Tinubu, Oyegun row splits APC NWC members

The call for the removal of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has divided the APC’s National Working Committee.

Tinubu had, in a statement on Sunday, accused the national chairman of allegedly working against the ideals of the APC in the handling of its governorship primary in Ondo State.

He had alleged that the National Working Committee of the APC had voted in favour of a fresh primary in Ondo State but Odigie-Oyegun overruled the NWC and submitted the name of Rotimi Akeredolu to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the governorship candidate of the APC.

The statement added, “If Tinubu is to choose between John (Odigie-) Oyegun and progress toward a better Nigeria, the choice has already been made. For those who care about Nigeria and its chance for a better tomorrow, now is the time to stand against this brewing evil before it grows to encompass all we have built and all we hold dear.”

It was gathered in Abuja that members of the NWC, especially those from the South-West, were backing Tinubu, whom they argued was at the verge of being disgraced.

Tinubu is also said to be receiving support from some party chiefs, who were said to have felt they had been sidelined in the party under Odigie-Oyegun’s leadership.

A member of the party’s leadership, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said, “I was one of those who cautioned our chairman about the handling of this Ondo palaver.

“He (Odigie-Oyegun) was the one who said we should put the recommendations of the panel to vote, which we did. He asked us to pray but used the opportunity to leave the hall.

“I personally think he is dancing to the tune of some individuals around Mr. President. He should simply step down.”

Asked to comment on the division within the party’s NWC, he said, “Our last meeting made that very clear.

“Six out of the 11 of us present at the meeting voted in favour of a re-run of the Ondo primary; five voted against. Yet, the choice of five was upheld. Is that democracy? You tell me.”

Another member of the NWC said Odigie-Oyegun should not be crucified because he made “an honest mistake here and there. I think this situation is not yet beyond redemption.”

In an interview with our correspondent, another NWC member said, “Let’s be honest, the APC does not belong to any individual. It is a give and take thing. Tinubu asked for and got the VP slot; he has members of his political family in the cabinet and even heads of government agencies. What else does he want?”

A top source in the APC stated that an emergency National Executive Committee meeting might be summoned after the Edo State governorship election to iron out some of the contending issues.

The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Mr. Seguin Oni, in response to enquiries by The PUNCH on the issue, said, “Yes, we have issues within the party but we are resolving them.

Punch