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Tag: Oshiomhole

  • Oshiomhole inherited party in cold war – Sani

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Shehu Sani, said on Tuesday the immediate past leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) laid “booby traps” which may explode in the next few days.

    Sani said the Chief John Oyegun-led leadership of APC left too many unresolved crises in the party, adding that “Oshiomhole inherited a party in cold war.”

    He said the present leadership of APC must move quickly to address issues facing the party if it hopes to make any inroad in future elections.

    Sani, who spoke at the public presentation of a book titled: “Balarabe Musa: The Voice of the Masses” also explained why he was leaving the APC, saying the indecision of the presidency and the party leadership on the impunity in Kaduna was responsible for his decision to leave the party in the next few days.

    Sani said: “I will like to congratulate the new National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle, who has inherited a party in cold war, civil war. But I wish him well.

    “First of all I believe in Adams Oshiomohle. I believe in his track record and I believe he is somebody who has desire to put things right in the party. He is a capable hand, a revolutionary and a true comrade. But Chief Oyegun left behind unexploded bombs in the party which certainly may be beyond the capacity of Oshiomohle to address.

    “I believe there are a lot of issues which have not been addressed. I wish Adams Oshiomohle should succeed. But Oyegun released some bombs which in the next few weeks may explode from the states.

    “For instance, if I were from Lagos State, I will forever remain in APC. If I am from Borno I will forever remain in APC and if I’m from other states like Edo or Sokoto, I would have to remain in APC. But the situation in Kaduna is one in which the governor has converted the party into his own personal franchise.

    “There were no congresses. He simply removed people who have different opinion other than his own. He unleashed a reign of terror on members of the party. The governor has destroyed the very basis and foundation of the party in that state.”

     

  • Can Oshiomhole stop nPDP from leaving APC?

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has promised to restore peace in the ruling party by addressing the grievances of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, otherwise known as the nPDP, who joined the fold after its formation, prior to the 2015 general elections. Nigerians believe the former Edo State governor and labour leader is equal to the task. LEKE SALAUDEEN reports.

    ONE of the major challenges that the newly-elected Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is expected to grapple with is the threat of pulling out of the party by members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP). The nPDP, a splinter group that pulled out from the main opposition party in 2014 and merged with the APC, has indicated that its final position on the matter would be made public this week.

    As preparations for the next general elections intensify, the relationship between the ruling party at the centre and the group has deteriorated. The crisis climaxed with a petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari in which it alleged that despite its contribution to the party’s victory in the 2015 presidential poll that it was being marginalised within the fold by members of the former legacy parties that came together in 2014. In spite of the efforts by the APC leadership to address the group’s grievances, members of nPDP are yet to soft pedal on the threat to quit. Indeed, the group pulled out from peace talk with the party leadership, when it became obvious that President Buhari was not favourably disposed to meeting and discussing with its representatives.

    The presence of the leaders of nPDP like Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State at the just concluded APC convention had given the impression that the group had soft-pedalled on its threat of leaving the APC. But, recent statements suggest otherwise.

    On the eve of the convention, Saraki said time will determine his position in the affairs of the APC.

    Even more disquieting was the comment of the nPDP leader, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who warned the APC leadership not to celebrate yet, after the recent successful convention. He said the foundation of the convention was already shaky. His words: “We decided to attend the APC convention because we wanted to demonstrate to the entire Nigerians that we are still loyal to the party. That is why we attended the convention. The fact that we attended the convention should not be mistaken for peace within the party.”

    Oshiomhole had promised in his acceptance speech that all the crises within the party would be resolved amicably. He added: “This is because I am used to managing divergences and this is just another task. It will be done to the satisfaction of our President, governors, senators, representatives, House of Assembly members, and all the rank and file members of our party.”

    But, how successful will Oshiomhole’s bid to accommodate members of the nPDP in the APC. Lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Monday Ubani, believes the nPDP leaders have made up their mind to leave the APC. He said: “I don’t know the magic wand Oshiomhole would apply to make them drop the defection plan. If he can persuade them, it is good for the APC, because the party cannot afford to lose members, if it wants to win 2019 polls. But, it looks as if the nPDP is adamant to leave. The general public have been inundated with reports that they have entered into negotiations with some parties ahead of 2019 general elections.

    “But, I don’t know which party they will join. Are they returning to the PDP they left in 2014? What influence would they have on the party when they go back? Can they be trusted by the leadership of the PDP? If they merge with any of the fringe parties, including the Olusegun Obasanjo-led African Democratic Congress (ADC), can they muster enough support to make any impact in the elections? It is better for the likes of Saraki and his group to remain in APC, if they want to remain relevant in 2019 and beyond.”

    But the former Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, believes Oshimohle was on the right part for promising to reconcile aggrieved members of the APC. He said: “As the new national chairman, it is in order for him to mend fences with groups or individual members who have grievances against the party.”

    Mamora noted that Oshiomhole had promised to resolve differences amicably and restore peace in the APC. He said as a former labour leader, the new APC national chairman has the negotiation skill that would help him to resolve the conflicts in the party.

    On the speculation that members of the nPDP have made up their minds to leave the APC, Mamora said: “It will be pre-emptive to say that the chairman should close his eyes against them. It will be proper to give them the chance to express themselves to the new chairman. It is one of the reasons why Oshiomhole has promised to do justice to all manner of persons and to work for the benefit of every member of the party. We should bring everybody on board; the more the merrier; we will not like to lose any member now that the 2019 general elections are fast approaching.”

    A member of the nPDP and Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, disagrees. He called on the leadership of the party to ignore the antics of the nPDP. He said it was time the party “ignored the deliberate attempts” by some persons in the APC to distract President Buhari’s focus on governance, pointing out that the admonition was against the backdrop of their recent decision to resurrect the platform of the defunct nPDP to fight their personal battles.

    Adamu said: “I belonged to the nPDP; and as I had said before, there was nowhere we held a meeting to resurrect the group for the purpose of protesting alleged marginalisation of our former members by the APC-led Federal Government. Apart from that, the basis of the group’s allegation is tenuous.”

    The senator, who is the Northcentral coordinator for Buhari’s presidential campaign, reiterated that the antics of the so-called nPDP were to portray the Buhari administration as being unfair to the group in its appointment. He hailed President Buhari’s resolve not to interfere in the APC leadership’s meeting with the aggrieved group and added that the president’s decision that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should interface with them was good for the supremacy of the APC.

    The speculations that nPDP is set to dump the APC thickened as Adamawa Central senator, Abdul Aziz Nyako, revealed underground moves by the group. He disclosed that he was preparing with the teeming supporters of his father and former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to leave the APC and that he had spoken to former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others who assured him that there was a new party coming up.

    Nyako said: “We have no option than to go, but we are still discussing the party to move to with our entire structure. I have spoken with Prof. Jerry Gana in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). I also spoke with Attahiru Bafarawa and fixed an appointment for him with Admiral Nyako. Bafarawa wants us to return to the PDP. I went to Abeokuta and discussed with Olusegun Obasanjo about our prospects with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He directed me to see Col. Oyinlola who assured us that we will be absorbed with our structures, if we join the party. He told me that Kwankwaso spoke to him about a new party coming up and expressed delight that we were leaving the APC before it was too late.

    “I was given the party’s constitution about a month ago; it’s a new party expected to be approved soon with four others by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We have done it before, when we left the PDP to form the APC and this time around by the grace of God, our movement will not be in vain.”

    Apparently calling the bluff of the nPDP leaders, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai said if they leave, it won’t have any impact on the electoral fortunes of the APC. His words: “I have no doubt in my mind that if the people threatening to leave, leave it will have absolutely no impact on the 2019 presidential election.”

    He said leaving the APC is not the issue. The issue is that they have expressed grievances; some of the grievances are legitimate and should be looked into. But, to threaten to leave the party is neither here nor there. He added: “If they are honest with themselves they know that President Buhari will win in their states with or without them. But, if you have a grievance, we are a party and politics is a game of addition and not subtraction, so we don’t want to lose anyone.”

    However, a political scientist, Professor Ayo Olukotun, has cautioned the APC leaders against shutting the door of reconciliation against the nPDP.  Olukotun said they people concerned are not novice and that they have made their marks in politics. He said given their identities and personality they cannot be treated with levity.

    Olukotun, a lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said Oshiomhole can make truce with the aggrieved members through bargaining and leverage. He said: “Going by the famous definition of politics, as who gets what, when and how, if you are able to convince them that there is something for them, if you throw carrot at them, it is not difficult to bring them back into the fold.”

    Similarly, a chieftain of the APC in Taraba State, Alhaji Isa Tafida, has advised the new leadership of the party to listen and attend to grievances of the group. He said the nPDP has no option than to address the issues raised by the group.

    Tafida warned that the party could not afford to have internal crisis at this moment, because 2019 is fast approaching. He advised the leadership of the party and the presidency to find a way of addressing the matter, to enhance the chances of the APC in 2019.

    A public affairs analyst, Mrs Sola Salako-Ajulo, also believes that Oshimhole is up to the task of restoring peace in the APC. She said: “The issues raised by the nPDP can be resolved through negotiation. There is nothing impossible, if they decide to resume talk with the leadership of the APC. Oshiomhole is a master in negotiation, given his background as a trade unionist. He would bring his experience to bear in his new position.”

    Ajulo said intra-party crises were rampant among Nigerian political parties because they were not rooted in ideology. She added: “People join parties for personal gains and not what the parties stand for. That is why people decamp from one party to the other once their interest is threatened. In the United States, people don’t change parties at will. If they are disenchanted with their party policies or programmes, they will remain independent.”

  • Oshiomhole moves to woo aggrieved APC members

    The new chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is reaching out to aggrieved members of the party in a move to resolve the crisis in the party.

    A nationwide tour for him to personally interact with such aggrieved party members and party big wigs is on the card, The Nation gathered last night.

    Sources said the new party boss is determined to strengthen all reconciliatory efforts ongoing in the party at all levels and where necessary, embark on fresh moves.

    The Nation gathered that as part of the new peace drive, the National Reconciliation Committee of the party, headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be strengthened and given all the assistance and co-operation it will need to reconcile prominent party chieftains currently displeased with the party or the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    A member of the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling party said the party’s new chairman is much interested in ensuring that the party does not lose any of its big wigs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any party or coalition of parties, before, during and after the 2019 general election.

    The source who does not want to be named said he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the party, revealed that “at every opportunity, meeting, parley and even informal discussions, the Chairman has been making it clear that one major assignment of the new leadership of the party is to reconcile aggrieved members to the party.

    “One thing I can confidently tell you is that we are currently thinking very seriously about how best to go about reconciling our aggrieved chieftains and members all over the country with the party before the next general election.

    “Our new chairman is committed to it and he has clearly said he is open to suggestions about how that can be successfully done within a very short period of time.

    “There are already talks about the need to empower the existing committees like the one headed by Asiwaju Tinubu  in the important assignment of making peace among our chieftains.

    “The committee’s leadership lamented that the last party leadership was not cooperating with it in the task of reconciliation. That is one area Oshiomhole may differ. He has expressed readiness to support that committee to achieve its task as soon as possible.

    “Soon, the committee’s effort so far may be reviewed with a view to seeing how the party can help them to perform better and faster.

    “More than ever before, we need the Asiwaju Tinubu committee to move very fast and keep aggrieved chieftains from leaving our party. We will meet with the committees soon. We will also consider how to resolve some legal issues arising from some of the grievances,” the source revealed.

    The Nation also gathered that the new administration may have also decided to approach some of the crisis within the party on zonal  and state basis by putting in place zonal and state reconciliation committees to help in midwifing prompt reconciliation of some issues.

    According to sources, the zonal and state leaderships of the party have been advised to take the issue of reconciliation very seriously.

    “It is important to note that some of the grievances we are talking about are at the grassroots. If we really want to achieve true reconciliation in some cases, we must look beyond merely reconciling two big wigs and moving on.

    “Sometimes, it is necessary to address the concerns of some of their associates too. To cater for these, we are considering having reconciliation committees at zonal and state level.”

    Already, reconciliation committees have been set up for the APC in the Southeast zone as well as for the Imo state chapter of the ruling party.

    The zonal reconciliation committee is headed by Senator Emmanuel Agboti from Ebonyi State, while that of Imo State is headed by Prince Macdonald Akano. The committees are to ensure that warring factions within the APC in the South-east and Imo state are brought together.

  • Students seek support for Oshiomhole

    The National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS) has called on members of the All Progressives Congress to support its new National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to enable him deliver on his promise to the party and the nation

    It described Oshiomhole as the man that can lead his party to victory.

    Spokesman for NAESS, Comrade Meisabi Tasiu, in a press statement said the former Edo governor has the capacity that can lead the party to achieving success in the forthcoming general election

    Comrade Tasiu said Oshiomhole’s past stewardship as governor in the state has set a better template in the political corridor.

    Tasiu said: “With his profound intellectual extensiveness and dedication to effective service delivery, he will be able to provide veritable support for President Muhammadu Buhari vision, socioeconomic and political ideologies.

  • Delta APC protests to Oshiomhole over consent judgment to sack SEC

    The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested to the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over the consent judgment obtained by a faction loyal to Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and Great Ogboru to sack the State Executive Committee (SEC).

    It said Chief Cyril Ogodo-led executive in Delta State that was duly elected and inaugurated by the erstwhile National Working Committee of ex-National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    The party executive said it was never a party to the matter and by law was not bound by the outcome of the said consent judgment.

    It urged Oshiomhole and the new NWC not to recognize and install a faction which emerged from a parallel congress of the APC.

    It advised all APC members to stay calm, steadfast and to go about their party businesses without let or hindrance.

    The APC  in Delta State made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its State Publicity Secretary, Moses Kamanya.

    The statement said: “It has come to our notice that on June 28, 2018 a consent judgment in respect of a suit filed by Odjebobo Desire Onoyefeme and Lyndon L.O.I Ugbome against the APC National Chairman and the APC National Working Committee with Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/509/8 was secured by the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Chief Great Ogboru led group of APC members in Delta State.

    “The purport of the consent judgment is to accord legitimacy to the wards and LGA executives elected at the parallel congresses conducted by the Agege/Ogboru group which were earlier adjudged illegal by the HE Chief John Oyegun-led NWC which actually conducted, supervised and approved the outcome of the recently conducted congresses of the APC nationwide.

    “The attempt to procure this consent judgment came to our notice and that of the APC NWC on June 12, 2018.

    “The then NWC found that officers of the Legal Department in the APC without its knowledge, directive, consent and approval acted in connivance with its appointed legal counsel to draw up terms of settlement proposed by the plaintiffs that were acting on behalf of the Agege/Ogboru group.

    “The NWC immediately debriefed the counsel and appointed a new one Messrs Chief J. K. Gadzama SAN in his place, with the instruction to terminate the process of the consent judgment and purported terms of settlement as they were not authorised nor did they emanate from the NWC.”

    The APC leadership said since the former NWC had gone to court to disown any purported terms of settlement by party leaders in the state.

    The statement added: “The NWC had earlier approved all congresses conducted according to its guidelines and had inaugurated congresses won by the Chief Cyril Abeye Ogodo- led executive in Delta State and had rejected the executive that emerged from the Agege/Ogboru conducted parallel congresses. On June 22, 2018, the then National Chairman personally attended court to disown the so-called terms of settlement that purportedly emanated from him and the NWC.

    “It has, however, come to our knowledge that among the very first actions taken by the new National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, was to withdraw the Messrs Chief J. K. Gadzama who had the brief of the erstwhile NWC to terminate the purported consent judgment process and appoint a new counsel Messrs Adeniyi Michael Akintola SAN presumably with the instruction to pursue and secure the erstwhile unauthorized consent judgment in order to award through court the ward and LGA executives to the Agege/Ogboru group. We find this action of the new chairman totally inexplicable.

    “We the Chief Cyril Ogodo-led executive in Delta State that was duly elected and inaugurated by the erstwhile NWC was never party to the above suit and by law was not bound by the outcome of the said consent judgment nor can our positions be taken away or de-legitimized by a court consent judgment entered into by two parties without our knowledge, directive, consent or approval.

    “Nonetheless, we have written a protest letter to the National Chairman and copied to all current NWC members pointing out this aberration and requesting them to step away from entrenching a party faction in Delta State.”

    While calling for calm in the Delta APC, it vowed to take legal actions to vacate the consent judgment.

    It said: “We are also taking all legal actions to vacate the consent judgment on the basis of it being procured through misrepresentation as the erstwhile NWC that conducted the referenced congresses never consented or approved any such terms of settlement.

    “The State Chairman and State Working Committee in Delta State hereby call on all party members to stay calm, steadfast and go about their party businesses without let or hindrance. The party executive will continue to function and carry on the business of APC in Delta State.

    “We assure all party faithful that this distortion will not last and shall be dislodged in the shortest possible time and that our mission to rescue Delta State from the stranglehold of the PDP remains unshaken.”

  • Oshiomhole to intervene in Imo APC crisis

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his National Working Committee (NWC) will intervene in the crisis rocking the party in Imo State.

    It was gathered that the party’s leadership is worried that the crisis may affect the party’s chances, not only in the state, but the entire Southeast.

    Sources said the party’s leadership resolved to invite Uzoma Ezediaro, the lawmaker representing Oguta state constituency, believed to have spearheaded Uche Nwosu’s endorsement, and other members, to explain why they perceive Nwosu as the best governorship candidate in 2019.

    The lawmaker’s action is believed to have led to the factionalisation of the party by the anti-Okorocha elements who have vowed to resist such moves.

    It was gathered that others opposed to the endorsement will also be invited to explain their opposition to ensure a quick resolution of the crisis which is said to be giving party leaders sleepless nights.

    Crisis began in Imo APC when Ezediaro rallied his colleagues to endorse Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, as the party’s preferred governorship candidate for the 2019 election. But the move was opposed by stakeholders led by Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere.

  • Oshiomhole to APC leaders, members: I don’t belong to any faction

    •’We must work for unity’

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday told party faithful and leaders that he did not belong to any faction or bloc within the ruling party.

    His emergence as national chairman, he said, was a product of the collective unity of the party members.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke when he received two different delegations of party members from Taraba State, said members of the party must work for its unity.

    He added that unity can only be achieved in an atmosphere of justice and fairness.

    The party’s national chairman assured those with grievances in the various states that his leadership would soon move into action to address such challenges.

    Oshiomhole noted that he was presently studying his handover notes to know where there are challenges to address them.

    He said party members and leaders at the various levels must be prepared to make sacrifice and unite for APC’s common good.

    According to him, there was no way the party could make inroad with a divided House.

    He told the delegations that he was still studying the handover notes given to him by the former chairman as well as awaiting the report of the convention committee on what they did to ensure peace during the exercise.

    Oshiomhole said the fact that even those who had grievances behaved maturely and waiting for his emergence as chairman to address such grievances meant that he has a duty not to disappoint them, but ensure that justice and fairness prevail.

    He said: “Luckily, I am not a product of a faction; I am not a product of a bloc. I am a product of unanimity within the rank and file and leaders of our party. Therefore, I have a duty to translate into action what they expect of me, which is that the unity that prevailed in my election should be transplanted to all the states so that we have unity in all the states. That, I will work for without fear or favour.

    “My plea is that let us be guided by this pillar of justice and fairness. We must also recognise that in a free society and in the real world, nobody get what he wants, but what you are able to negotiate.

    “That is why the tool in this business is the tool of persuasion, mediation and negotiation. Those we will bring to bear to assist us and every group that has challenges to help them fight on a common ground because our party will move in as one united and indivisible party.”

    He added: “The convention committee chairman has informed me that he is working on his report which will contain a number of states where we have challenges, what he had to do before the convention, those he assured that their matter will be looked into after the convention.

    “I appreciate that even those who had grievances had confidence that with me coming in, we will be able to resolve their grievances and People generally behaved even though they have their reservations.

    “I am very grateful for the patience that people have shown and the maturity that has been demonstrated. When I have the report, the secretariat will inform you when your attention is required so that we find a win-win solution.”

    He said the party leaders must work for the unity of the party and the country, saying “the unity of the party must flow from the unity from the ward, state and National levels”.

    Oshiomhole added: “I listened to you referring to two parallel congresses at various levels in Taraba state and that is rather unfortunate. We must do everything possible to ensure that we maintain the unity of the party in every state, including Taraba State.

    “I am happy by the comment made by one of you that you are all committed to ensuring that the tenure of the current governor will be brought to a close on May 29 next year by ensuring that we vote him out in February. I am committed to that project.”

    The two delegations were led by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, who said led what she called the mainstream APC in Taraba State and Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, who led what they described as the Taraba APC Unity Group.

     

     

  • Oshiomhole, PDP and the unfinished business

    Finally, the eagle has landed with the emergence of former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). By that strategic political orchestration and stratagem, the APC, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has sounded the ultimate nunc dimittis for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The opposition must be wishing that this had not happened.  Oshiomhole’s chairmanship of the governing APC is masterstroke in the contemplation of a revitalized winning machine ahead of the crucial 2019 presidential election in which Buhari, as the expected candidate, continues to be PDP’s nemesis and waterloo.

    It is a platitudinous fact that the PDP never wanted the APC to remain cohesive in the hope that it could profit from its internal squabbles and divisions in the build-up to next year’s general election. That was the reason it had continued with its negative profiling of the APC and its jejune antics of taunting the APC as incapable of holding congresses and national convention to elect its national executive committee (NEC).  That narrative had, sardonically, become a platform on which the battered opposition strove to draw political relevance. Unfortunately, its rash of criticisms had only portrayed it as dimwitted. And generally, the PDP has now outlandishly reduced opposition politics to petty tittle-tattle and confabulation, poking around in the APC’s internal affairs when issues that directly affect the welfare, security and wellbeing of the nation and her citizenry are blowing in the wind.

    Therefore, the manner in which the PDP and its noxious frolics could not escape essential stigmatization with regard to its unimaginative interference in APC’s internal affairs is the same manner in which its so-called quick responses to APC’s governance issues cannot escape indictment as products of frustration birthed by the historic and sensational termination of its megalomania in the 2015 presidential election. Its rodomontade that it would rule Nigeria for the next 60 years had suffered a short circuit. Its 60-year rule dream got terminated in its sixteenth year in power. The decision by Nigerians to sign a social contract with the APC is at the bottom of PDP’s histrionics. Unable to absorb the shock and in a frenzied bid to stage a come-back to power to continue the robin hood road show, it has resorted to ridiculous and lugubrious act of propaganda and blackmail.

    But one thing has been very evident in the corpus of criticisms that the PDP has hurled at the APC and Buhari’s administration since inception: the criticisms are all sheer bunkum and gobbledygook oozing out of the belly of damaged and compromised party machine whose leaders lack the moral high ground to pontificate about corruption. But surprisingly, the PDP through its publicists has been laboring hard to skew the corruption narrative against the APC and Buhari, whose moral magnitude has received national and international approbation; a leader who typifies the moral conscience of the administration and the moving force of the anti-corruption war.

    It is in the context of the sheer preposterousness of PDP’s antics that the sensibilities of Nigerians who have become seized of the facts of monumental corruption and mindless looting that charaterised the sixteen years of the PDP government get daily assaulted and ghastly bruised. For God’s sake, the fact that the PDP has the gumption to sermonize about propriety in official conduct questions and ridicules our sense of morality. The opposition party has sunk so deep into the corruption morass for it to be able to challenge the APC. Its records of malfeasance and sleaze are sordid. Its integrity capital has been greatly discounted. There is no iota of positivity in its kitty to show to a manically bewildered citizenry.

    The PDP cannot come to equity because it does not have clean hands. The totality of the political machine is soiled. The party’s unconscionable and wicked strategy to charge the APC-led federal administration with the mundane issues and primordial sentiments of religion and ethnicity in order to diminish the single-minded effort by Buhari to confront and dismantle the odious legacies of corruption, insecurity and mismanaged economy inherited from it, are reprehensible. Herein is the fallacy of PDP’s oppositional politics. It is obviously luxuriating in the aqua of hocus-pocus, thinking that Nigerians have forgotten so soon how its government mindlessly plundered the nation’s patrimony.

    There is no doubt that the leading opposition party has nothing new to offer. It has thus become a compulsive irritant, knowing full well that it cannot electorally rebound due to Buhari’s writ-large credentials and characters of financial prudence and integrity. In addition, the prospects of a much more unified party under the chairmanship of a hard-hitting Oshiomhole have raised the bar far higher than the PDP had expected. Until June 23, the PDP had been indulged by the party’s NEC under the urbane and unassuming leadership of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. That political indulgence had served as an oxygen mask for the prostrate PDP which, at the time, should have been put where it rightly belongs through precise and sustained narratives by the APC.

    Had Oshiomhole been the chairman at that period when the nation was daily regaled by revelations of corrupt acts perpetrated by the PDP and officials of its government particularly from 2011 to 2015, he would have robustly deployed the platform of his office to further deconstruct the nature of the plundering administration and the characters that superintended it. Today, Oshiomhole has stepped in as national chairman to the discomfiture of the opposition: all gloves are off for bare-knuckled fights with the floundering opposition. It is too late for the PDP to stop the macabre dance. Regardless, Oshiomhole will take the wind of its sail, deploying his huge capacity for wits and grits.

    Viva Nigeria! Viva APC! Viva Buhari! Viva Oshiomhole! Welcome to a new  era in political party administration. The combination of Buhari and Oshiomhole would produce robust government-party leaderships that would be complementary in their vast flourish. Oshiomhole is not ready to take prisoners.  He is in the mood to completely decimate the opposition.  He has the intellectual magnitude, the oratorical clout and the sheer fecundity to deploy the power of logic in the articulation and elucidation of party and government manifestoes and programmes. He is very efficient and utilitarian.  He will consistently and persistently intervene in very coherent defence of policy decisions and choices by the federal government.

    Indeed, the almost four years of tolerating the irritability of the PDP are over for good. The opposition is advised not to joke with Oshiomhole. Enough of political sarcasms and innuendoes that had been thrown as barbs at the APC and Buhari for a period of aeon. PDP’s characteristic criticisms that had bordered essentially on ad hominem; that had been highly tendentious most times and, at other times, vitriolic and incendiary should be moderated if the opposition must enjoy little peace. In fact, the PDP is now in between the devil and the deep blue sea. Whether it becomes irresponsible or not, it should know that it has Oshiomhole to contend with per time.

    The role of the opposition is not, as it were, to cry wolf where there is none or to become irresponsible in raising the alarm before international organisations without verifiable factual bases nor is it to play on our centrifugal proclivities at the expense of our centripetal and agglutinating fulcrum. The PDP and Oshiomhole’s opposite side- Prince Uche Secondus- will come under the sledge hammer if they continue with these odious tactics. Clarifications: the APC-led administration is not averse to criticisms, but the criticisms must be constructive.

    • Honourabe Obahiagbon, a former member of the House of Representatives, writes from Benin.

  • Oshiomhole: Beyond the song and dance

    Sir: Divine elements, apparently working in harmony with existential considerations as well as the avuncular disposition and approbation by President Muhammadu Buhari culminated in the consensual coronation of former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the party’s June 23 national convention in Abuja. The magnitude of the strategic political concession that produced the Oshiomhole consensus also bore the obligatory imprimatur of the party’s 24 state governors who provided the essential validation that resolved the previously contentious issue in his favour.

    From the initial audacious notices of intention to vie for the position of national chairman by no fewer than five persons and the acrimonious outlooks that the scramble for the position had assumed, huge pressure had been piled on the party under the leadership of Buhari who had to act expeditiously and sagaciously by making two down-to-earth and back-to-back interventions.  The first was to overrule the decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to extend its tenure by a year by calling for congresses and convention, thus obviating a legal conundrum.

    The second and, perhaps, more strategic intervention was the expression of his preference for Oshiomhole to take over from Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as the new navigator of the APC ahead of and beyond the 2019 general election. Significantly, Buhari did not impose Oshiomhole by presidential fiat. His candidature merely and justifiably enjoyed lofty presidential recommendation. That recommendation was shorn of political shenanigans. There was no need for Buhari to dissimulate and vacillate on the issue, having been convinced that the party needed the Oshiomhole persona at this time.

    Beyond the song and dance of his coronation, Oshiomhole’s concern is how to lock in the vast majority of votes required in renewing Buhari’s mandate in the 2019 presidential election. That is how to prove that the confidence reposed in him by the president and the party was not misplaced. That is the burden that Oshiomhole bears. Indeed, having consummated the ultimate leadership deal, Oshiomhole’s immediate task is to chart a trajectory towards a renewed, vibrant and robust political configuration in the APC. He is expected to deploy his persuasive powers and negotiating skills in the execution of his responsibilities and the initial chore is to resolve the problematic issue of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) that stares the APC in the face like a veritable bugaboo. He is obligated to build a united political family in strategic counterpoises to the dialectics of oppositional politics.

    Oshiomhole is also expected to espouse and expound socio-political and economic issues within the context of APC’s manifestoes and governance philosophies. In driving pro-people national conversations, he will be defining and giving bites to the party’s electioneering onslaught against the opposition ahead of, during and after the 2019 presidential election. With a massive capacity for oration, he is expected to persuasively sell Buhari’s re-election campaign promises to Nigerians by energizing and sustaining narratives that are essentially pro-Buhari and anti the leading opposition party and its presidential candidate.

     

    • Sufuyan Ojeifo,

    ojwonderngr@yahoo.com.

  • Oshiomhole, Lalong, Yari: power ‘ll shift in Ekiti on July 14

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have reiterated their push for power shift in Ekiti State at a rally witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, 12 governors, ministers, and other big wigs. The election will hold on July 14. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU captures the expectations of the party faithful as the campaign train of the flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, rolls into the 120 towns and villages constituting the Fountain of Knowledge.

    Brooms filled the air in Ado, the capital of Ekiti State. It was not a rented crowd. Joy was bold on the faces of party members who adorned customized t-shirts and fez caps. They were full of enthusiasm and zeal they danced and chanted party slogans at intervals. As the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jide Awe, put it, the voters were ready for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Artisans, peasants, youths, professionals, technocrats, women groups, and representatives of Hausa and Ebira communities joined party supporters from 120 towns and villages for the rally. They were in one accord. There was no display of unruly behaviour during the carnival-like rally that lasted for almost nine hours.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) led the national party leaders who stormed the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium for the rally around 2. 05 pm. He was accompanied by 12 governors, some ministers and senior party officers who delivered powerful messages of solidarity and goodwill to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governorship flag bearer, his running mate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, and the Ekiti APC family.

    “Ekiti deserves prosperity. JFK will bring prosperity to Ekiti. On July 14, don’t waste your votes. We are moving forward. We are cooking a good soup for you,” Osinbajo said in Yoruba, assuring Ekiti of a brighter future.

    On the raised platform were Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, out-going National Chaitman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, his likely successor and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Secretary to Government of Federation Boss Mustapha, National Secretary Mai Buni, former Governors Bamidele Olumilua, who gave the opening prayer, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, Fayemi’s wife, Bisi, and Mrs. Egbeyemi.

    Tinubu, who saluted the endurance and resilience of the crowd, urged the people not to waver in spirit and focus. He lamented that it is strange that Ekiti is not yet part of the broom revolution. Why is Ekiti different? He asked. Throwing his weight behind Ekiti APC’s avowed commitment to change, the party stalwart said: “We will do this voting together. I don’t have a PVC in Ekiti, but…”

    Urging the people to get their permanent voter’s cards ready, he said: “What is the value of your stay here, if you don’t have the permanent voter’s card? That is the red card. You watch the world cup matches. They have issuing yellow and red cards to players. You should give the PDP the final card on the day of the election.”

    In the mood of excitement were Adebayo and Oshiomhole, who basked in the euphoria of incumbency power wielded by the ruling party. Thus, there was a flash of federal might which may have sent the PDP jittery. “I am not a visitor to Ekiti like our party leaders. I have not much to say. PDP says they don’t want soldiers and police. It is foul of them. On poll day, there will be soldiers and police,” said the Iyin-Ekiti-born politician.

    To Oshiomhole, what goes around comes around. He mocked the PDP over its loss of power, which he said was used to prevent his entry into Ekiti for campaigns four years ago. He said the PDP rigged the 2014 poll. “Many days are for the thief, one day for the owner. 2014 was for the thief. July 14 is for the owner,” he said, urging the electorate to shun fear on election day.

    Reminiscing on his 2014 plight, he said: “Four years ago, I was on my way to Akure, to come to Ekiti, to send a message. Those in power did not allow me. They stopped me at Benin. Tough times don’t last. Those who used power, God took them away.”

    The former labour leader urged the electorate to vote for Fayemi. He said:” Ekiti recorded achievements under Fayemi. You are intelligent. You can’t choose a roadside banana maker. Don’t be afraid. Your votes will count. What is good for Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Lagos and the rest of Nigeria cannot be bad for Ekiti.”

    Echoing him, a defector, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former Minister of State for Works, said the PDP is dead in Ekiti, adding that its leading lights are defecting in droves. He challenged Fayose to repeat the feat of wining in 16 councils on July 14. “PDP is dead in Ekiti. It will not rise again. We have uprooted it. We will not set it on fire. People are decamping on daily basis from PDP. One of the exco members of PDP, as Fayemi knows, has defected. Fayemi will liberate us.”

    To Oyegun, Adeyeye’s defection was long overdue. Presenting the flag to Fayemi, he said: “It is the popular consent of your people that you will be governor. Congratulations. Impressed by the turnout of party faithful, he said: “You can see victory. You can feel victory. Have you not tried two wives? Who is your governor? JFK.” Turning to Adeyeye after receiving him into the fold, Oyegun added: “We have wanted you in the APC. Today, you are with us. To God be the glory.”

    Also, Oni mocked the PDP, saying it is depreciating, adding that a party that had over 30 governors when he served as governor on its platform, now has less than 12 governors. “Ekiti is the od state out in Yorubaland. We should join the progressive camp to be part of development and prosperity,” he said.

    Awe alerted Ekiti to the imminence of a political tsunami, which he said, will sweep away the remnants of PDP from the state. He said the change will open a new chapter in the life of the chapter, adding that it will be a stepping stone to a glorious future. “We lost in 2014. It will not be repeated again. On July 14, come and vote for APC,” he added.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun was visible at the rally with his familiar hill-top cap. “Ekiti should not come last in the Nigerian project. Having tasted the PDP and the APC, you know the better one. Let everyone take his PVC to vote for FKJ. The loss of 2014 must not be repeated,” he added. His Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola was comical, saying: “For you to be fine, you should vote for Fayemi.”

    Their Osun compatriot, Rauf Aregbesola, was hailed by the crowd as he approached the podium. Waving his broom at the crowd, he said in Yoruba: “Ekiti is full of eagerness. We should prepare anew. We must not fail this time around.”

    As if he was reading his lips, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who added a little drama to his speech, declared: “This is a different time. Fayemi only retraced, only to come back in full force. APC has produced governors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo. It is the turn of Ekiti.”

    Urging voters to gird their loins, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said: “Ekiti should be part of progressive states. On July 14, let us vote for the APC. Fayemi has been governor before and he was successful. We should vote for him again.”

    Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, who directed his message to the youths, urged them to vote for APC in appreciation. “APC is the party that appreciates the youths. It is a party that recognizes the youths. In this dispensation, they gave me an opportunity to represent the youths. The way we won Edo and Ondo is the way we will win Ekiti. We will campaign day and night to win,” he said.

    The governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, hailed Ekiti for their zeal, assuring that the reclamation is far gone. Noting that Nigeria in the last three and half year have been safe in the hands of President Muhamadu Buhari and Osinbajo, he said: “By God’s grace, on July 14, Ekiti will come under the rule of the APC.”

    His Zamfara State counterpart, Abdulazeez Yari, asked the crowd: “Are you ready for change in Ekiti in 2018?” The crowd responded: “Yes”. He said: “The crowd I saw in 2014 is different from that of 2018. That means you are ready for change.”

    Southwest APC Women Leader Chief Kemi Nelson, while charging voters to prepare for the exercise, said: “Go and collect your PVC so that you can vote for Fayemi.”

    Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, said the end of the PDP’s rule in Ekiti was approaching. “Oshofo will go. Let’s say bye to him. He will go.”

    A representative of the students, Niyi Odebunmi, reiterated the support of youths for Fayemi. “Students are socio-cultural and political asset. We identify with Kayode Fayemi in his bid to restore our values and secure our future.”

    The vice chairman of the Hausa Community, Mustapha Sheu, said victory is assured, adding: “We are expecting the swearing in of Fayemi, who has been kind to us. We cannot forget him.”

    A leader of Ebira community, Sadiku Ojo, said: “We support Fayemi for a second term. We came to this rally in the bus he gave to our community in his first term. He really empowere our women and traders. We will vote for him.”

    Fayemi said he was humbled by the genuine solidarity of party leaders. Firing salvos at the PDP, he said: “They said they want continuity; continuity of poverty, backwardness and fraud.”

    Highlighting his vision for Ekiti, he added: “Our government will start to pay for school fees, NECO fees and social security. We will provide jobs. Our LCDAs will be back. By God’s grace, July 14 is our day with destiny. It is the day the PDP will be obliterated; a day of restoration of values, decorum and good governance.

    At the rally were Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Plateau and Borno counterparts Simon Lalong and Kashim Shetima, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu, Southwest APC leader Chief Pius Akinyelure, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Senator Ayo Arise, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, Bimbo Daramola, Dele Faparusi, Kayode Ojo, Emmanuel Adesoye, Bode Oyedele, Akinlayo Kolawole, Ondo APC Chairman Ade Adetimehin, Yahaya Kolade, Hajia Hassan, Afolabi Ogunlayi, Uche Ekwunife, Sharon Ikereasor, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and Senator Bunmi Adetunmbi.