Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: APC primaries

  • APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    APC Crisis: How Amaechi’s intervention made Buhari to recognise Giadom’s faction

    Idowu Sowunmi

    It’s no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has recognised Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman, with a promise to attending the virtual meeting called by Giadom tomorrow afternoon.

    Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari admitted that he has been well schooled and legally advised accordingly on the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman. Because he will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

    “We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.

    “In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” said a statement by Shehu, in response to enquiry by some journalists.

    Sources at the Presidency said Buhari’s new position was made possible by the intervention of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Amaechi’s singular effort has made some political analysts to describe him as the new kid on the block of Nigerian politics.

    “He (Amaechi) understands the game of power. He practises politics with so much dexterity and sagacity. His influence looms larger than life in the Presidency. When he speaks and analyses politics, every one is often taken awe.

    “That’s how he succeeded in winning President Buhari and other key people in Presidency to accept the candidacy of Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of APC. The deal is done. Welcome to a new era in the ruling party,” said the source.

    Amaechi’s intervention was coming after Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and Giadom made unsuccessful frantic efforts to meet Buhari over the APC crisis.

    Though the duo visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night, they could not see the President. Instead, the President’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, attended to them.

    Earlier, Amaechi claimed he had decided to keep out of the crisis rocking APC because he did not want to get involved in politics, noting that he’s not sure what the cause of the crisis was.

    He had said: “What is happening in APC, I don’t know; what is happening in Rivers State, I don’t know. What I’ve done is to keep away from politics. Even if I’m bothered, it’ll be internally.

    “There’s nobody there (in the party) who is a child; we’re all adults. I don’t want to get involved in politics.

    “Nigerians know me for being blunt and honest. Some see it as arrogance, some see it as being brash, whatever it is. What do I need to say that I have not said before? It’s internal dynamics of politics, it’s internal struggle.

    “So, I have said it several times. When we fought in 2015, I said this country cannot continue the way it is going. I’m not helpless, but I’m doing what they call ‘siddon look (sit down and look).”

    But, on Wednesday his politics of “siddon look” took flight to unknown destination as he moved in to save the party from further crisis.

    With Giadom’s recognition, it may be politically difficult for Adams Oshiomhole and his sympathisers to return to the leadership mantle of APC.

    As APC supporters and Nigerians await the official statements of Mr. President tomorrow afternoon during the party’s virtual meeting called by Giadom, one thing seems to be certain for now: there’s a new sheriff in town and the ruling party may not be the same again.

  • Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Unperturbed by his disqualification from contesting the June 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has held a series of meetings at the Government House in Benin City to rally his supporters and determine his next political move.

    There are strong indications that Obaseki may pitch his tent with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Rallying his supporters ahead of September 19 governorship election in Edo State, the governor appreciated the people of the state for their unflinching support and prayers.

    “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki sincerely appreciates Edo people, Nigerians and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, for the outpouring of goodwill and solidarity since the announcement of his unjust disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from the Edo governorship primary election. He thanks them for keeping the faith.

    “We are consulting widely with party leaders and members in the state and other stakeholders and we shall soon brief the public on the next steps we are taking, going forward,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

    The statement explained that the governor’s insistence not to appeal his disqualification was informed by his stance not to kowtow to the wishes of a handful of politicians, who do not have the interest of the people at heart.

    “The governor is unfazed, even as he would soon announce his next line of action. But at the moment, Edo people and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are solidly standing behind the governor. They have declared unflinching support for him and the ideals he stands for.

    “The market women, labour unions, clerics, women groups, the elderly, artisan groups, youths, among others, are strongly in support of the governor’s ambition and his stance to keep the state’s treasury sealed from those who have now resorted to disqualifying him from running under the APC in the gubernatorial elections because of their selfish interests. But Governor Obaseki remains undaunted and unperturbed.

    “For Obaseki, it is Edo people or nothing. This is why he has remained in this battle thus far. Among many other reasons, each of the groups that form the governor’s support base have benefitted from Governor Obaseki’s stance against thuggery and extortion. The governor has enthroned probity and accountability in governance. For labour unions, regular salaries, clearing of over 20 months pension arrears and providing a conducive work environment is what is gearing them to support the governor. The pensioners are fully in support of his policies. The governor has not only cleared pension arrears accrued since 1999, but would soon commence the payment of gratuities.

    “The governor’s loyalty rests with Edo people. He would not trade them away to those who have decided to become godfathers and waging a war of impunity to subjugate the people,” the statement said.

    Why disqualifying Obaseki on Friday, the Jonathan Ayuba APC Screening Committee adduced six why the incumbent governor could not seek second term in office.

    The reasons include:
    1. For claiming to have a Higher School Leaving Certificate which is unknown to the Nigerian educational system;
    2. For allegedly being in possession of an affidavit disowned by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory;
    3. For error in the National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate which bears Obasek as against Obaseki;
    4. For loss of primary, secondary and the Higher School Leaving Certificates;
    5. For alleged violation of Article 21 D (V) of the party’s constitution, which forbids members from taking the party to court; and
    6. For legal precedents occasioned by the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on discrepancies in names.

  • Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Idowu Sowunmi
    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Friday described as unfortunate and disheartening his disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from participating in the June 22 guber primary in the schedule.
    The governor said the situation was quite saddening because APC has failed to live up to expectations as a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    Thus, Obaseki ruled out the possibility of appealing to the outcome of the alleged “unjust screening exercise.”
    “We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is administering and superintending over in our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.
    “We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Governor Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run-up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.
    “It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    “We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
    “We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.
    “We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.
    The APC Screening Committee has disqualified Edo State governor from contesting in the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for June 22.
    The committee chairman, Prof. Jonathan Ayuba, made the disclosure in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
    He said the governor did not present his Higher School Leaving Certificate, adding that the committee could not ascertain the authenticity of Obaseki’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
    Ayuba said the committee recommended that the incumbent Edo State governor was not eligible to contest in the election.
    However, Dr. Pius Odubu and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu were cleared to contest.
    Meanwhile, Ize-Iyamu has expressed gratitude to the screening committee of the party for carrying out a thorough job.
    Ize-Iyamu, in a statement on Friday in Benin by the Director of Communication and Media of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Organisation, Mr John Mayaki, commended the leadership of the ruling party its true spirit and character premised on “a bold insistence on fairness, accountability, and transparency.”
    He said: “I wish to send my deepest gratitude to all the members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for joyful cooperation that led to a seamless but thorough screening exercise.
    “I urge all the members of our party whose indefatigable commitment, loyalty, and cooperation has led to the success we experienced in recent times, to remain focused and committed to our general ambition as a party, and in the same vein pursuant of our personal political dreams in light of our progressive philosophy.
    “As we prepare for the primaries and the election itself, it is time we bind together and close ranks, remembering that the greatest goal is the progress of Edo State, the moving forward of our great homeland, and the betterment of life for all of its people.”
    But, a former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has predicted that the ruling party would suffer “dire consequences” in Edo State on account of the disqualification of Obaseki by the APC screening panel.
    Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Ray Morphy, in Abuja on Friday, described the outcome of the screening as a hatchet job aimed at installing a stooge that would allegedly allow some people unfettered access to the treasury of Edo State.
    “While not a surprise, that disqualification is a clear indication that internal democracy has been murdered in APC, a party which we founded on the principles of fair play and good conscience!
    “I daresay that APC will suffer dire consequences in Edo State if this disqualification is not speedily reversed.
    “As a matter of fact, Oshiomhole is indeed the one who is guilty of anti-party (activities), not Obaseki.
    “Oshiomhole is the one who is acting unconstitutionally not Obaseki. I hope that Oshiomhole will not go down in history as the undertaker of APC,” Odigie-Oyegun said.
    The Chairman of Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anselm Ojezua, Esq., has, however, called for calm among party members and supporters following the unjust disqualification of the governor.
    While noting that Obaseki has performed credibly well and would still be reelected for a second term, Ojezua said: “I want to appeal to leaders and members of APC in Edo State to remain calm. The validity of the Screening Committee has not been established.
    “A proper response to the report is yet to come as the leadership of the party in the state will meet tomorrow and at the end of the meeting give an appropriate response.
    “They didn’t say he will not contest the election but that he will not contest under the platform of the APC.
    “By tomorrow, we will meet and be in a position to make a proper statement on what the future holds for the party in Edo State.”
  • Ogun APC Primaries: Amosun, Oshiomole should sheathe their swords – Adaramola

    Ogun APC Primaries: Amosun, Oshiomole should sheathe their swords – Adaramola

    The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has been advised to put its house in order so as not to scuttle its chances of winning the governorship seat in the state at the 2019 general elections.

    A public relations professional Tope Adaramola warned in an interview that if political actors in the state and at the national level do not sheathe their swords the fortunes of the party at all elective levels might be affected drastically.

    Adaramola who made this known in Abeokuta last Sunday called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole to institutionalize the party and not allow their disagreement put the party in Ogun state in a difficult situation.

    The political analyst also berated Governor Amosun who has been vocal about the situation. He said, “the other man in the person of Dapo Abiodun appeared to be more matured in his outlook and handling of the situation unlike the governor who has been throwing tantrums at every opportunity”.

    It is understandable that it is painful for the candidate of the governor to lose out against his plans and agenda, he should also know that the party is supreme and it is better to have power retained within the house than giving it to the opposition, ADC especially” Adaramola said.

    While commenting on the consequence of the political imbroglio, Adaramola said that the APC is unwittingly strengthening the chances of Gboyega Isiaka of the ADC, a native of Yewa who had contested twice under the platforms of Peoples Democratic Party in 2011 and Peoples Party of Nigeria in 2015. He stated that if all issues are not resolved amicably the situation will whip up sentiments for Isiaka riding first on the Yewa agenda and secondly on public sympathy for coming out to contest for governorship at a record third time.

    About two days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a reconciliation committee to the state who met All Progressives Congress (APC) state assembly candidates to resolve the crisis, which resulted from party primaries in the state.

    The committee is headed by Hon. Sandra Oladele, who assured party members that all aggrieved parties would be reconciled.