The Nation Newspaper

Tag: John Odigie-Oyegun

  • Oyegun never told us not to inaugurate excos-Lagos APC chairman

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in Lagos, Alhaji Tunde Balogun on Tuesday night denied any directive from the National Chairman of the party,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun stopping state party chairmen from inaugurating their executive members.

    Balogun told newsmen in Ikeja that news reports that Oyegun gave the directive at the inauguration of 33 state party chairmen in Abuja on Monday were misleading.

    He said Oyegun never questioned his position as the Chairman of the party in the state and that of chairmen of Rivers and Oyo, adding the report was a distortion of fact.

    “It is not true that Chief Oyegun asked us in Lagos not to swear in our executives .There was nothing like that.

    “And it was not true that he also directed the chairmen of Oyo and Rivers not to do so. He never said that at the inauguration.

    “The misleading reports in some newspapers and social media did not just reflect what happened at our inauguration yesterday.

    “My inauguration confirmed that I have no problem with Oyegun or any other person. We had a congress and I was validly elected. So there is no doubt about my position as the chairman”.

    “In fact, we have since inaugurated our excos in Lagos and work is already in progress. So Oyegun could not have directed us not to swear in our exco, we have already done that, “he said.

    On the internal wrangling in the party’s chapter, Balogun said disagreement was normal in politics.

    He said his priority as the new Chairman will be to bring everybody back together so that the party could be stronger in the state.

    “My priority as the Chairman of the party is to bring everybody together.Yes ,some people organised another congress which we think it is illegal,we are going to reach them.

    “We will try as much as possible to reconcile all members and bring back those who are not with us”‘he said.

    (NAN)

  • APC National Chairmanship Race: Why I am not re-contesting – Oyegun

    Barely 24 hours after his decision not to seek re-election, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun said the interest and future of the party, rather than personal gains informed his decision not to re-contest the position of national chairman of the party.

    He dismissed speculations that he may have been intimidated out of the race to retain his position in the party leadership, saying he believed that it was in the interest of the party that does not add to the existing problems.

    Oyegun also dismissed speculations making the round that members of the nPDP were plotting to leave the party, saying the may have chosen this time in the nation’s polity to present their complaints in other to get a good bargain and not necessarily because they want to leave the party.

    The APC Chairman who spoke on the two issues for the first time at an interactive session with Journalists at his residence said those fronting former Edo State state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the position may have been doing so based on the resolution of the National Executive Committee of the party to regain the current zoning formula in the party.

    Oyegun said: “I wasn’t intimidated out. I took into consideration and I was influenced by my own consideration of what is in the best interest of the party. I have relatively been stubborn and I have been through intense pressure. You are in the media and you know how intense it was that Oyegun must go. I held to the point of principle.

    Read Also: Breaking: I will not seek second term – Oyegun

    “What makes me so glad today is that in all the virility of the attacks and the intensity of the attacks, it was easy to locate it.it was easy to see that by and large, the top leadership of the party were on my side. That is the thing that gave me the most intense satisfaction.

    “So, I wasn’t intimidate out. I just felt we should let somebody else bring some different Air into the system. That was all. It is in the interest of the party that I do not become the problem or the major part of the problem for the party to solve.

    “As for anybody coming in, the contest is open. The man you mentioned has indicated his interest and it is left to the party. There is nothing to dialogue about. You offer yourself for service because you think you have fresh ideas or a new sense of direction or whatever is legitimate. It doesn’t matter where you come from.

    “Again, if you go back to the NEC decision, it said, to the greatest extent possible, the existing zoning should be maintained. What that meant is that since the chairmanship is located in Edo State, the high possibility is that they will also be looking for somebody to replace him from Edo State.”

    Chief Oyegun also said he does not feel betrayed b6 the fac5 that the APC governors who initially stood behind him suddenly dumped him and jumped into the Oshiomhole project.

    He said “As a matter of fact, the reality is that I felt very proud that most of the structures of the party had lined up behind me. But when the reality changed, it is only legitimate that people should make fresh assessment of the new development, decide and act accordingly.

    “For me, if I didn’t make a fresh assessment, I probably would not he saying the things that I am saying right now. It is only normal that in a situation of change, things should change especially when you are faced with new realities. In that situation, the governors and myself, the affected party had to do a fresh rethink.

    Speaking on the crisis in the party at various levels as a result of congresses already conducted, he said “Maybe the so called tenure elongation would not have been such a bad thing afterall. Let us face it. We have finished the congresses and now going for the convention.

    “At the end of the convention, we are also going to have a series of contests in terms of primaries, terminating with the presidential. It is not an ideal situation to confront an election.

    “But what has happened has happened. What any leader must do now is to best manage the realities that exist and out the party in the best possible fighting shape for the 2019 elections. That is something that we must undertake. It is not a matter of choice, but a matter we must undertake.

    “The next few weeks and months will be time for reconciliations, times for consensus building, times for taking care of aggrieved parties within the fold. It does happen with every political contest. It is after that, that you start the fence mending.

    “The APC is one of the most incredible parties in the country today. It is a progressive party and I want you to look around the world. All progressive parties, their hallmark is the contestations of views and approaches to how thing should be done.

    “It is like that all over the world, whether it is Democratic Party, the Labour Party or any other party. That does not mean that the party is constantly in a state of crisis. What is important is that you truly don’t get major blocks within the party that say they want to head out inspite of what has happened.

    “Instead, we are still getting influx of members, including serving members of the national Assembly that are coming in. So, it is a life party, it is virile party and a party where ideas are strongly ad hotly contested and that is healthy. You can’t wish for anything better.”

    He dismissed reports credited to Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that he (Oyegun) was witch hunting him (Okorocha) because he opposed tenure elongation, the APC Chairman said “Well, the processes are still on, so, it is not good to answer you in detail.

    “But the answer lies in one fact which is the fact that he is not the only one who opposed the so called tenure elongation. How come he is the only one who is being witch hunted? He wasn’t even the strongest proponent or force behind the objection to tenure elongation. So, why is his case different?

    “That is the question that you ask yourself. I don’t think it is necessary to go into the details. When you look at the totality of the event in that state, I think you can get a clearer picture of what is going on because there is a united voice calling for a different way of doing things.”

    Oyegun also spoke on the decision of party leaders in the south east to endorse the three members of the National Working Committee from the area to return, saying “the party constitution allow you two terms just like it allows me two terms.

    “But I have exercise my option by not offering myself for a second term. As a matter of fact, when the details comes out in the next few days, you will see that most of the states in the north returned most of their executives because they have only had one term and that one term has had its issues.

    “Also, we did not want to create a situation where we will lose most of our experienced hands who worked for victory in the first term and are still available to work for victory for the second term. At the end of the day, you totally don’t throw away the winning team.”

    Also speaking for the first time on the demands of the Kawu Baraje led nPDP, Chief Oyegun said “The process is still ongoing and until we reach understanding with them, it won’t be right to comment. But I think that we tend to have read too much that is negative into their act.

    “I just have a feeling that like all people who want the best terms for themselves, they come at a period when they think it is advantageous for them. Given the state of the polity, I supposed they choose this time not because they want to leave the APC or because they were fed up with the APC or cause trouble within the APC, but because they want a good deal for themselves given the totality of what is going on in the party.

    “So, we have accepted their protest in good faith and we are seating down with them to work out something that will be mutually beneficial to both interests.”

  • Breaking: I will not seek second term – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has finally broken his prolonged silence on his future as the National Chairman of the APC, saying he has decided to step aside and not re-contest the position at the forth coming national, convention.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had openly endorsed the immediate past governor of Edo State and Chief Oyegun’s kinsman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the National chairmanship position.

    He told newsmen Friday night at his residence that it was his personal conviction not to seek re-election, but will always be available to serve the party, adding that it was in the best interest of the party for him not to seek another term in office.

    Oyegun said even though he had desired to re-contest the position he has decided that in the interest of the party, he will not be seeking reelection and has therefore decided to withdraw from the race.

    He said “I have taken this decision without prejudice to my commitment to the party in helping to solve some of the subsisting and emerging difficult issues and my ability to continue to provide necessary leadership.

    “However, I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose. Therefore, the less contentious our national convention is the better for the party.

    “I have always sought to be part of solving the problem of APC. I do not intend to be part of the problems for APC to solve. It is for this reason I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “However, I will continue to perform my functions as the National Chairman of the party till my tenure officially ends on Monday the 25th of June when. New set of party executives will be inaugurated.”

    Read Also: Oyegun: Fayose lacks decorum

    Oyegun said the decision to have the present Executive remain in office in an interim capacity was to avoid going into the 2019 elections as a divided house, saying “with the 2019 general elections looming on the horizon, some of us consider it to be in the best interest of the party to go into the elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that was potentially weakened by internal conflict arising from competitive congresses.

    “It was for this reason that we canvassed and obtained the NEC decision of February 27 asking all executives of the party to continue in office in acting capacity for another period of twelve months.”

    He said that it was within his constitutional right to seek another term in office, believing that his experience and familiarity with some of the most important issues that must be at the top of the political agenda which put him in the best position to lead the party into another election.

    He acknowledged the fact the even without declaring his interest to seek another term, several top stakeholders of the party at all levels began to rally round him, saying “I believe that these loyal party men and women instinctively choose to support me, because they recognized what was in the best interest of the party at that point in time.

    “Quite fundamentally, they were demonstrating their love and commitment for the party, realizing that perhaps, what was needed most at this point in time in our history as a political party is experience and stability.

    “We have conducted the congresses in all the 36 states and the FCT, we have set a date for the national convention. Now that the convention committee has invited interested aspirants to obtain forms to contest into the various national positions, it has become necessary for me to state my position.

    “I have consulted widely with my family, friends and associates. Even though i had the desire to re-contest as the National Chairman of the party, I have decided that it is ultimately in the best interest of the party for me to withdraw from the race.”

  • House of Reps have more or less endorsed Oshiomole – Gbajabiamila

    Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed today that the House of Representatives have endorsed the former Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as the next National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Adams Oshiomole

    Gbajabiamila who took to his twitter handle in the early hours of today said:

    “We sat down for over two hours with Comrade Oshiomole and had a heart-to-heart discussion and we are all on the same page.

    “As a result of that solicitation, we as the @OfficialAPCNg caucus in the House of Representatives believe in him. We have more or less endorsed him”.

    Oshiomole who will most likely be taking over from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, will be saddled with the singular and arduous task of bringing cohesion and repositioning to the APC nationwide.

  • Oyegun interfering unduly in congresses, says Great Ogboru

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta state, Great Ogboru has accused the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun of unduly interfering in the congresses of the party in the state against the provisions of the party.
    Ogboru who accompanied the Chairman of the Delta state Congress Committee t9 present its report to the National Working Committee said the Chairman was unduly interfering in the congresses, pointing out that the actions of the chairman run contrary to the party constitution and the guidelines for the congress.
    He said “I felt last week that the national chairman of the party interfered unduly, unjustly and unconstitutionally in the conduct of the congress in Delta state but I am not so sure if this is the appropriate place to say it.
    “It is sufficient to say that there was undue interference in the process which we felt that the chairman has no authority to do and which we told him to his face that what he did was not only unconstitutional but a slap on democracy.”
    The Chairman Ward and LGA Congress for Delta state, Alhaji Dododo told newsmen that the congresses conducted and supervised by him were peaceful and carried out in line with the party guidelines.
    He said “Last week, we submitted the report of the ward congress conducted in Delta state and we are here today to submit the report of the Local Government Area congress. I had gathered all the  delegates and stakeholders in Asaba and after addressing them we had swung into action with the conduct of the election in the presence of the INEC representative.
    “There was no violence, rancour or intimidation during the congress. All the stakeholders are in the same page. There was only one single congress held in Delta state and it is the one I chaired. Senator Omo-Agege, Minister of State for Petroleum, Great Ogburu and all the state leadership of the party among other stakeholders are with me. We had lots of challenges but they are part of politics.”
    He claimed ignorance of a parallel congress in the state, saying he was sent to ensure unity of the party in the state and worked the relevant stakeholders to actualise the task given to him.

  • Oyegun unduely interfering in congresses – Ogboru

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta state, Great Ogboru has accused the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun of unduely interfering in the congresses of the party in the state against the provisions of the party.

    Ogboru who accompanied the Chairman of the Delta state Congress Committee t9 present its report to the National Working Committee said the Chairman was unduely interfering in the congresses, pointing out that the actions of the chairman run contrary to the party constitution and the guidelines for the congress.

    He said “I felt last week that the national chairman of the party interfered unduly, unjustly and unconstitutionally in the conduct of the congress in Delta state but I am not so sure if this is the appropriate place to say it.

    “It is sufficient to say that there was undue interference in the process which we felt that the chairman has no authority to do and which we told him to his face that what he did was not only unconstitutional but a slap on democracy.”

    Read Also: Oni writes Oyegun, NWC, says system compromised

    The Chairman Ward and LGA Congress for Delta state, Alhaji Dododo told newsmen that the congresses conducted and supervised by him were peaceful and carried out in line with the party guidelines.

    He said “Last week, we submitted the report of the ward congress conducted in Delta state and we are here today to submit the report of the Local Government Area congress. I had gathered all the  delegates and stakeholders in Asaba and after addressing them we had swung into action with the conduct of the election in the presence of the INEC representative.

    “There was no violence, rancour or intimidation during the congress. All the stakeholders are in the same page. There was only one single congress held in Delta state and it is the one I chaired. Senator Omo-Agege, Minister of State for Petroleum, Great Ogburu and all the state leadership of the party among other stakeholders are with me. We had lots of challenges but they are part of politics.”

    He claimed ignorance of a parallel congress in the state, saying he was sent to ensure unity of the party in the state and worked the relevant stakeholders t9 actualise the task given to him.

  • Lagos APC has no preferred candidate for national chairman, says Olusi

    The Lagos State Chapter of the APC said on Wednesday that it had no preferred candidate for the party’s national chairmanship position.

    A member of the chapter’s Elder’s Forum, Mr Tajudeen Olusi, made the statement in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos.

    He said the chapter had not settled for anyone yet, pointing out however, that the chapter was watching developments keenly before taking a position.

    Olusi said that leadership quality, ability to unite the party, among other qualities were what the chapter would be looking at in supporting a candidate during the national convention of the party, slated for June.

    “We don’t have a chairmanship candidate yet. We are studying the whole scenario carefully. We will take a position at the appropriate time.

    “However, we will support only the best candidate. A candidate who will unite the party and galvanise it to greater heights.

    “A candidate with the right leadership qualities to solve challenges and give everyone a sense of belonging. That is the kind of candidate we will back, “he said.

    On speculations that a former governor of Edo, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, was being tacitly supported by the chapter for chairman, Olusi gave no definite response.

    “On that, when we get to the bridge, we shall know how to cross it,” the party chieftain stated.

    He said that the party was stepping up arrangements to hold ward, council and state congresses, assuring that the exercise would be free and fair.

    Read Also: APC lifts 260 indigent members

    The National Working Committee of the APC had fixed the national convention of the party for June after back-pedaling on tenure elongation for all its executives.

    The decision to allow congresses, followed appeals by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had described the extension as a breach of the party’s constitution.

    Oshiomhole, who is also a former labour leader, was recently endorsed by the South South zone of the party for the chairmanship position.

    The incumbent, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who is from the same state as Oshiomhole has not made any pronouncement on whether he would be seeking re-election.

    Apart from the two men, who have been in public glare, no other prominent member of the party has indicated interest in the chairmanship race.

    NAN

  • Oyegun: Court to hear suit May 3

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday fixed May 3 to hear a suit by a chieftain of the All progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adewale Hameed, challengingthe purported tenure elongation of APC’s national officers including its Chairman, Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun.
    APC
    Listed as defendants are Odigie-Oyegun, Mr Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (South ) and Sen. Lawal Shaibu, Deputy National Chairman (North).

    Others are Mr Ibrahim Gubi, National Secretary, and Mr. Pius Akinyelure, Vice-Chairman (South-west) as the fourth and fifth defendants respectively.

    APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are joined as sixth and seventh defendants respectively.

    When the case was called on Friday, Dr Muniz Banire (SAN), counsel to the APC, told the court that the sixth defendant (APC) had filed an application to set aside the service of the originating processes on them.

    Banire said the order for substituted service on the sixth defendant was obtained fraudulently as the address stated on the order was wrong.

    He said the address of the APC secretariat is No. 40, Blantyre St., and not No. 16, Blantyre Avenue that was stated in the order.

    “The website the applicant claimed to have got the address from is not ours, a Good Samaritan brought our attention to today’s date, we are yet to receive any process.”

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/assets-declaration-supreme-court-to-determine-senate-presidents-fate-july-6/ (more…)

  • APC stalwart to Odigie-Oyegun: resign now

    A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Perekeme Kpodo, on Thursday, called for the immediate resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    Kpodo, a former interim chairman of APC in Bayelsa, said Oyegun should leave the party’s exalted office for negligence of his duties and sowing a seed of discord among notable members of the party.

    He said Oyegun was the brains behind previous attempts to sideline a known pillar of APC and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, from the activities of the party and the Federal Government.

    He said the national chairman tried to underplay the roles of Tinubu in the brith of APC and his invaluable contributions to the party’s victory at the 2015 general elections.

    Kpodo, who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, said that the way Oyegun had carried on with the affairs of the party after the victory of APC in the elections was an indication that he contributed nothing in the electioneering that led to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He insisted that after the victory, Oyegun could not manage the success of the APC, but instead promoted selfish agenda that threw the party into avoidable crisis.
    He said: “Tinubu is one of those, who masterminded the victory of the APC. He is the party’s think-tank. It is public knowledge. He spent money, struggled and did the brainwork with some of his associates and allies.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari also joined the train with his political associates. Their hard work led to the formation of this party. With that force, they grabbed power coupled with the fact that People were tired of PDP because the party was deep into impunity and embezzlement of funds. They were collecting money without hinderances and the former President aided them.

    “Everybody hoped on APC to change the impunity. APC came and won. However, the greatest mistake is the party chairman, Oyegun. He couldn’t manage the success of APC. He failed to handle the party the way it was expected of him. Oyegun went to sleep after the victory.

    “He couldn’t engage party stakeholders. He couldn’t wade into crisis and settle disputes quickly. He failed to organise meetings, seminars and other programmes to strengthen the party.

    “With what has transpired so far, Oyegun spearheaded the attempts of sidelining Tinubu. Tinubu, who did all these good jobs was sidelined from the government. Nobody heard about him. People became surprised.

    “Meanwhile Oyegun was the one trying to set confusion between Tinubu and Mr. President. He created an impression that they were quarreling”.

    He advised Oyegun to stay on his political lane and admire the sagacity of Tinubu if he could not work with him, noting that trying to ignore the former Lagos governor would spell doom for APC.

    He said: “Tinubu delivered almost all the states in the South-West. When we compare Tinubu and Oyegun, we can see the differences in their political values. Tinubu became a governor of Lagos State and since that time we have seen how he has carried the Yoruba race along and how he redefined Lagos.

    “He brought in Fashola, Ambode and there has been a progressive programme of continuity in Lagos. If he had been given a better opportunity at the Federal level, this idea would have been integrated into the programmes of the federal government.

    “But Oyegun was a governor who did nothing in Edo State. Edo became shambles until he left. When he left, nobody recognised him and he had no followers. He couldn’t even win his unit during the last election. If not for former Governor Oshiomole, APC would have been disgraced in that election”.

    Kpodo, however, commended Buhari for speaking out against the “arbitrary tenure elongation” of Oyegun and bringing Tinubu to reconcile the grievances in APC.

    “We thank God that the President realized on time that we have to go back to the old structures. He called Tinubu back realising that without him this party is finished”, he said.

    But he said Oyegun should leave the stage for working against the reconciliation efforts of Tinubu and challenging the the President’s position on tenure elongation.

    “The President has spoken that tenure elongation should be scraped. He is the leader of the party. But Oyegun instead of obeying the order, decided to set up a committee to review tenure elongation.

    “What is he reviewing? He is challenging the President. It shows he wants the APC to have crisis. It is time for him to resign and go. He is just the problem of APC”.

  • APC fixes Monday for tenure extension decision

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) said it would take final decision on the party’s executives’ tenure extension on Monday.

    National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja at the end of a three-hour meeting between governors elected on the party´s platform and the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The party had on Tuesday, constituted a 10-member technical committee headed by Gov. Simon Dalung of Plateau to advise its leadership on the way forward on the tenure issue.

    This followed President Muhammadu Buhari´s recent opposition to NEC’s approval of tenure extension for the NWC and all executive committees of the party at all levels across the country, made at its meeting on Feb. 27.

    Buhari had said at another meeting of NEC in Abuja on March 26 that the NWC’s tenure extension decision was illegal and unconstitutional.

    The NEC had extended the tenure of the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC and other executive committees by one year, starting from June.

    The president had explained that the decision was causing acrimony within the party, with some members not comfortable with the matter, dragging the party to court.

    ´´The Governors and the NWC of our party decided to sit and look at the issues that were seemingly dividing us.

    ´´I want to say to you with absolute satisfaction and pride that all the issues that you have been commenting on has been completely and totally resolved,’’ Odigie-Oyegun said.

    He said that the technical committee constituted to look into the issue would submit its report latest on Thursday to enable the NEC to look at it.

    ´´The Chairman of the technical committee has reported that his report will be ready latest this evening or by the very most, early tomorrow morning.

    ´´This report will be placed before NEC on Monday and appropriate decision will be taken and thereafter, we shall announce to you the further steps we are going to be take,´´ he said.

    The chairman, however, added that the party´s next steps would depend on its NEC considering on the committee´s recommendation.

    He assured that the APC was back as one united and focused party, strongly behind Buhari and its executives across in the states.

    Commenting on the issue, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi, told newsmen that final decision on the tenure extension issue was with the party´s NEC.

    ´´It is left for the NEC to decide, and if the committee recommends that the position of NEC should be maintained, then there will be no need for an elective convention.

    “Then, the president and those who are concerned that the decision we have taken is correct or not, will have more confidence in the position of the party.’’

    The APC spokesman, however, said that if the technical committee recommended that congresses should be held, the party´s NEC would consider that.

    Governors elected on APC platform, had at a meeting with Buhari on Tuesday unanimously agreed that the party should hold a congress to settle the extension issue and others.