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Tag: Oyegun

  • Court summons Oyegun, Buni over Ebonyi APC crisis

    Court summons Oyegun, Buni over Ebonyi APC crisis

    There was a new twist to the crisis rocking the Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the National Chairman of the party and National Secretary, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Hon. Mai Mala Buni, have been summoned before Justice A.

    A Nwaigwe’ s High Court sitting in Abakaliki. The two leaders of the party are to appear in person to answer questions why they should not be committed to prison for disobeying an order of interlocutory injunction restraining them, their agents and privies from conducting any new congress aimed at electing new executives of the party in the state.

    The Nation gathered that the crisis escalated when the national chairman was said to have transmitted a letter to the state deputy Chairman, Eze Nwachukwu to act as the state chairman of the party. While Nwachukwu claimed that Nwobasi was suspended, the state chairman of the party on his part insisted that he still remained the authentic chairman of the party, describing his deputy as an “impostor”.

    Justice Nwaigwe had on November 6, 2014 restrained the respondent from appointing caretaker committee in place of the executives elected during the ward, Local government and state congresses conducted in the state on November 11, 16 and 29 respectively pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The counsel to the applicants, Godwin Onwusi noted that the APC National chairman and National Secretary had earlier been served Form 48, which is the notice of consequence of disobedience to court order that may commit the duo to prison if found guilty.

    Onwusi, while briefing journalists in Abakaliki noted that he applied to the Court for Order of committal to prison (Form 49) for the respondents to appear before the court and explain why they should not be sentence to prison for contempt. In the Form 49, he said: “Take notice that pursuant to section 72; order 1X, Rule 13(1) and (2) of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes ACT, CAP S6 LFN updated to 2010 and Order 42 Rule 9 (3)(C) of the rules of this honourable court, the counsel, on behalf of the applicants, will on the 4th day of May 2017 at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon or soon thereafter, as the business of the court will permit, apply to this court for an order of committal to prison of the 1st respondent/ contemnor and the party sought to be committed as agent/privy of the 2nd respondent/ contemnor for having disobeyed the order of this court made on the 6th day of November, 2014”. “That while the substantive suit was and is still pending in court, the party sought to be committed as agents/privy signed and issued a letter dated 23rd February, 2017 to one Pastor Nwachukwu Eze appointing him the Acting Chairman of the APC, Ebonyi State, notwithstanding that the order restrained both the respondents and their agents/privies from doing so”, Onwusi added.

  • Buhari deserves second term, says Oyegun

    Buhari deserves second term, says Oyegun

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun spoke with reporters in Benin City, Edo State capital, on the crisis rocking the ruling party and why President Muhammadu Buhari should seek re-election in 2019. Excerpts:

    APC chieftain, Tony Momoh has said the party is in dire need of funds because governors are not funding the party. What do you think is responsible for this?

    I am not quite clear what he meant by governors donating or funding the party. What the governor or any major supporter does is to bring his friends together, solicit for funds and then move those funds to the party. A governor can donate from his own personal resources, but this is the Buhari administration and we have just come out from a disastrous PDP administration where government became an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a situation whereby government funds are diverted into politics.  That will not and cannot happen under this administration and that is what is going on today.  So, the party therefore, has to be innovative in raising its own funds.  We have concluded all the arrangements, put the machineries in motion. We now get regular contributions from the executive arm of government, meaning government or political appointees. We get from the senate, we also get from the House of Reps and we have concluded online arrangements to get from the generality of membership all over the country. Every member will now have to pay the sum of N100 only per month as a member. And if at the end of one year there are members who do not pay at all, then they are automatically delisted. For any member of the party to be qualified to vote or be voted for, you must have valid membership credentials, which includes paid up membership. So, the party is set and running. It has taken time to fine-tune, particularly the membership drive nationwide and we have to take the general educational level in the rural areas into consideration and of course, since it is a low level of cash but cumulatively amounting into a lot of money, we have to design a system that is fool proof as possible. That is being rolled out in another month and then the party will be relatively better off but of course, this does not obviate the need for well-off members to also help the party when major events are coming up.

    But, the reports everywhere right now are that the party is in huge financial crisis; salaries are being owed and you are unable to meet other financial obligations. How true is this?

    The reality is that yes, we have had difficulties on paying salaries once or twice. That is normal in the situation we are in. People are missing the point. The Buhari administration will not touch one kobo of government funds for political purposes. So, the party, like any other institution, will have to raise funds. Occasionally, we don’t get all the funds that we require to meet all our commitments, but things are improving on a daily basis and very soon, all these will be things of the past.

    What was the major challenge you faced since assuming office as the national chairman?

    There are challenges everyday. so, it is difficult to pick on one as the most challenging. but, the main issue I can say is the arbitration between the different major interest groups in the party. It is an ongoing thing but in spite of that, the party is coalescing into one strong force despite the occasional outbursts of dissatisfaction of leaders and the problems that we have in the National Assembly which we are now getting on top of in order to ensure that there is civility and amicable relationship.  That does not mean that everybody must agree with one another but it means that in our disagreement, we must be civil and principled.

    Some members of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) recently protested against what they called alleged marginalisation by President Buhari. What is your view on that as the national chairman?

    I don’t know about that because we no longer have CPC, ANPP and ACN members anymore. I wonder why anybody, for purposes of forming a pressure group, will still go back and exhume names that have long since buried. We have no such members in our midst. We only have APC members and if anybody within that family has an interest he wants to push, they have the liberty to do that, but not to go back into history that is long forgotten. So, I don’t know of any CPC members in APC.

    Can you say you were fair in your handling of controversy surrounding the governorship elections in Kogi?

    There is no problem in our handling of the Kogi governorship election. The court has pronounced on that and that is the final word. They went to court and the court has said we did the right thing. So, the case is closed.

    Many Nigerians have criticised you for saying you will beg President Buhari to seek re-election in the 2019 general election. Given his state of health, don’t you think it is best to advise the president to rest so as to attend to his health?

    This is a free country. I have my views and I have expressed them. Why do I say so?  I said so because the main gift President Buhari is giving to this country is what he represents and that is his absolute integrity.  What Nigerians should aspire to be, the kind of country that we want Nigeria to be. a country where a man’s yes is his yes. A country with leadership that treats with respect public resources, a nation that is disciplined; a nation that is not wallowing in indecent corruption that we have today that is making one ashamed, that is what Buhari represents.  He is like a General leading a charge against the major ills of this country. The job is so enormous that one term cannot do it. The job is so enormous that two terms cannot do it. Even after President Buhari’s tenure, we still need people like him to continue in office. So, my prayer is that God gives him robust good health and once he enjoys that, of course as an individual, I will work that he comes back for another term. But those things are in the hands of God because we are not God and we cannot play God. I am only saying that because of the enormity of the task that we are facing. When we talk of change, a lot of people talk about physical change. The main one is the change in the mentality and ethics of Nigerians, especially the attitude of Nigerians to right and wrong. So, the task is enormous and we need continuity in principled leadership which President Buhari represents.

    Do you think the APC still enjoys the support it got from Nigerians in the 2015 general elections?

    Every election that we have held so far has indicated that. We know that things are hard at the moment but we are grateful to God that people do understand how that came about and they are giving us all the opportunity to come out of it, and which President Buhari is determined to do. We are beginning to see an upward swing and there is no looking back.

  • Oyegun calls for ceasefire as Saraki demands respect

    Oyegun calls for ceasefire as Saraki demands respect

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has called for ceasefire, in what he described as “the kind of abuse being used on one institution of government or the other, even among principal parties of these institutions”.
    Oyegun made the appeal yesterday after a closed door meeting between the leadership of the party and its Senate caucus.
    But Senate President Bukola Saraki demanded respect for the Senate and its leadership, saying some people should not ridicule the Senate just to further their selfish interests.
    Speaking with reporters shortly after the meeting, Odigie-Oyegun commended the legislature for what he described as the “degree of cooperation” it has been extending to the executive.
    Admitting “seeming differences under the surface”, the party chair urged the various arms of government to maintain some level of respect and civility for one another.
    “Once that is done, I can assure you and assure the nation that in the next couple of weeks, we will have a new level of amity, cohesion, cooperation and mutual respect between the different arms of government and the party; the executive, the National Assembly and the party.
    “We have assurance that the budget is going on and is going on very well. I might as well say it and I should have said it when we were inside; that the report I get, or the briefing I get from the minister of Budget is that the National Assembly has been very, very cooperative in the interactions between his ministry and also between the different ministries.
    “One appeal I have to make that it is necessary for all levels of government to maintain some level of respect and civility one to the other.
    “And my appeal is as we start now the process of reconstructing relationships and consultations, there should be what I will call a ceasefire in terms of the kind of abuse that is used all round on one institution of government or the other, even principal parties of these institutions,” Oyegun said.
    Saraki said the Senate was more concerned with fundamental issues that are more important to the people.
    According to him, the Senate would be focused on major issues and would not be distracted in its mission of providing time tested pieces of legislation for the people.
    He, however, harped on the need to respect democratic institutions, adding that people should not ridicule these institutions for selfish interests.
    Said he: “As I said yesterday, some of these issues that we have, I don’t believe they are more fundamental and important to our people than the issue of budget.
    “Despite all the noise you heard last week, we still passed an amendment to the INEC law that had been there for over six or seven years.
    “By this time next week, our committee on Petroleum will lay the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has never been done. We are focused on the major issues and we are not going to be distracted with that. And we are still going to do our work.
    “It’s unfortunate but the most important thing is that a lot of stakeholders must respect these institutions. These institutions are there now and they are going to be there after and we should not allow our selfish interest to enable us to try and ridicule the institutions. The institution is what we have and we must ensure that we respect that.”
    Saraki thanked the party chairman and his team for meeting with the senators, saying “it’s a good development because we are all part of one umbrella as a party”.
    He maintained that whether there are issues or not, regular consultations between the legislative arm of government and the party is important.
    Asked to comment on the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months by the Senate, Saraki dismissed the question as “a distraction”.
    “Your question again is distracting from the issues. You have 108 senators here. And you have the National Chairman. Let us focus on national issues,” Saraki retorted.
    The Senate had on Wednesday, last week, suspended Ndume for urging it to investigate allegations of importation of a N298 million bullet proof Range Rover with fake Customs documents. The vehicle has since been seized by the Customs Service.
    Ndume had also drawn the attention of the Senate to the allegation of certificate forgery against Senator Dino Malaye (Kogi West), as reported by an online publication, Saharareporters.
    The senator representing Borno South was suspended for six months, ostensibly based on a report by the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
    His colleagues accused him of unnecessarily distracting the attention of the Senate on allegations based on “rumours” and for failing to investigate the allegations before raising them on the floor of the Senate.

  • Crisis: Oyegun calls for ceasefire as Saraki demands respect

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Tuesday called for ceasefire, in what he described as “the kind of abuse that is used all round on one institution of government or the other, even principal parties of these institutions.”

    Oyegun made the appeal after a closed door marathon meeting between the leadership of the party and party’s Senate caucus.

    But the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, demanded respect for the Senate and its leadership, saying some people should not ridicule the Senate just to further their selfish interests.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Chief Oyegun commended the legislature for what he described as “degree of cooperation” it has been extending to the executive.

    Oyegun appealed to the various arms of government to maintain some level of respect and civility for one another.

    “Once that is done, I can assure you and assure the nation that in the next couple of weeks, we will have a new level of amity, cohesion, cooperation and mutual respect between the different arms of government and the party; the executive, the national assembly and the party.

    “We have assurance that the budget is going on and is going on very well. I might as well say it and I should have said it when we were inside; that the report I get, or the briefing I get from the minister of budget is that the National Assembly has been very, very cooperative in the interactions between both his ministry and also between the different ministries and the National Assembly.

    “One appeal I have to make that it is necessary for all levels of government to maintain some level of respect and civility to each other.

    “And my appeal is as we start now the process of reconstructing relationships and consultations, there should be what I will call a ceasefire in terms of the kind of abuse that is used all round on one institution of government or the other even principal parties of these institutions,” Oyegun said.

    Also speaking with journalists after the meeting, Saraki said the Senate was more concerned with fundamental issues that are more important to the people.

    According to him, the Senate would be focused on major issues and would not be distracted in its mission of providing time tested legislation for the people.

  • Buhari’s absence hasn’t affected running of govt, says Oyegun

    Buhari’s absence hasn’t affected running of govt, says Oyegun

    •Party’s non-elective convention holds April 29

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said yesterday the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari had not affected the running of government.

    Speaking at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with governors elected on the party’s  platform, Oyegun accused some Nigerians of using the social media to distabilise the polity with their unwholesome speculations about every move of the party.

    The meeting was attended by 12 of the 24 governors elected on the APC platform.

    Three others were represented by their deputies. The rest were absent.

    Governors at the meeting are: Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

    The governors of Lagos, Oyo and Niger were represented by their deputies.

    Governors who were absent and not represented are: Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Raul Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosu (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Kashim Shetima (Borno) and Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe).

    Oyegun said: “It is important to say that our meeting today has absolutely nothing to do with the health status of the President. Today, the papers were replete with all manner of speculations.

    “It has become the pastime of the social media to carry all manners of fake and totally out of line speculations as to any step that we take on virtually any issue. I think this is something that we have to talk about later.

    “What makes me happy, in spite of these negative speculations and attempt to destabilise the polity is that, thanks to his respect for due process and the constitution of this nation, the President has left a structure that is functioning very effectively in spite of his unfortunate absence.

    “One can say quite clearly that the wish of Mr. President is that the government will continue to function efficiently and effectively and that the party also should continue and proceed to execute its normal duties and functions.”

    Oyegun blamed what he called miscommunication for the absence of some of the governors, saying: “I am quite aware that due to miscommunication, a lot of you became aware of this meeting today and the fact that you are here is a matter of deep pride.

    “The purpose of the meeting is very clear. There are lots of things that must happen in preparation towards our non-elective convention, which the states must be actively involved. We are going to have state congresses, ward congresses and fill vacancies. We will take the opportunity to feel every single vacancy at all levels of the party arising from death, appointment and others. We are also required to elect three delegates that will participate in the forthcoming convention.”

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said the meeting resolved that the governors and the leadership should meet monthly to discuss issues affecting the party.

    He said the meeting drew a time-table for the non-elective convention scheduled for April and also resolved to continuously support the party and the government.

    The communique issued at the end of the meeting said meeting reviewed the state of the party, x-raying the challenges facing the APC in relations to funding and financing.

    “It was agreed that the party is not effectively funded as it should be. A new funding mechanism was, therefore, devised based on a planned continuous membership registration exercise across the country. The meeting agreed that this is the only sustainable way to fund the party.

    “The meeting also discussed the situations in some of the state chapters of the party, and it was agreed that an effective conflict resolution mechanism will be put in place to stem the tide of internal dissension and resolve existing issues.

    “As we near the midterm, the meeting also resolved to launch a project to showcase the accomplishments of APC governors in all the 24 states controlled by the Party.

    “The upcoming non-elective convention was also discussed and it was agreed that the convention will take place on April 29th.

    “The meeting acknowledged that the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari has been away longer than was originally envisaged. The meeting however, commended the President for following the rule of law by allowing the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to assume proper leadership and by so doing saved the country the kind of trauma that was experienced in the past.

    “The meeting commended the Acting President, the leadership of the National Assembly and the APC governors for standing strong and ensuring that government continues to run smoothly, while praying to the Almighty God to bring the President back safe and sound.”

  • Lawan’s emergence as Senate leader victory for party’s supremacy, says Oyegun

    Lawan’s emergence as Senate leader victory for party’s supremacy, says Oyegun

    THE emergence of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the Leader of the Senate is the triumph of party supremacy, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said yesterday.
    He added that it was an indication that one of the crises that threatened the party had been dealt with.
    Oyegun, who spoke when the leadership of the APC Senate Caucus visited the party’s National Working Committee, said it was gratifying to note that one of the major issues that had been a thorn on the party’s flesh and tended to inhibit the smooth-running of the Senate had been put to rest.
    He said why the party regretted that it took so long to arrive at the new position, “what is important is that it has finally happened. What is important is that the APC Caucus in the Senate is now a one united body. The APC caucus in the Senate will now take full charge, full control and full dominance as the governing party and the majority party in the Senate.
    “What is important is that with the action of our partners in the Senate, there is now clear, full reconciliation between the National Assembly and the party. It is also clear that given the fact that we are a party of change, certain principles must be observed.
    “What is right is what is right and it is now clear that the authority and the supremacy of the party have finally been recognised, which is a critical ingredient to the smooth-functioning of the apparatus of governance.”
    “Today, we can stand up and tell the whole world with full-confidence that these things they used to refer to as crises within the APC are now on the way to fully and permanently put behind us.
    “Today, we have a united party, a united Senate and a Senate that is firmly under the control of the APC. That will only mean one thing and that is the fact that we recognise the challenge before this nation. We all recognise the fact that we must line up behind Mr. President.
    “This is a critical year and we have a beautiful budget. The Senate is united, the party is strengthened and consolidated and so, it is time to put our weight behind the Executive to show that the project is fully and faithfully executed so that the people of this nation will begin to see the change that we promised.
    “It is not yet Uhuru because there is still a lot of hard work for the party and the Senate as well as the Executive.
    “But united and together without the distractions of the past, we can now look at the nation and say yes, 2017 will be a year when the major problems of this nation will start to be put behind us.”
    He, however, said the removal of the former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, “was not as a result of any misdeed on his part or as a result of loss of confidence of his colleagues, but as a result of a necessary act that had to be done to reunite the Senate”.
    Senate Leader Senator Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe North, said with the decision of the APC caucus, party’s factions in the Senate have collapsed into one united family and ready to work for the party’s interest and the nation.
    Lawan reminded the party’s leadership that at this critical stage in the life of the APC government and with the unity now existing within the party in the Senate, the APC government has no reason not to deliver on its campaign promises.

  • Oyegun may get ambassadorial job

    Oyegun may get ambassadorial job

    There were also indications that former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole is being considered to succeed APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun if the chairman accepts an  ambassadorial posting for which he is being considered by the Presidency.
    Although Oyegun’s tenure is due to end in 2018, some power brokers in the Presidency are pushing for a “choice ambassadorial appointment for him in appreciation of his role in defeating the PDP in 2015.”
    Oshiomhole is said to be favoured by some APC governors for the post in view of his antecedent as a labour leader.
    But some APC leaders want Oyegun to serve his full term in office instead of being “compensated.’
    Another source added: “From the look of things, Oyegun may get an ambassadorial posting which will make him to technically vacate office. They said Oyegun deserves a befitting appointment for leading an opposition party to defeat a ruling party.
    “Some forces in the Presidency are looking forward to Oshiomhole as a respectable figure who can fit into the big shoes of Oyegun.
    “Those who support Oyegun see ambassadorial appointment for a politician as a “sort of exile” which is not good.  They are reading a plot into the offer in order to ease out the APC National Chairman.”
    Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari  met with Oshiomhole at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    Oshiomhole’s visit was his first to the seat of government since leaving office in November.
    Asked by State House correspondents to state his mission to the Villa, the former governor simply said he was there to exchange pleasantries with President Buhari in the spirit of the time.
    During his state visit to Edo State in the twilight of Oshiomhole’s administration, President Buhari described Oshiomhole’s performance as “excellent”, adding that he would be useful at the federal level.

  • We are not threatened by mega party – Oyegun

    We are not threatened by mega party – Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has declared that the party is not threatened by the formation of a “mega party” ahead of 2019.

    He said the APC is rather focused on its mission which had been made difficult by the current economic situation worldwide.

    Oyegun, who spoke with journalists on Tuesday, said those behind the formation of the mega-party should be encouraged in order to have a formidable opposition to the ruling APC.

    He absolved some leaders of the APC of being behind the formation of a new party.

    The APC chairman said he has met with some leaders of the party including the leadership of the National Assembly and a former vice president, adding that “we are waiting for the arrival of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu so that we can also meet with him and have meaningful discussion because he is a well-respected leader of this party.”

    “We don’t feel threatened at all. No mega party will survive the APC. I don’t know where the name mega party suddenly came from in the lexicon of politics in this country. We will infact encourage a mega party, because with the gradual collapse of PDP, we want a party that can make us sit upright and be on our toes in terms of delivery of services to our people.

    “A party that will make us feel challenged, that will make democracy real and offer the people a real choice. We are not threatened at all. We are focused on our mission made difficult by the current economic situation worldwide, which of course is compounded by the collapse of the oil market. We are reforming this country, reforming it ethically, morally and economically by building a fresh economic base which will no longer depend on the extractive industry which does not involve the people.”

     

  • My statement on Rivers rerun misquoted —Oyegun

    My statement on Rivers rerun misquoted —Oyegun

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has accused The Nation newspaper of fabricating a false and malicious publication on him.

    In a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Edwin Ikhinmwin, Chief Oyegun accused the newspaper of misrepresenting his address at Thursday’s Port Harcourt rally where leaders of the party asked supporters in the state not to be intimidated but go all out for today’s rerun election.

    The Nation had quoted Chief Oyegun as saying that he supported what he described as the fire-for-fire approach of party supporters in the state, saying, “I think I support your slogan: if you shoot me, I will shoot you, if you kill me, I will kill you. Go out there and vote for APC. Don’t be afraid of them. You are protected. We have the federal might to protect you.”

    Singling out The Nation for attack, the statement said: “The attention of the Office of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is drawn to The Nation newspaper’s libelous misrepresentation of the (APC) National Chairman’s comments at Thursday’s mega rally the party held ahead of Saturday’s legislative re-run elections in Rivers State.

    “The newspaper, in its front page report (published Friday, December 9, 2016), titled ‘Rivers rerun: APC tells supporters to fight back,’ falsely quoted the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as calling for a “fire for fire approach” and calling on APC supporters to “shoot” and “kill” during the Rivers re-run election.

    “The libelous comments are clearly a most wicked fabrication and are also at odds with the party’s zero tolerance policy for violence.

    “After a thorough review of all news reports from the mega rally, which was transmitted live on television, it is curious that only The Nation newspaper quoted the APC National Chairman as having made the fabricated statements.

    “The media and general public are advised to disregard the fabricated statements.

    “The statements are false, ill-motivated, mischievous and irresponsible.

    “The party’s legal department has since written The Nation newspaper requesting a retraction.

    “The journalism profession across all platforms – online, print and electronic – has a duty to adhere strictly to ethical standards expected of the journalism profession. No news medium is exempted from these ethical standards.

    “The APC National Chairman has consistently advocated for peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections. The National Chairman will not be part of any plan that will lead to loss of innocent lives.

    “The comment by the National Chairman at Thursday’s mega rally was clear. The APC is on a rescue mission in Rivers State to save the people from the blood thirsty and oppressive regime in the state.

    “He called on APC supporters to protect their votes. He expressed the determination of the federal government to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible Rivers state re-run election on Saturday through the massive deployment of security, so that voters do not stay away out of fear.”

  • APC at critical juncture, says Oyegun

    APC at critical juncture, says Oyegun

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday said the party is at a critical juncture in its existence.

    Odigie-Oyegun spoke yesterday after the maiden meeting between the party’s top administrative body, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the leadership of the Senate led by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    With him were Senate Leader Ali Ndume, Deputy Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Whip Prof. Sola Adeyeye, Deputy National Chairman (South,) Chief Segun Oni, National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and National Treasurer  …. joined the Chairman to receive

    Oyegun said: “Unfortunately, it is clear that there were false steps since we came into office which created problems and the very nature itself of the amalgamating parties, created its own issues all of which have tended, up till now to have affected the mode of operations and the level of interactions among the various arms of government and the party.

    “So, we have a unique, God-given opportunity to take a look at ourselves, take a look at the National Assembly, look at the party and look at the way we all interact between ourselves and the governed and it is my hope that this will be the very best of this high-level interaction.

    Oyegun said even though it was the first interaction between the NWC and the senate leadership, “it is better late than never.”, To Oyegun, the party was “at a critical juncture in its existence.

    “We have the opportunity to take a strong look at the party, an opportunity to take a strong look at our control of the senate, the opportunity to draw up a new basis of cooperation between the party, its members in the Senate and of course the executive because we all belong to one party.”