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Following the suspension of the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and counter suspension by court of same jurisdiction, one sitting in Abuja while the other in Kano respectively, there are high rumour of consultation amongst the inner caucus of the APC to decide the National Chairman’s faith come 17th March, a date slated for the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting.

DailyTrust reported that a chieftain from the party revealed that notification for the meeting has been passed on by the officials of the party, Babatunde Ogala, the National Legal Adviser and Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the National Publicity Secretary of the party in a joint statement signed yesterday said the National Working Committee (NWC) had dissociate itself from the said notification.


It was revealed that a crack has emerged within the NWC, as others insist the meeting should hold while others are viewing it with scepticism, arguing that NEC would meet every quarter and or at any time which shall be decided by the National Chairman or the two-third majority of the NEC after giving a two weeks’ notice.


The statement added that, Victor Giadom, the Deputy National Secretary of the Party who signed the latter for the notification is by law not qualify to do so, arguing that unless directed by the National Chairman as stipulated by the part’s constitution.


However, the pro and the anti Oshiomhole camps have both pitched tent against each other scheming that their individual plot materialise for the Match 17th. Even as a different faction believed to be pro Oshiomhole, has kicked against the notification for emergency NEC meeting.


Another source disclosed that both camps are working towards wooing each other with a tempting offer to actualise its plot ahead of the emergency meeting.


Oshiomhole trouble started when a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered his suspension, while declaring INEC to stop recognising Oshiomhole as the party chairman. This prompted the Party chairman to approach another High Court with the same Jurisdiction in Kano to challenge the suspension.


Meanwhile, it was the pressure from the anti-Oshiomhole camp among governors of the APC that forced the party to convene the emergency NEC meeting which is expected to be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari.


One of the pro Oshionhole said the removal of the party chairman would amount to effort in futility, alleging that it was being championed by Governor Obaseki and few others.


In his statement, “its local politics within his state that snowballed into this mess we found ourselves. If we say that local politics should determine his fate, it is totally wrong.


“But if it is because of his failure to enforce discipline and stop violation of our party’s constitution that is a different ball game.


“More than half of our 20 governors and majority of our members at the National Assembly are supporting Oshiomhole. There are a few governors that think they are beyond everybody and they are capable of removing him. We will see how it would go,” the NEC member said.


However, for the Obaseki’s camp, the game has been won and lost. They claimed only five Governors were backing Oshiomhole.


One of their members who spoke on condition of animosity revealed their camp has started shopping for Oshiomhole replacement.


He said, “Essentially, Oshiomhole is gone, he lost the support of the president following a lot of allegations against him. President Buhari had since asked that we should ensure that everything is done in line with party’s constitution.


“That was why when the court order was secured, security operatives were mobilised to ensure compliance. The swift deployment of security is a signal that he is gone. Remember when he (Oshiomhole) was asked after meeting with the president on Thursday, he said he could not read Mr. President’s body language. If it was a positive one, I trust Osho Baba, he would tell the world,” he said.


Meanwhile, on the Progressive Governors Forum side, in its memo through their Director-General, Salihu Lukman titled; “That was why when the court order was secured, security operatives were mobilised to ensure compliance. The swift deployment of security is a signal that he is gone. Remember when he (Oshiomhole) was asked after meeting with the president on Thursday, he said he could not read Mr. President’s body language. If it was a positive one, I trust Osho Baba, he would tell the world,” he said.


He said, “With the emergency National Executive Council (NEC) of the APC scheduled to hold Tuesday, March 17, 2019, apart from the issue of appointing an Acting National Chairman, the resolution of cases of so-called suspension of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) would have to be addressed.

 

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