The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has taken another dimension with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s lead trouble shooter accusing Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman of erecting barriers to peace in the party.
Tinubu in a letter dated February 21, 2018, specifically accused the national chairman of festering the crises through unilateral decisions regarding the crises in the Kogi, Kaduna and Adamawa chapters of the party.
Meanwhile, the APC National Working Committee, NWC has constituted a team of national officers to investigate the fresh rumpus in the Kaduna State chapter of the party which led to the demolition of the factional secretariat of the APC last Tuesday.
Tinubu’s assertions, nonetheless, Chief Odigie-Oyegun Thursday got a ringing approval of his performance as national chairman by the Adamawa State chapter of the party who visited him in his office Thursday.
Tinubu’s in his missive entitled, ‘Actions and Conduct Weakening the Party from Within,’ Tinubu said, “those who were entrusted with positions of high responsibility within the party seemed unable to handle the success given them. Little attention has tendered the principles upon which this party was formed and pursuant to which it was presented to the public as an alternative to the cynical politics of the PDP.”
He said since the election, there have been reports of lack of fairness and openness, leading to crises in the states, while “there have been allegations of self-induced crisis resulting from merchandising of internal processes.”
Tinubu recalled how he recently visited the Chief Odigie-Oyegun led National Working Committee NWC and extracted commitments from them to support the processes of reconciliation.
“Unfortunately, the spirit of understanding and of cooperative undertaking to revive the party seems not to have lived beyond the temporal confines of that meeting. I assure anyone who cares to know that this positive spirit of cooperation did not meet its demise at my hands…Disappointment greeted me when I discovered out that you had swiftly acted in contravention of the spirit of our discussions. Instead of being a bulwark of support as promised, you positioned yourself in active opposition to the goal of resuscitating the progressive and democratic nature of the APC. As a party, we have strived to be the best, present hope for the nation. Yet, your goal appears to be something of a lesser pedigree.”
Tinubu said that even after mentioning the Kogi, Kaduna, Adamawa and Kano chapters as deserving critical attention due to the peculiar nature of their crises, he said the national chairman did not have any restraint rushing to Kogi last weekend to unilaterally “inaugurate a new slate of state officials, parallel to the officials already heading the state chapter of the party.”
“It is my understanding that your dissolution of the duly constituted state executive and the hurried naming of the above-mentioned caretaker group was not approved by the NWC. You had let this situation fester for months on end. Only when I was appointed to help resolve internal disputes and when you realised I might focus early on Kogi, did you stir from your indifference and inaction.”
He said Oyegun’s inaction led to the festering crisis in other states, saying the chairman also failed to avail him of the status reports on the affected state chapters as earlier promised.
“Drawing from your behaviour in Kogi, Kaduna and with regard to the state chapter assessment requested, I am led to the inference that you have no intention of actually supporting my assignment.”
The letter was copied to the president, vice president, Senate President, and speaker of the House of Representatives.
Wades into Kaduna, Kogi Crisis
Meanwhile, the APC has waded into the crisis in its Kaduna State chapter while reaffirming that in Kogi State, the Haddy Ametuo-led executive remains intact.
The decisions of the NWC were taken at the NWC meeting on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by party spokesman, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
“After its executive session which held yesterday, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided as follows: That the unfolding situation in Kaduna State is deeply regrettable and requests all parties in the disagreement to maintain utmost decorum and give opportunity for true reconciliation.
Consequently, the NWC has set up a three-man committee led by Engr. Segun Oni, the Deputy National Chairman (South), to embark on a fact-finding mission to Kaduna State with a view to identifying the remote and immediate causes of the disagreement and the circumstance that led to the demolition of the house of Senator Hunkuyi. The committee is to report back to the NWC within a week. Other members of the Committee are the National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, and National Woman Leader, Hajia Rahmatu Alliyu.
“In respect of Kogi State, the NWC reaffirms that Alhaji Haddy Ametuo remains the Chairman of the APC in the state until the appropriate organ of the party decides otherwise in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Adamawa Assembly Passes Vote of Confidence on Oyegun, NWC
Members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly led by Speaker Kabiru Mijinyawa Thursday passed a vote of confidence on the national chairman and the NWC.
Mijinyawa who spoke on behalf of the legislators said: “There are several partisan criticisms, but the criticisms hold no weight. They are not constructive, and that is why today we are here to register, render and show our appreciation and maximum support to the national executive of the APC.
We also want to register and show our appreciation and maximum support to the state executives of our party. We appreciate them and are in support of them. We are behind them 100 percent,” the speaker said.
Hassan Barguma, majority Leader of the House, on his part said: “For the past three years, we have seen how you have handled the party right from national to states, local governments, and wards. With all these turbulences and encumbrances, we are still the great party that we are.
“Our visit is a show of support for the national executive. We are with you. Despite whatever is happening, there is no impunity in the APC. This good leadership of yours is what has made me come to the APC.
Responding, Odigie-Oyegun said; “In the last few months, I have had the fortune of having nothing but good news from Adamawa. Your colleagues in the NASS have also visited and shown solidarity.
“Today, you are here, and what have you said? Loyalty to your governor, loyalty to your party in Adamawa, loyalty to the national party and loyalty to Mr. President and I don’t think anybody can wish for more.”
