APC CRISIS: VON chief insists on Oshiomhole’s suspension, doubts success of party’s reconciliatory moves

The Director -General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, on Friday, insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, is no longer a valid member of the party.

In his reaction to the Court of Appeal decision to indefinitely adjourn the hearing on the appeal filed by the APC chairman to challenge his suspension by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the VON director-general told journalists he was skeptical that the current peace overtures would restore normalcy in the ruling party.

The APC leadership had commenced moves to reconcile warring factions in the party.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) during the week lifted the suspension of two party chieftains for alleged anti-party activities.

Okechukwu said: “Without prejudice to the ongoing trial, whether the Appeal Court sat today or not, it must hold session someday, and the main issue remains whether a man suspended by his ward executive can preside over the same association?

“The truth is that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is no longer validly a member of APC.

“Don’t forget that Comrade validated the suspension of Barr. Inuwa Abdulkadir, vice chairman North West, by his ward. It’s trite law that one cannot approbate and re-approbate.

“Like Super King he glossed over his suspension and our great party’s constitution is scant with time, for it allows only seven days to appeal.

“As of now, permit me to state that one was impressed with Mr. President’s intervention, which is fatherly. Secondly, I was also enthused by Comrade Adams Oshimohole’s statement that, ‘I have learnt my lesson. I have asked everyone, whatever they consider to be my shortcomings, for forgiveness and they have forgiven me. I was humbled yesterday at the court.”

“We all factually need peace.

However, as a student of Political Science and one who devoted time to study dictatorship, I am skeptical and bidding my time to believe hook line and sinker Comrade Oshiohmole.

“As a Christian I may have forgiven him, but not all have, for history is not a witness in many instances, where a dictator has changed his colours.

“If he changes for good that will be an exception and we will glorify Almighty God that the virus has been curbed.

“One event which will soonest test Comrade’s commitment to the statement cited above, in the next few days or weeks, is the resolution of Edo State APC’s imbroglio.

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“Albeit, without being cynical, Pa Bisi Akande’s Committee cannot resolve it without his openness. The way and manner he spearheads the reconciliation with his brethren in Edo State, before the arrival of the Akande Committee will tell us whether the Osho-Virus is receding.

“In Edo, he holds the peace banner and crisis flag.”

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