Politics

CALL FOR RESIGNATION: I don’t have the time for Tinubu now, Oyegun says

Published

8 years ago

September 27, 2016

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said he may only respond to the call for his resignation by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu after Edo State governorship election.

According to him, the Edo election is a priority for now, adding that if there is a need after that, he may respond to Tinubu’s statement.

Tinubu, the national leader of the party had on Sunday called for Oyegun’s resignation over the role he played in the outcome of the Ondo State governorship primary of the party.

Oyegun, turned down the submission for a fresh primary by the Appeal Panel set up by the party to review the outcome of the primary in that state, instead instead submitting the name of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the governorship candidate of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But Odigie-Oyegun, speaking on Monday in Edo State said he would not be drawn into a war of words with a respected leader of the party Tinubu, but may only respond if necessary, after the governorship election in Edo State.

“Asiwaju is a well-respected leader of the APC and as such, I cannot be heard speaking evil against him. You know we have a crucial election here in Edo which is my priority right now. I don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also wants us to win because we all worked hard for this. So, may be after the election if there is need, I will speak if there is no need I will relax.

“But all I can say now is that most of the things said in the papers about me are not true. I have always believed in internal democracy, that the credibility of primary must be taken seriously.

Read also: Tinubu and those who want him dead

“I believe that if the primaries of parties are not credible, it may derail any democracy, so I don’t play with these things at all. Everybody knows me and I don’t joke with my credibility and I have tried to maintain it. Like I said, Asiwaju is our leader and we all hold him in high esteem, so I will never join issues with him.

“But may be after the Edo elections, after we must have emerged victorious, we may speak on some of the issues raised. So there is no problem at all. Edo is the focus for now and as you know this is my state, so it is a very serious election for us. So I want to be allowed to remain focused; then after the election we can speak.”

He added that he would consult appropriately with other leaders of the party before making any definite statement.

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