The plot continues to thicken against the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as calls have started emanating for his removal from several quarters within the party.
The former labour leader had raised an alarm alleging that several aggrieved members of the party wanted to remove him from his position as he assured members of the APC that the party was safe in his hands.
Notwithstanding his assurances however, the latest calls for the removal of Oshiomole have come from a coalition of 2019 Presidential Aspirants on the platform of the APC who insist that the national chairman must resign if the party wanted to retain power in 2019.
The coalition alleged that Oshiomhole had attacked all “cells and veins of the party,” resulting in the creation of unnecessary crises across all the states of the federation.
The coalition issued a statement to the effect signed by Dr. SKC Ogbonnia and Alhaji Mumakai Unagha on Monday.
The coalition insisted that it had consulted widely among the party’s major stakeholders which included governors, members of the National Assembly, and youth groups, adding that they had all called for the removal of the national chairman of the party if the party was to survive after 2019.
Consequently, the coalition urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good office to convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to pass a vote of no confidence on Oshiomhole.
According to the statement;
“A fortnight ago, the Coalition of 2019 APC Presidential Aspirants called for the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for his role in the current crises brewing in the party.
Since then, a stream of party faithful around the country has joined to register their support for the immediate ouster of the former union activist.
Unfortunately, instead of seeking peace and assuaging hurt feelings from the primaries, which left the party in a deeper crisis, Oshiomhole has resorted to intimidation, blackmail, and slander.”
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Speaking on the way forward, the coalition suggested that an acting national chairman be appointed to heal the wounds caused by the misrule of Oshiomole.
The coalition further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate cases of imposition of candidates allegedly orchestrated by Oshiomole in the recently concluded party primaries across the country.
They further appealed for INEC to find means of refunding aspirants who paid the exorbitant nomination fees but were denied free and fair participation in the primary elections.