The call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiohmole by the Deputy National Chairman, Lawal Shuaibu, has sparked division among state chapters of the party.
Shuaibu had, in a letter dated May 27, asked Oshiomhole to resign, claiming that the former Edo State governor lacked the composure to lead the APC, having allowed the party to become badly fractured in virtually every constituency in the country
Supporting the call by Shuaibu, the Imo State chapter of the APC, through its chairman, Daniel Nwafor, noted that Oshiomhole “has overstayed his welcome. Under his leadership, we have lost many seats and positions to the PDP.”
On his part, The APC chairman in Sokoto, Alhaji Sadiq Achida, said, “Of course, if the allegations raised in the letter are true, the national chairman should take a bow, in the interest of the party.”
“The APC in Sokoto State is a victim of the national chairman of our party’s I don’t-care-attitude and negligence. His attitude has ridiculed us and festered impunity and disaffection in the party.
“You will recall that the state chapter, down to the ward level suspended the zonal vice-chairman of our party, Inuwa Abdulkadir, having found him culpable of anti-party activities, among other offences, but Oshiomhole ignored our suspension. As I am talking to you, he has never acted on our case, whether our complaints are true or not,” Chida said.
However, Oyo, Katsina, A’Ibom, Abia states support the ex-NLC president.
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The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the APC, Ini Okopido, said he was not in support of the call for the ex-Nigeria Labour Congress president’s resignation.
He said, “Why should I support such a move? That shouldn’t be especially at this time when we are consolidating our victories. I don’t believe there are issues between the two of them, but if at all there are, the party should sit down as a family and resolve their differences.”
Also, the Oyo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Abdulazeez Olatunde, said the chapter still had confidence in Oshiomhole.
The Abia State Chairman of the APC, Donatus Nwankpa, said, “The party is not a ‘rudderless’ society. The party has a constitution and nobody has changed the constitution of the party. If for any reason there are issues arising, it must follow constitutional provision. So, as far as we are concerned, there is no cause for the removal of the national chairman. It is an expression of individual anger.”
On his part, the Director, Publicity, Research and Strategy of Osun State chapter of the APC, Kunle Oyatomi, said no matter the grouse Shuaibu had against Oshiomhole, the deputy national chairman should not have brought the matter to the public.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the APC in Benue State, Abba Yaro, said the national chairman had tried his best by leading the party to victory in the last general elections.
In their separate submissions, the party chapters in Katsina and Enugu state maintained a vote of confidence in the APC national chairman.