Despite leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) to victory in the just concluded Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections, most of the governors elected on the party’s platform are resolute in their demands that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the party, must resign and allow a new helmsman take charge of the affairs of the party.
Daily Independent gathered that despite claims by loyalists of Oshiomhole he has been winning elections for the party, the governors and former governors who are hell-bent on removing the embattled national chairman are of the opinion that the party is more divided than ever before under his leadership and thus the need for a change.
They insisted that Oshiomhole’s continuous stay has polarised the party, a development they fear may lead to the party’s collapse, especially when President Muhammadu Buhari who is perceived as the rallying figure in the party will not be contesting again.
One of their major arguments is that it does not speak well for the party when the home base of Oshiomhole in Edo State is a theatre of war with no peace in sight.
“Contrary to the impression being created that APC governors are pulling out of the plot to remove Oshiomhole, those who want him out are increasing daily even though his supporters too are doing all they can to thwart the plot.
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“They are claiming rather than seeking his removal, Oshiomhole should be celebrated for leading the party to victory in the just concluded elections in Kogi and Bayelsa. However, the governors and other stakeholders are saying they are not looking at the present but the future as they doubt that the party can survive beyond 2023 under Oshiomhole’s leadership.
“They are worried that post-2023, what will be the fate of the party if President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer contesting and one person is waging war against every other person in the party? They are also brought to the table the fact that the Buhari effect which is a very strong political effect that makes people vote for APC will no longer be present in 2023.
“A lot of harmonisation and dialogue is needed to hold the party together beyond 2023. A large percentage of the governors are of the opinion that he should honourably turn in his resignation because he has not shown capacity to lead the party without rancour. The president has always shown him support, but will not happen this time around.
“Many people who wanted to fund the party are staying away because of the attitude of the national chairman, and these APC stakeholders believe that this is dangerous to the party’s continued existence.
“A lot of concerned stakeholders believe Oshiomhole is unfit to lead the party based on his combative character but only a few bold ones such as Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Itse Sagay and Charles Idahosa have publicly come out to demand for his removal”, our source said.
Our correspondent, however, gathered from another source that Oshiomhole has insisted that he will not resign, saying he has devoted his time and energy into instilling discipline in the party and has been leading it to victories before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
“Oshiomhole will not resign, I can tell you that for free. Most of the state chairmen are solidly behind him and they have expressed that to President Buhari during their meeting with him few days ago. Some state chairmen appreciative of Oshiomhole’s efforts in repositioning the party have said they will never be part of the plot to remove him from office.
“Don’t also forget that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s national leader is solidly behind him. Can a key project such as the removal of a national chairman be done without Tinubu’s input? He never wanted Oyegun, and he was removed. He supported Oshiomhole, and he became the national chairman. That shows you how influential he is.
“Initially, they said they will get him out by December. We are already in the middle of December. Now they are saying January next year, we will all be alive by January and see if their desires will come to reality”, he said.
Also speaking, the Osun State chairman of the APC, Gboyega Famoodun, at the weekend said those plotting to remove Oshiomhole are doing so for selfish reasons.
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