were under investigation over alleged anti-party activities.

The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, said specifically that some members loyal to Tinubu had been found to be involved in some activities against the party in the recent time.

Abayomi, who said expulsion from the party was the penalty for any anti-party activity, said the national body of the party would investigate and later come out with an action against any national leader involved in such activity.

He said, “We have yet to confirm if our National Leader is involved in anti-party activities but we will investigate; we are very sure that some of his boys here are involved in anti-party activities but when it is time, appropriate action would be meted to them.”

“Anti-party action is a serious offence in any political party and in our own party, total expulsion is the penalty.”

But a chieftain of the APC loyal to Tinubu, Mr. Bola Ilori,  said APC members who supported Rotimi Akeredolu’s emergence as the party’s candidate were those involved in anti-party activities.

Ilori, who is a loyalist to Dr. Segun Abraham, alleged that the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was also involved in anti-party activities by allegedly using veto power to over-rule the recommendation of the Electoral Appeal Committee and submitted Akeredolu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, “ Whoever is promoting or supporting Akeredolu to be the candidate of the APC is involving in anti-party (activities) because the NWC voted five to six not to submit the name of Akeredolu, and the National Chairman went ahead and submitted his (Akeredolu) name. So, what they have done is anti-party (action) itself.

“What they have done is anti-party (action) that has never happened in the history of the party.”

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the APC national leadership is aware of Tinubu’s alleged anti-party moves in Ondo State but is very reluctant to sanction him.

This, according to party sources, has to do with Tinubu’s influence in the party and his tight grip on the party structure in the South-West.

Meanwhile, APC members, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, have explained that the ruling party’s constitution prescribes sanctions against anyone found to be engaged in anti-party misdemeanor.

The Publicity Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the APC, Mr. Sulaiman Buhari, said “A panel will be set up to investigate the matter. After the investigation, it is the panel that will recommend the punishment but it is stipulated in the Constitution. The person can be suspended or expelled from the party, given the (nature of the) offence. The situation also applies to chieftains of the party.”

The Cross River State Chairman of the APC, Mr. John Ochala, simply said, “Suspension,” when asked the specific sanction the party had reserved for those engaged in anti-party activities.

In Rivers State, the Publicity Sectary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said any political party that is worth its salt must sanction any action by any member that is detrimental to it.

The Edo State chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, said, “It (anti-party activity) can range from suspension to expulsion, depending on the circumstances of the case. There are no party chieftains; in the APC, everybody is a member.”

Bola tinubu
The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC took a new dimension as fresh report according to Punch Newspaper suggest that the embattled national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some of his political allies  may be expelled if found guilty after investigation bothered on anti-party activities labeled against them.

The Punch Newspaper accounted that the APC may have initiated moves to investigate allegations of anti-party activities against the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some of the party members believed to be loyal to him.

This is happening as the party appears to be in a dilemma over how to deal with the party leader over suspicion that he is backing the Alliance for Democracy in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election.


Tinubu is believed to be supporting Chief Olusola Oke, one of the governorship aspirants in the party’s primary in Ondo State who had recently defected to the Alliance for Democracy, along with his supporters.

The considered the purported support for an opposition party by a leader of the APC ahead of the coming Ondo governorship election as constituting anti-party infractions that should not be overlooked, impeccable sources within the APC confided in our source

Tinubu’s godson, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, was edged out in the primary won by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is believed to have enjoyed the backing of the party’s national leadership.

The delegates’ list for the Ondo APC primary was said to have been doctored to favour Akeredolu and this allegedly infuriated Tinubu.

As such, Tinubu asked the APC’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to resign over his alleged role in the primary in which his (Tinubu’s) candidate had come second.

In the statement in which the party’s national leader made the allegations, Tinubu said Odigie-Oyegun had “dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead” by derailing from the path of progressives.

The post-primary election crisis of the Ondo APC took a different dimension when Oke defected to AD in a move believed to have been instructed by Tinubu.

There are proofs that Tinubu was backing the AD governorship candidate. They added that the party leader had released funds for Oke’s campaign, APC source confirmed to our source

The Ondo State chapter of the APC confirmed that some members of the party were under investigation over alleged anti-party activities.

The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, said specifically that some members loyal to Tinubu had been found to be involved in some activities against the party in the recent time.

Abayomi, who said expulsion from the party was the penalty for any anti-party activity, said the national body of the party would investigate and later come out with an action against any national leader involved in such activity.

He said, “We have yet to confirm if our National Leader is involved in anti-party activities but we will investigate; we are very sure that some of his boys here are involved in anti-party activities but when it is time, appropriate action would be meted to them.”

“Anti-party action is a serious offence in any political party and in our own party, total expulsion is the penalty.”

But a chieftain of the APC loyal to Tinubu, Mr. Bola Ilori,  said APC members who supported Rotimi Akeredolu’s emergence as the party’s candidate were those involved in anti-party activities.

Ilori, who is a loyalist to Dr. Segun Abraham, alleged that the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was also involved in anti-party activities by allegedly using veto power to over-rule the recommendation of the Electoral Appeal Committee and submitted Akeredolu’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, “ Whoever is promoting or supporting Akeredolu to be the candidate of the APC is involving in anti-party (activities) because the NWC voted five to six not to submit the name of Akeredolu, and the National Chairman went ahead and submitted his (Akeredolu) name. So, what they have done is anti-party (action) itself.

“What they have done is anti-party (action) that has never happened in the history of the party.”

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the APC national leadership is aware of Tinubu’s alleged anti-party moves in Ondo State but is very reluctant to sanction him.

This, according to party sources, has to do with Tinubu’s influence in the party and his tight grip on the party structure in the South-West.

Meanwhile, APC members, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, have explained that the ruling party’s constitution prescribes sanctions against anyone found to be engaged in anti-party misdemeanor.

The Publicity Secretary of the Kwara State chapter of the APC, Mr. Sulaiman Buhari, said “A panel will be set up to investigate the matter. After the investigation, it is the panel that will recommend the punishment but it is stipulated in the Constitution. The person can be suspended or expelled from the party, given the (nature of the) offence. The situation also applies to chieftains of the party.”

The Cross River State Chairman of the APC, Mr. John Ochala, simply said, “Suspension,” when asked the specific sanction the party had reserved for those engaged in anti-party activities.

In Rivers State, the Publicity Sectary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said any political party that is worth its salt must sanction any action by any member that is detrimental to it.

The Edo State chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, said, “It (anti-party activity) can range from suspension to expulsion, depending on the circumstances of the case. There are no party chieftains; in the APC, everybody is a member.”

At Last Oyegun Fully Replies Tinubu Over Ondo Election Allegations One By One - See Full Text Press Release

At Last Oyegun Fully Replies Tinubu Over Ondo Election Allegations One By One - See Full Text Press Release

Oyegun and tinubu
THE FACTS – 2016 ONDO STATE APC GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PRIMARIES

The outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2016 Ondo State Governorship Primary Election has led to disagreements among some Party stakeholders in the state and at the national level. The ripples from the controversy over the election have unfortunately dragged our great party on to the front pages of newspapers for the wrong reasons.

Recently, the media office of Bola Tinubu falsely and recklessly accused me of corruption, rigging the outcome of the 2016 Ondo State APC governorship election primaries and overruling the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) “vote” on the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report.


In view of the misinformation and false reports that have been fed to the media and that have pervaded the public space, there is need to set the records straight. Below are factual responses to the salient points and allegations made by the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I overruled the NWC’s vote of “six against five” in favour of cancelling the primary election results and conducting another primary.

FACT

According to the minutes of the 18th emergency meeting of the APC NWC held from Monday 19th September 2016 to Thursday 22nd September, 2016 at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, there was absolutely no meeting which I chaired that voted in the manner alleged. Clearly, the report on which the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted was a figment of someone’s wild imagination.

On Thursday 22nd September, 2016 being the final day for submission of candidate by Political Parties, the NWC discussed the possibility of voting having finished deliberation on the2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report because members in support of cancelling the Primary results were still strident in their position.

A member of the NWC however drew the attention of the meeting to its previous decision in which the report of the Primary Election Committee was adopted while the Appeal Committee was set aside. The implication of this decision he reasoned was that a decision to submit the name of the winner of the primary election was already taken unless the NWC will now wish to reconsider its earlier decision.

I agreed with this and ruled that the previous decision of the NWC be upheld.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement also alleged that the names of “over 150 valid delegates were excised to make room for an equal number of impostors”.

FACT

The Ondo State approved delegates list was compiled in strict compliance with the Party’s constitution. Only qualified delegates were included in the list. Moreso, none of the aspirants or the Appeal Committee has submitted to NWC a list of delegates who were not qualified to be included in the delegates list but were listed as delegates or presumed qualified delegates who were not included in the delegates list used for the Primary.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I used a “prayer interlude” which I initiated to “secretly excuse” myself from the NWC meeting to submit the name of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the Party.

FACT

The allegation is high fiction and an insult to the intelligence and sensibility of the respected NWC members present at the meeting. We do not and have never engaged in prayer interludes/sessions outside the usual opening and closing prayers. The prayer that is being referred to must be the closing prayer for the meeting.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement accused me of bribery and corruption over the outcome of the Ondo State APC governorship election primaries.“Oyegun has dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead. It is an awful parent who suffocates his own child for the sake of a few naira.” The statement issued by media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu read.

FACT

This reckless and baseless corruption allegation levelled against me is unfortunate and an insult to my person and my hard-earned reputation which I have strongly maintained. Nobody has the kind of money that can buy my conscience or make me do injury to an innocent man. In all the primaries conducted under my watch as National Chairman, I have strived to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible process. The 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election was not an exception. There must be internal democracy in the Party and our constitution must be respected by all.

APPEAL COMMITTEE REPORT

The Party’s NWC decision to reject the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report was taken on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in executive session after careful and exhaustive deliberations. The minutes and rejection were confirmed by the NWC on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

The NWC in its four-point resolution rejected the Appeal Committee’s recommendation on the grounds that the report was fundamentally and fatally flawed. The NWC observed that the Appeal Committee contradicted itself when it admitted in its report, “In making the above recommendations one is not unmindful of the fact that there may have been substantial compliance in the conduct of the exercise.” but still proceeded to recommend the nullification of the Primary election.

The NWC in its four-point resolution faulted the failure of the Appeal Committee to invite the National Secretariat as the custodian, to authenticate or otherwise the source of the disputed delegates list. Also, the Appeal Committee did not invite the Chairman or members of the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Committee to clarify issues relating to the allegation of manipulation of the accreditation process. The Appeal Committee rather relied totally on unsubstantiated evidence(s) in the petitions it received to recommend the nullification of the Primary. This is against the principle of natural justice and fair hearing.

The NWC equally observed a serious contradiction in the Appeal Committee’s report in respect of the number of the accredited delegates. Whereas the Primary Election Committee’s report indicated that 2,774 delegates were accredited, the Appeal Committee’s report erroneously recorded it as those who voted in the election, thereby acting under the false impression that there was over voting in the exercise. The actual total number of votes cast was 2,754, as clearly recorded in the Primary Election Committee’s report.

The issue of fresh primaries did not arise as NWC had already rejected the Appeal Committee’s report in view of the stated flaws and upheld the election. In any case, any fresh primary was already time barred. By the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all governorship primaries and issues related ended on September 19, 2016.

Also, voting on the issue became unnecessary and never took place in view of the NWC’s rejection of the Appeal Committee’s report.

The foregoing are facts backed by the minutes approved by all NWC members that attended the meetings held in respect of 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report.

It needs to be stated categorically that the NWC is confident that the Chairman of the Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Abubakar Badaru, Executive Governor of Jigawa State conducted a credible and exemplary exercise. We indeed commend the Governor and his team for their transparency and the free and fair manner the primaries was conducted.

Going forward, I appeal very passionately to leaders and members of the Party at all levels to explore internal dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing their perceived grievances instead of resorting to the media to vent their spleen.

There are enormous challenges in delivering on the Party’s 2015 election promises to Nigerians. On the immediate horizon is the task of winning the governorship election in Ondo state. We cannot afford to be distracted by the present contentions.

I wish to assure Party members that despite the media attention that has been generated by the disagreements in the aftermath of the 2016 Ondo State Governorship Primary Election, the Party is focused on the task ahead and we urge our Party leaders and teeming supporters to also remain calm. The Party has already commenced wide consultations with stakeholders with a view to resolving the political differences that still exist. Hurling brickbats cannot help the cause of the party in any way.

The APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of winning the Ondo state governorship election to save the people of the state from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyegun and tinubu
THE FACTS – 2016 ONDO STATE APC GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PRIMARIES

The outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2016 Ondo State Governorship Primary Election has led to disagreements among some Party stakeholders in the state and at the national level. The ripples from the controversy over the election have unfortunately dragged our great party on to the front pages of newspapers for the wrong reasons.

Recently, the media office of Bola Tinubu falsely and recklessly accused me of corruption, rigging the outcome of the 2016 Ondo State APC governorship election primaries and overruling the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) “vote” on the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report.


In view of the misinformation and false reports that have been fed to the media and that have pervaded the public space, there is need to set the records straight. Below are factual responses to the salient points and allegations made by the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I overruled the NWC’s vote of “six against five” in favour of cancelling the primary election results and conducting another primary.

FACT

According to the minutes of the 18th emergency meeting of the APC NWC held from Monday 19th September 2016 to Thursday 22nd September, 2016 at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, there was absolutely no meeting which I chaired that voted in the manner alleged. Clearly, the report on which the media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted was a figment of someone’s wild imagination.

On Thursday 22nd September, 2016 being the final day for submission of candidate by Political Parties, the NWC discussed the possibility of voting having finished deliberation on the2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report because members in support of cancelling the Primary results were still strident in their position.

A member of the NWC however drew the attention of the meeting to its previous decision in which the report of the Primary Election Committee was adopted while the Appeal Committee was set aside. The implication of this decision he reasoned was that a decision to submit the name of the winner of the primary election was already taken unless the NWC will now wish to reconsider its earlier decision.

I agreed with this and ruled that the previous decision of the NWC be upheld.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement also alleged that the names of “over 150 valid delegates were excised to make room for an equal number of impostors”.

FACT

The Ondo State approved delegates list was compiled in strict compliance with the Party’s constitution. Only qualified delegates were included in the list. Moreso, none of the aspirants or the Appeal Committee has submitted to NWC a list of delegates who were not qualified to be included in the delegates list but were listed as delegates or presumed qualified delegates who were not included in the delegates list used for the Primary.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement alleged that I used a “prayer interlude” which I initiated to “secretly excuse” myself from the NWC meeting to submit the name of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the Party.

FACT

The allegation is high fiction and an insult to the intelligence and sensibility of the respected NWC members present at the meeting. We do not and have never engaged in prayer interludes/sessions outside the usual opening and closing prayers. The prayer that is being referred to must be the closing prayer for the meeting.

ALLEGATION

The media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its statement accused me of bribery and corruption over the outcome of the Ondo State APC governorship election primaries.“Oyegun has dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead. It is an awful parent who suffocates his own child for the sake of a few naira.” The statement issued by media office of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu read.

FACT

This reckless and baseless corruption allegation levelled against me is unfortunate and an insult to my person and my hard-earned reputation which I have strongly maintained. Nobody has the kind of money that can buy my conscience or make me do injury to an innocent man. In all the primaries conducted under my watch as National Chairman, I have strived to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible process. The 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election was not an exception. There must be internal democracy in the Party and our constitution must be respected by all.

APPEAL COMMITTEE REPORT

The Party’s NWC decision to reject the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report was taken on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in executive session after careful and exhaustive deliberations. The minutes and rejection were confirmed by the NWC on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

The NWC in its four-point resolution rejected the Appeal Committee’s recommendation on the grounds that the report was fundamentally and fatally flawed. The NWC observed that the Appeal Committee contradicted itself when it admitted in its report, “In making the above recommendations one is not unmindful of the fact that there may have been substantial compliance in the conduct of the exercise.” but still proceeded to recommend the nullification of the Primary election.

The NWC in its four-point resolution faulted the failure of the Appeal Committee to invite the National Secretariat as the custodian, to authenticate or otherwise the source of the disputed delegates list. Also, the Appeal Committee did not invite the Chairman or members of the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Committee to clarify issues relating to the allegation of manipulation of the accreditation process. The Appeal Committee rather relied totally on unsubstantiated evidence(s) in the petitions it received to recommend the nullification of the Primary. This is against the principle of natural justice and fair hearing.

The NWC equally observed a serious contradiction in the Appeal Committee’s report in respect of the number of the accredited delegates. Whereas the Primary Election Committee’s report indicated that 2,774 delegates were accredited, the Appeal Committee’s report erroneously recorded it as those who voted in the election, thereby acting under the false impression that there was over voting in the exercise. The actual total number of votes cast was 2,754, as clearly recorded in the Primary Election Committee’s report.

The issue of fresh primaries did not arise as NWC had already rejected the Appeal Committee’s report in view of the stated flaws and upheld the election. In any case, any fresh primary was already time barred. By the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all governorship primaries and issues related ended on September 19, 2016.

Also, voting on the issue became unnecessary and never took place in view of the NWC’s rejection of the Appeal Committee’s report.

The foregoing are facts backed by the minutes approved by all NWC members that attended the meetings held in respect of 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report.

It needs to be stated categorically that the NWC is confident that the Chairman of the Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Abubakar Badaru, Executive Governor of Jigawa State conducted a credible and exemplary exercise. We indeed commend the Governor and his team for their transparency and the free and fair manner the primaries was conducted.

Going forward, I appeal very passionately to leaders and members of the Party at all levels to explore internal dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing their perceived grievances instead of resorting to the media to vent their spleen.

There are enormous challenges in delivering on the Party’s 2015 election promises to Nigerians. On the immediate horizon is the task of winning the governorship election in Ondo state. We cannot afford to be distracted by the present contentions.

I wish to assure Party members that despite the media attention that has been generated by the disagreements in the aftermath of the 2016 Ondo State Governorship Primary Election, the Party is focused on the task ahead and we urge our Party leaders and teeming supporters to also remain calm. The Party has already commenced wide consultations with stakeholders with a view to resolving the political differences that still exist. Hurling brickbats cannot help the cause of the party in any way.

The APC national leadership remains united and solidly committed to the task of winning the Ondo state governorship election to save the people of the state from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


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