As controversy continues to trail the ward, local government and state congresses of All Progressives Congress, APC, in many states of the federation, President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday had a closed-door meeting with Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.
Recall that governor Okorocha, who is chairman of APC Governors Forum, had vehemently opposed the proposal by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party for tenure elongation of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led executive.
Former Governor Oshiomhole, on his part, had recently declared his intention to contest for the national chairmanship of the party and his declaration has attracted support from some of the party chieftains.
But after meeting the President, the two APC bigwigs declined to speak to State House correspondents that had waited to know the outcome of their meeting with the President.
But a source closed to the Presidency told Vanguard that the meeting was fruitful as it centered on the controversies surrounding the APC congresses and the forthcoming convention of the party.
The source also said that Okorocha presented the challenges facing the congresses in Imo State.
It will be recalled that Governor Okorocha had rushed to Daura, the country home of President Buhari in company of chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, NGF, and Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, to seek President’s order for cancellation of the ward congresses in Imo State.
Besides, the governor had cried fowl that the materials for the congresses in Imo State were hijacked by some party chieftains in the state, claiming there were no congresses.
Even the meeting brokered by the Vice President to resolve the crisis in the Imo State chapter of the party ended in deadlock as the two parties in the matter stuck to their hard positions.
Governor Okorocha was accused of planning to impose his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as his successor in 2019, but his move had been rejected by majority of Imo people, including his party members.
The crisis in the party in Imo State has pitched Okorocha against his Deputy, Eze Madumere, who has also indicated interest to contest for governorship position in 2019 but was told by the governor to drop the ambition for his son-in-law and go for Senate position.
Governor Okorocha is having the national organising secretary of the APC, Osita Izunaso, the Secretary of the Convention Committee, Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu, Senators Ifeanyi Araraume and Hope Uzodinma to contend with in this their fight for the control of APC in the state.
