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Tag: Oyegun

  • Buhari delays trip to stop Oyegun’s ‘extension plot’

    President for NEC meeting

    Chair pins hope on Lalong’s report

    Proponents of tenure extension for All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun and others seem to be adamant, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    There is a plot to create a stalemate and dump President Muhammadu Buhari’s and the APC governors’ decision on National Convention, it was learnt.

    The President is to attend the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday before leaving for London—apparently to ensure that the decision for the party to have congresses and convention stays.

    There were indications last night that some party chiefs backing Oyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) had decided to fight back.

    The pro-tenure extension forces invited all state chairmen for a meeting  last night.

    The meeting was expected to mobilise the chairmen to oppose the decision of the President and the governors.

    At the NWC meeting yesterday, Oyegun parried all issues relating to the composition of the members of the National Convention Committee (NCC).

    In what appeared to be a desperate survival battle, Oyegun told NWC members: “We are not here to constitute any committee; we are yet to receive the report of Governor Simon Lalong Committee on the desirability or otherwise of tenure elongation proposed by NEC.”

    According to sources, following fears that the NEC may be influenced to overrule his proposal, the President decided to delay his trip till after the NEC meeting.

    He is scheduled for a private meeting in London from Monday ahead of next week’s Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the United Kingdom.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President told us at the Villa on Wednesday that he would prefer to attend the NEC meeting on Monday to ensure that the agreement on state congresses and National Convention with the governors was followed through.

    “He said he was initially billed to leave in the morning on Monday, but he might go in the night after the NEC meeting. He said he would attend the NEC meeting to “satisfy” himself that the agreement with the governors is respected.

    “We all reasoned with him because in his absence, all these pro-tenure extension elements, especially the NWC members, might want to spring a surprise. Some of our colleagues and some party leaders are not happy that we have rejected tenure elongation.

    “Our fears were confirmed by the refusal of Oyegun to disband the Governor Simon Lalong Committee after the governors conveyed their preference for elective state congresses and the National Convention to him.”

    At yesterday’s NWC meeting,  the constitution of the National Convention Committee (NCC) was not on the agenda.

    A member of the NWC quoted Oyegun as saying: “We are yet to receive the report of the Lalong Committee on the desirability or otherwise of tenure elongation as proposed by NEC. You cannot put the cart  before the horse. Everything depends on the Lalong report.’

    “We were all shocked because Lalong addressed the NWC  on  Wednesday on the highlights of his committee’s report.

    “Lalong told us plainly that his committee will agree with Mr. President’s position. Having given us the snippets of his committee’s report and with the decision of the governors to back out of tenure elongation, we thought Oyegun would do what was necessary at the NWC meeting.

    “As  members of the NWC, it dawned on some of us that the agenda on tenure extension is a bigger picture in the party. Some people are just out to factionalise the APC before the next general election. They are looking for excuses to quit the party.”

    A source said: “State chairmen were invited by some leaders of our party and NWC members for what they described as a ‘block opinion’ on the need for tenure elongation.

    “The essence of the meeting was to mobilise them to oppose President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors by asking NEC to subject the proposals for tenure elongation to voting.

    “They are saying that since the President believes in democracy and the rule of law, he will have no choice than to abide by the decision of the simple majority on Monday at the NEC meeting. The main plot is to ambush the President and box him into a corner.

    “Oyegun and the NWC members are fighting back. And since the state APC chairmen also wanted tenure extension, they will be willing tools to move against the President and the governors.”

    The source added: “It is still a dicey situation unless the governors move to support the President to push their proposal on the conduct of state congresses and the National Convention through.”

     

  • Buhari urges caution as APC governors split over Oyegun

    Villa meeting inconclusive

    Anxiety over ‘predictable’ advisory panel

    Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s admonition, some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are still bent on tenure extension for the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    They say the party does not need to conduct congresses and national convention, but the President has warned the governors against illegal acts capable of making the party to lose the 2019 poll on technical grounds.

    The party has inaugurated a Technical Committee on the future of the NWC. But, a big row has broken out over the committee’s membership.

    Some members of the committee are said to be the sponsors of the tenure elongation motion at the penultimate National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    The President yesterday met with APC governors following a split among them over his advice at last Tuesday’s National Executive Committee meeting that the party should hold congresses and a national convention to elect new executives.

    Governors at the meeting include Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Jubrilla Bindow (Adamawa), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Abdufattah Ahmed (Kwara).

    Also at the meeting were Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Tanko Al- Makura (Nasarawa). Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo),

    Others include Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).

    The governors declined comments on the meeting which started at 2:14 p.m and ended around 3.30 p.m.

    One of the governors confirmed that they were directed not to speak with reporters.

    The governors met briefly among themselves before the President’s arrival.

    A source at the session said: “We were given a sheet of paper which indicated only the hall at the Presidential Villa where the session will hold.

    “The sheet was without agenda, indicating that the President did not want tempers to rise before taking his seat.

    “In his opening remarks, the President made it clear that the essence of the meeting was for ‘the APC family to come and reconcile our position with regards to the continuation or non-continuation of the Oyegun-led NWC in office.”

    He said the meeting was to “see how we will work towards successful conduct of congresses and National Convention”.

    The source however said although six leaders, including the President, spoke, there was tension such that they could not agree on a “definite position”.

    “We opted to hold another meeting by 9pm  to take a final position.”

    Another source at the meeting said: “The President convened the meeting in order to discuss the minor differences we have had since the President told NEC meeting that it was better to hold elective congresses and National Convention.

    “Many views were expressed for and against the one-year tenure extension for the NWC. There was a lot of rationalisation of ideas by those who wanted Oyegun’s tenure extended.

    “At the session, Governors El-Rufai, Akeredolu, Yahaya Bello and Simon Lalong were vehement on why the tenure of the NWC should be extended by one year.

    “Each of them stood up to rationalise the tenure extension by claiming that whatever the NEC does is legal and it won’t have consequences on the legality of APC’s electoral victory in 2019.

    “They warned that congresses and National Convention could divide the party and lead to a split before the 2019 polls. They said it would be better to keep the party united than leaving it in disarray.

    “But other governors queried the affront of pro-tenure elongation governors in revisiting the advisory of the President on the need to follow the 1999 Constitution and the APC Constitution.

    “Those who supported Buhari’s position expressed disappointment that Oyegun went ahead to inaugurate a technical committee which they considered to be an ‘affront to the President.”

    Another source said: “After many arguments for and against, the President repeatedly warned APC governors to be careful and stick to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and APC Constitution.”

    “The President said we must conduct party activities within the laws in order not to lose the 2019 elections.

    “Following that note of caution from the President, we opted to hold another meeting by 9pm on Tuesday.”

    The source added: “We know why some governors were desperate for tenure elongation. They had issues in their states and they are overwhelmed with fears that their second term bid might be difficult because they might not be able to determine the outcome of the congresses in their states.

    “We are watching if they will now ask us to ignore the President’s advice.”

    The source added: “While the drama was playing out, the Vice President and some experienced governors just listened, without speaking.”

    A governor from the north, who is backing the President’s position, spoke exclusively with our correspondent.

    He said: ” Mr. President is the leader of the party and a leader with such substantial support and loyalty from our members. I think his views should be respected. Even if his views are different from our position, as loyalists, we should look deeper into it.

    “We need to respect the President’s perspective, more so when such a position is in tandem with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and APC Constitution. As democrats, we should be at peace with such a position.

    “In any case, the President’s position on the basis of law has not violated our rules and the 1999 Constitution. The President is always mindful of the rule of law and due process.”

    Also, there is anxiety among the NWC members over the constitution of a Technical Committee to review President Buhari’s advice against tenure elongation.

    An NWC member said members were not consulted by the national chairman before he picked the committee members. Most of the members are for tenure elongation, he said.

    “The chairman only informed us that he has set up the panel. Ordinarily, we should sit down and consider each nominee on merit.

    “Look at the list: Governors El-Rufai, Akeredolu, Lalong are tenure elongation proponents  and others like Legal Adviser Muiz Banire and the external legal advisers who are even defending the tenure elongation in court are members,” he said, adding:

    “It is an open secret that these governors were coordinating the mobilization of support for tenure extension for all of us in the NWC.

    “The outcome of the assignment of the Technical Committee is predictable.  It will work to the answer. We have some apolitical members on the committee but pro-tenure extension members will sink their voices.

    “Once we allow a Caretaker Committee to nominate our candidates, the election will be half won by either PDP or any coalescing party. Such a committee is an aberration to the APC Constitution.

    “Before we went for Easter holidays, Oyegun repeatedly said he would constitute an ‘independent technical committee’ and we were wondering if such a panel will be higher than the party or NWC.

    “It is unfortunate that some governors are just out to create a crisis in the party. If they want any NWC member back, all they have to do is to canvass for votes at the National Convention or they can meet with other leaders for consensus on candidates.”

     

  • Not exactly about Oyegun

    He was bold, decisive and forthright. Yet, President Muhammadu Buhari was at the same time conciliatory, consensual and diplomatic. The occasion was Tuesday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where the President overruled the earlier extension of tenure by one year granted the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party by the NEC. President Buhari admitted that the decision of the NEC at its February 27, 2018, meeting to extend the tenure of members of the NWC by one year “was duly carried by a majority of members present…even though some of our party members have since spoken up very vehemently against it. Others have even taken the matter to court”. But apparently weighing in with his critical and difficult to ignore voice as leader of the party, Buhari told his audience that legal advice at his disposal was to the effect that the extension contravened both the Constitution of the APC and the Constitution of the country.

    In the President’s words: “While the APC Constitution, in Article 17(1) and 13.2(B), limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in section 223, also prescribes periodic elections for party executives at regular intervals, which must not exceed four years”. Warning that the party should avoid the potentially very risky implications of legal challenges to its decisions if they violated constitutional provisions either of the APC or the country, the President stressed the need to immediately begin processes for going on with already scheduled party congresses and conventions to pick new party officers at all levels. In his characteristic manner, Buhari nevertheless threw his position open for discussion by NEC members apparently seeking to hear alternative views and superior arguments.

    Some distinguished senior lawyers and members of the party NEC who spoke in opposition to the President’s stance reportedly expressed the view that NEC’s decision was valid and within the law, that internal decisions of the party could not be challenged in court and that, in any case, the decision on tenure elongation was sanctioned by a majority of members of party members. The subtle insinuation here was that the President’s was a minority view on the matter and should not override the majority if the democratic principle were to be adhered to.  However, the intervention by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), reinforced the President’s position when he cited judicial decisions in Kano State specifically which had gone against the party because the party executives in place were appointed and not elected as mandated by the party constitution. He said the judicial decisions obligated the political parties to abide by their constitutions.

    But then, is there any need for the ruling party going into this tenure elongation controversy? Why should incumbent party executives at all levels seek to continue in office automatically without being subjected to the test of internal party democratic processes? If a key strength of the APC against the ruling PDP in 2014 was its open and transparent intra-party contests in contradistinction to the farcical exercises of the latter, why should the APC be eager to dispense with internal elections for tenure elongation at a time when the PDP, though still badly battered, is gradually getting its act together? Of course, let me quickly say here that it is entirely up to the APC if it opts to contest the next critical election from a legally fragile and morally diminished position. But as this column said when commenting on the last PDP convention, political parties are so critical to our political process that their internal affairs cannot be left to the whims and fancies of party members alone. Those who are non card carrying members of political parties also have a responsibility to encourage these critical structures to respect stipulated constitutional procedures in managing their affairs in the interest of the stability and well being of the larger political system.

    There are those who contend that the APC is so crisis ridden that holding party congresses to elect new party executives shortly before the 2019 polls will leave the party even more divided and thus ill prepared to compete effectively in the election. It is my view that the picture of a badly fragmented party in no position to abide by its own constitution al requirement to elect new party executives every four years is greatly exaggerated. The truth of the matter is that for an alliance hurriedly cobbled together to fight the 2015 election, the APC has held its own quite reasonably in the circumstances.  In any case, why should the APC seek to project a public image of a party so divided that it has become practically dysfunctional?  Is this not ultimately self-defeating? For, if it cannot manage its internal affairs as a political party, why should Nigerians entrust the party further with the responsibility of running the affairs of the country?

    Again, if the party has not made remarkable progress towards becoming a more cohesive organizational entity since the 2015 election, a huge chunk of the blame surely lies on the party executives seemingly so desperate for tenure elongation. It is difficult to understand, for instance, why the relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency was allowed to degenerate so badly without the party leadership doing anything meaningful about it for so long. The consequence is that the Buhari administration has been considerably slowed down in the implementation of its policies to the detriment not only of the party’s image but the progress of the country. In the same vein, the party leadership inexplicably folded its arms and simply looked on as the APC degenerated into crises in several states. Surely, with a proactive, dynamic and purposeful party leadership in place, these crises could have been long tackled without the need of the President setting up a crisis resolution committee.

    Another argument of the tenure elongation proponents is that the period between now and next year’s election is too short for the party to organize and stage successful congresses and conventions.  This should certainly not be so if the party puts its mind to it. After all, it performed an even more herculean feat by holding at least three conventions between its formation and the last general election. It will only task the astuteness and acumen of the party leadership to the utmost. Again, however, the party leadership’s inexcusable lack of proactive initiative must be blamed if the APC finds itself in a tight corner as regards holding constitutionally stipulated congresses and conventions before next year’s elections. Since the party executive was aware of the time table for the elections as well as the legal expiry of its own tenure, preparations for these exercises should have been well under way by now. Should the current party leadership be rewarded with tenure elongation in these circumstances for what is clearly a dereliction of duty on their part?

    It is my view that the APC  will be in worse shape if it does not hold elective congresses and conventions to elect new executives at state and national levels as and at when due than if it does. For one, scores of party members who seek to contest party offices at all levels will feel short-changed as well as disaffected and alienated. Beyond this, hundreds of aspirants seeking to contest for the governorship or presidential tickets of the party will be justified in feeling that the incumbent occupants of the positions have a vested interest in desiring the continuation in office of the present party executives beyond their legal four-year terms.  The credibility of the governorship and presidential primaries will be significantly enhanced if they are conducted by party executives that emerge through the will of the party members in free, open and transparent intra-party contests.

    Contrary to the impression in many quarters, the issue of tenure elongation does not necessarily center on the person of the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. It is rather a matter of fidelity to the party and the country’s constitutions. In any case, Oyegun like other members of the current NWC are not proscribed from seeking reelection into their current positions if they so desire. Those who believe they have performed well enough to continue in office will surely have the opportunity to vote for them while those opposed to the incumbents will also test their electoral strength among duly elected delegates. It is the principle of adherence to constitutional and democratic principles that matter and not personalities. In the final analysis, however, President Buhari deserves commendation for taking the lead in setting APC on the right course of constitutional adherence.

  • ‘Oyegun did well for APC’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Blessing Edigin, has said the plot against Chief John Odigie-Oyegun will fail.

    Edigin said Oyegun’s critics should remember the stabilising role he played in the APC.

    He told reporters in Benin City that Oyegun did his best for the APC, especially in ensuring victory in 2015.

    “Those criticising  Chief Oyegun are not conscious of what they are doing. They are just echoing the voice of their paymasters whose intentions are not noble. If you ask some of these people to analyse the situation they will be tongue-tied as they  are not sure of what they stand to benefit from their protest or the crux of  their argument.

    “For the records, Chief Oyegun’s tenure as national chairman of the ruling APC has brought some measure of good tidings in the life of ordinary and honest Nigerians.

    “Nigerians are living proofs of the increase in Agricultural yields such that the price of foodstuff which was hitherto on an upward swing has gone down considerably because of the APC whose party leadership has made it possible for those governing the country to be focused and result oriented.

    “I can tell you confidently that those who allegedly go on the streets to condemn the leadership of the party under the guide of Chief Odigie Oyegun are so-doing to satisfy the wish of their pay-masters. But what they fail to realise is that Chief Odigie Oyegun has been a stabilizing force and has played a major role in the fortunes of the party nation wide.

    ”As we speak, the party is in control of over 20 of the 36 states. That is a sign of Chief Odigie Oyegun’s depth in character. He has the ability to relate with the high and the low no matter the circumstance. Those agitating against his leadership will learn to respect him when he is put on a scale of character evaluation. As they say a prophet is never respected in his own home,” he said.

  • APC chieftain to Oyegun, others: retire now

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Timi Frank, yesterday advised the  National Working Committee (NWC) led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to go and learn how to run a ruling party from the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

    He asked the party’s leaders to tell the world whether President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer the leader of the party because he opposed plans to elongate the tenure of the National Working Committee and State Working Committees.

    In a statement in Abuja, Frank said the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, should honourably resign his position as party chairman and retire to his farm before disgracing the President and the party.

    Frank said it was wrong for the party to tell the world that the earlier decision of the party’s NEC still stand despite President Buhari’s objection.

    He noted that the National Working Committee of the party has done more damage to the party than good.

    He said: “I’m telling Chief Oyegun to retire now before he disgrace President Buhari because it is shameful and disgraceful for NWC to say Buhari is not the leader of the APC. This is a way of disgracing him before Nigerians and entire world that the  has no say in his own party.

    “I remember several times, the party under Chief Oyegun could not hold meeting, not to talk of taking any decision because the President, who they claimed to be leader of the party then, was not available. So, we want to know what has change now. When it is time to take decision in their favour, Buhari is the leader of APC, but  when the president took certain decision against Oyegun and his NWC, Buhari is no longer of the leader. This is an embarrassment to the President.

    “I expect our National Chairman and APC to go and learn how to run a ruling party from PDP. There is no crime in learning what you don’t know.”

    Frank said he will resign his position as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC at the expiration of their tenure to pave way for new leaders, saying: “I will not be part of illegal tenure extension.”

     

     

     

  • Buhari faults tenure elongation for Oyegun, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari has opposed tenure elongation for National officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC)and called for election of new leaders.

    Buhari said tenure elongation will be a draw back for the party and will create divisions within the party.

    According to him, the decision is contrary to the APC Constitution and Nigeria Constitution and will render any nomination invalid.

  • APC Senators disenchanted with Oyegun over ‘plot’ with govs

    Several Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are angry with the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for allegedly working to scuttle their return to the Red Chambers next year.

    The Senators, mainly from Bauchi, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, believe Oyegun is working hand in hand with their governors to stop them from getting the party’s ticket for another term.

    The lawmakers used the opportunity of last Wednesday’s meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC with the Senate Caucus of the party to vent their anger on Oyegun, according to sources close to the deliberation.

    The meeting was essentially to find a solution to the persistent face-off between the executive and the legislative arms, especially the threat by the National Assembly to override Buhari’s veto of the new election order contained in the Electoral Act as amended and the elongation of the tenure of the NWC.

    One of the sources said: “Tenure extension is a major issue in the party. Everybody has his own interest. From the body language of senators, it is obvious that most senators do not want Oyegun to continue because of his open romance with some governors.

    “Senators who have one issue or the other with their state governors feel that Oyegun is on the side of the governors.”

    Some of the senators were said to have expressed misgivings that the party leadership was conniving with their governors to block many of them and members of the House of Representatives from returning to the National Assembly.

    Bauchi, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara were mentioned by the lawmakers as  states where the party was looking the other way while the state governors were working to stop Senators and Reps from returning to the National Assembly.

    “What it means is that even House of Reps Speaker Yakubu Dogara is not sure of his ticket because of his disagreement with the Bauchi State governor.”

    The source added: “In Kogi State the governor, Yahaya Bello, singlehandedly sacked the state exco of the party while Oyegun aided him to hand pick a care taker committee that is not known to the party.

    “In Kaduna, the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, demolished the house of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and the party has not said anything. All these unhealthy developments were brought to the attention of Oyegun.”

    He said that the situation where some people in the party were trying to paint members of the National Assembly black by labelling them anti-Buhari, was also discussed at the meeting.

    “A major grouse of the senators is that most of them feel that the party has not provided a level playing field for all members.

    “It was explicitly stated that the legislature is the only arm of government that must be in place for there to be democracy in a country.

    “Oyegun was also told in plain language that the party is looking the other way while the executive arm of government is trying to demonize the legislature, the only symbol of democracy.

    “The party is the body that holds everybody together. As it stands, the party is on its own, the executive on its own and the legislature on its own. The country cannot go on like that.”

    The source said that after three hours of frank talks, Oyegun was tasked to ensure unity and proper reconciliation ahead of the 2019 election.

    The source said: “That was why the resolution to set up a caucus of the executive, legislature, governors and the party to address issues affecting the party was arrived at.

    “It was a frank discussion and we all spoke our minds especially with the realization that 2019 is by the corner.”

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, told reporters at the end of the meeting on Wednesday that the controversial amendment of the Electoral Act was discussed.

    Lawan also confirmed that an agreement was reached to set up a caucus comprising the executive, the legislature, governors and the party to resolve conflicting interests when they arise in the party.

     

  • 2019: APC mediates in Presidency, NASS rift

    The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to constitute a committee to look into differences between the Executive and the National Assembly and proffer solution to the matter.

    The resolution, according to the Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, was fallout of a meeting between the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and the APC Caucus in the Senate, held in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Lawan told journalists after the meeting that membership of the committee would be drawn from the Executive, Legislature, the Governors’ Forum and the party’s National Secretariat.

    He said the team the team was charged with the responsibility of reducing the level of misunderstanding among members of the party across board.

    Lawan said the committee would investigate the disagreements at different levels of the party ahead of the 2019 general election.

    He said: “The purpose of the meeting was to discuss happenings in the party across the country and across all levels of government.

    “Senators took turn to express the way out of some of the issues bedeviling the party and I believe that it was a worthwhile, very frank discussion.

    “The party will soon constitute a team that will comprise of the executive, the legislature, the party itself and representatives from our governors and we have 24 of them.

    “We are very happy as a caucus that the interaction was worthwhile and I am sure that our party was also glad to be here with us this afternoon.

    “We, as members of the National Assembly will remain committed to ensuring that we continue to support the change agenda of our administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The party is the platform for all of us, both the legislative and executive and in my own view, the party has done well by coming.”

    In his remarks before the commencement of the closed-door meeting, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, said the meeting was aimed at discussing issues in the polity.

    He said happenings within the polity necessitated the party leadership to meet with the Senate caucus “to reason and strategise for 2019 elections.

    “We hope to have a better party after the meeting,” he said.

    The NWC was led to the meeting by Odigie-Oyegun while President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, led the APC Senate Caucus to the meeting which lasted two and half hours at the National Assembly.

    NAN

     

     

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Buhari will ensure transparent poll, says Oyegun

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said President Muhammadu Buhari will ensure that the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State is transparent, free, fair and credible.

    The party chairman also said the election would be a “must-win” for the ruling party at the Federal level.

    He assured the party’s aspirants that a credible, free, fair and transparent primary would be conducted to choose the party’s flag bearer.

    The chairman stressed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration would not compromise the integrity of the ballot box, despite the party’s quest to regain the governorship seat in Ekiti.

    He promised that the APC structure in the country will mobilise resources to assist party members in Ekiti to win the governorship poll.

    Odigie-Oyegun spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during his one-day official visit to Ekiti State for the membership mobilisation drive into the party.

    The APC National Chairman registered new members at the state secretariat on Ajilosun in Ado-Ekiti.

    Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, joined the chairman.

    Odigie-Oyegun and his team made a stopover at the state secretariat where thousands of party members mobilised by governorship aspirants had waited to receive the team.

    The train later moved to Eagle Hall on Ikere Road where another crowd of party faithful gathered.

    The National Chairman, Ekiti State APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, State Working Committee (SWC) members and governorship aspirants sauntered into the hall at 1.15 p.m to a rapturous ovation by party supporters.

    Odigie-Oyegun said the kick-off of the nationwide registration of new party members was brought to Ekiti to show the readiness of the APC to win this year’s governorship poll in the Southwest state.

    He said: “We did not choose Ekiti to kick-start this event (new membership drive) by accident. Ekiti is facing an important election that will happen in this nation.

    “God has put it in our hand; God has put it on your laps and God has chosen Ekiti to be a major factor in the politics of this country in July 2018.

    “We in the National Executive have decided that the coming election in Ekiti is one we will work as hard as possible to win. No stone will be left unturned: it is a must-win election.

    “As you know, the Muhammadu Buhari administration will not compromise offering voters a level-playing field. The Buhari administration will not compromise having a free and fair election.

    “It means whether we are in power at the federal level or not, we must all work hard to deserve the victory that belongs to us.”

    Odigie-Oyegun also reeled out some guidelines to ensure that aspirants and their supporters conduct themselves with decorum and ensure that the party organises a transparent primary.

    He added: “The aspirants should not campaign as if there is no tomorrow. Don’t campaign with enmity because there should be no discord in the party. Anybody who wants to fly the party’s flag must sign an undertaking to maintain decorum.

    “We at the national headquarters, having guaranteed a free and fair primary – because there cannot be peace without justice – will guarantee a free and fair primary.

    “We must not have bad losers. All aspirants must collapse their structures into the person that is chosen at the primary. There must be no division and factionalisation in the party.

    “No officer (in the State Exco) should join the campaign bandwagon of any aspirant, whatever position you hold. The moment you do that, you have factionalised the party.”

    On the rumour to impose a candidate, Odigie-Oyegun said: “I want to assure that in Ekiti State, we will have free, fair and credible primary. We will provide security at the primary. It will be an open event and will be covered and recorded on television from the beginning to the end.

    “There will be proper identification of delegates to prevent impersonation. Once the delegates’ list is out, every aspirant who pays the prescribe fee will be given the delegates’ list.

    “At the voting point, party chairmen of the local government (chapters) and wards will stand at a distance away, but they will ensure that those who will vote are bona fide delegates. Anybody found impersonating will be handed over to the police.

    “A formidable group of (APC) governors will be mobilised to superintend, guide and ensure that the election is totally free and fair.

    “Finally, as far as Ekiti governorship election is concerned, we are going to mobilise the entire country, the entire APC structure, to ensure that you (Ekiti APC) are not alone and that all the resources you need for the election are made available to you.

    “At the end of July, Ekiti will be APC.”

    Governorship aspirants at the parley included Chief Segun Oni, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Victor Kolade, Dr. Bayo Orire, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Captain Sunday Adebomi, Dr. Mojisola Kolade, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, Senator Ayo Arise, Dr. Wole Oluleye and Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi.

  • Oyegun leads APC’s NWC for Ekiti primary

    •Party chiefs warn against infighting

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, pays a one-day official visit to Ekiti State today, a governorship aspirant, Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned party members to desist from infighting and divisive utterances.

    Another party leader, Akinlayo Kolawole, urged eligible delegates not to be influenced by money in electing the party’s flag bearer at the primary.

    Odigie-Oyegun and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are expected to hold meetings with critical stakeholders in Ekiti State.

    The stakeholders include former governors and political office holders, State Working Committee (SWC) members, governorship aspirants, senatorial, local government and ward excos.

    Apparently disturbed by attacks in the social media against fellow members, Bamidele warned party faithful to desist from such act.

    Bamidele, who spoke at the weekend at his Iyin-Ekiti country home, warned that such tendency could ignite an internal crisis that may affect the party’s chances at the July 14 governorship poll.

    He expressed disappointment at how some aspirants’ loyalists and party members have been running one another down on various social media platforms.

    The former House of Representatives member noted that party members would have to unite after the primary “as no individual can win anm election independently without the backing of other contenders”.

    Also, Kolawole, an APC chieftain in Ekiti North Senatorial District, urged the national leaders to ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair shadow poll to enhance the party’s chances of winning the governorship seat.

    Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the national chairman’s visit, Kolawole advised the delegates to consider competence, commitment to the party’s progressive ideals and mass appeal of aspirants before making their choice.