Tinubu’s fight with Oyegun divides the APC (L-R Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, John Odigie-Oyegun)
There is chaos in the All Progressives Congress since the call for
the removal of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress,
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju
Bola Tinubu. The call has left members of the National Working Committee
divided over who to side in the controversy.
Trouble started on Sunday after Tinubu accused the national
chairman Oyegun of allegedly working against the ideals of the APC in
the handling of its governorship primary in Ondo State. Tinubu’s
candidate had lost in the ondo governorship primary which saw Rotimi
Akeredolu emerge as the APC governorship candidate in Ondo State.
Tinubu accused Oyegun of overriding the decision of the National
Working Committee of the APC who had voted in favour of a fresh primary
in Ondo State but Odigie-Oyegun overruled the NWC and submitted the name
of Rotimi Akeredolu to the Independent National Elect0ral Commission as
the governorship candidate of the APC.
“If Tinubu is to choose between John (Odigie-) Oyegun and
progress toward a better Nigeria, the choice has already been made. For
those who care about Nigeria and its chance for a better tomorrow, now
is the time to stand against this brewing evil before it grows to
encompass all we have built and all we hold dear.” Tinubu said in a scathing communiqué from his media office.
The controversy now is that members of the NWC, especially those
from the South-West, are backing Tinubu, whom they argued was at the
verge of being disgraced as his candidate had lost out.
According to a report by Punch, Tinubu is also said to be receiving
support from some party chiefs, who were said to have felt they had
been sidelined in the party under Odigie-Oyegun’s leadership.
A member of the party’s leadership, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said, “I was one of those who cautioned our chairman about the handling of this Ondo palaver.
“He (Odigie-Oyegun) was the one who said we should put the
recommendations of the panel to vote, which we did. He asked us to pray
but used the opportunity to leave the hall.
“I personally think he is dancing to the tune of some individuals around Mr. President. He should simply step down.”
Asked to comment on the division within the party’s NWC, he said, “Our last meeting made that very clear.
“Six out of the 11 of us present at the meeting voted in favour
of a re-run of the Ondo primary; five voted against. Yet, the choice of
five was upheld. Is that democracy? You tell me.”
Another member of the NWC said Odigie-Oyegun should not be crucified because he made “an honest mistake here and there. I think this situation is not yet beyond redemption.”
However, some NWC members are not happy with Tinubu. They have
complained that his influence on the party is becoming too personal as
he has turned the party into a family affair. “Let’s be honest, the
APC does not belong to any individual. It is a give and take thing.
Tinubu asked for and got the VP slot; he has members of his political
family in the cabinet and even heads of government agencies. What else
does he want?” he said.
Nigerians are expecting more controversy in the APC as many believe
Tinubu will not be a sore loser as he has practically lost out as a
political heavyweight in making decisions for the party.
Oyegun.
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