APC CHAIRMANSHIP: Party confirms Buhari’s position

The All Progressives Congress (APC) national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday apparently confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, to be the party’s next chairman.

Buhari was seen to have initially supported tenure elongation of the current APC national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other party executives. However in a clear u-turn, he later called for the convention of the party to allow for election of new party executives.

With his plea that Oyegun and other outgoing executives be allowed to seek re-election, many had thought Buhari would support Oyegun to continue for another term in office.

But the President contrary to expectations of many, was said to have during a meeting with governors of APC on Tuesday, called on them to give their total support for Oshiomhole to succeed Oyegun during the party’s coming national convention.

In what appears a confirmation to that claim, Abdullahi told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that Buhari’s endorsement of Oshiomhole would not prevent others from contesting.

He spoke at the end of a closed-door meeting between the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and governors elected on its platform, noting that the race to the next chairman of the party is open to all.

On the reason for the NWC meeting with the party governors he said, “We felt that such commitment was necessary because some of the party´s governors are already giving the impression that congresses will not be held in some states.”

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Abdullahi also hinted that dates for APC’s congresses and convention earlier announced to commence on May 2 and end with the national convention on May 14, be changed by the party leadership.

“We have agreed that the NWC will go back and take a second look at the timetable and see the possibility for adjustments, because there are other issues. The timetable may be reviewed because it coincides with Muslim’s month of fasting; we must be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan. We shall try to avoid conducting any political activities in that period.”

Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje, who also spoke on the issue of Buhari’s endorsement of Oshiomhole said that the President’s “choice on who becomes the APC next national chairman is his personal opinion; it is not an imposition in any way.”

 

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