The South-South caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.
The caucus led by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege also dissociated itself from the March 17 National Executive Committee, NEC, a meeting called by Deputy National Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom.
‘’In line with the position of the National Working Committee, NWC, at its meeting of 7th March, 2020, the leadership of the South SouthZone completely dissociates itself from the illegal and unlawfully NEC meeting purportedly convened by unauthorized persons.
“Accordingly, we strongly advise all NEC members from the zone to ignore same and treat any such purported notice of NEC meeting with the absolute disdain it deserves,” the South-South leaders said in a joint statement on Sunday.
The South-south leaders who passed confidence vote on Oshiomhole include: Hon Ini Okopodo (Akwa Ibom), Hon. Amos Jothan (Bayelsa), Sir John Ochala (Cross River), Prophet Jones Ode Erue (Delta), Colonel David Imuse, retd (Edo), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (South-South leader), and Ntufam Hilliard Eta (national vice chairman, South-South).
They attributed plots to remove Oshiomhole to ‘’vested 2023 interests’’ to destabilise the national leadership of the APC, saying ‘’the SouthSouth Zone of our party is absolutely pleased with the leadership of our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole.’’
Restating their support for Oshiomhole, they said: “We state on our honour that the South-South Zone will not stand by and watch individuals, vested interests, and mischief-makers treat our duly elected National Chairman Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomholewith disdain and disrespect. Any unprovoked attack on our National Chairman is an insult and an attack on the South-South geo-political zone and is unacceptable.
“We reject and dissociate ourselves from the brigandage sponsored by mischief makers who are harbouring sinister intentions and motives to disorganize the very foundation of our Party and weaken its electoral strengths, all to serve their selfish 2023 political ambitions,” South-south APC caucus said.
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday also rallied support for Adams Oshiomhole to continue to serve in his capacity as the National Chairman of the party.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly issued by the Borno state APC Chairman, Ali Bukar-Dalori and his Enugu state counterpart, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who are the chairman and secretary respectively of the forum in Enugu.
The statement noted that the forum also voted to defend the constitution of the party at all times and in all places with regard to upholding its supremacy and to wade off all perceived threats by detractors and enemies of the party.
According to the forum, it is on record that the party under the leadership of Oshiomhole won more elections in the country as exemplified in the 2019 general elections. It stated that Oshiomhole has endeared majority and well-meaning Nigerians to the APC in all parts of the country because of his leadership prowess.
“We the executive members of the Forum of State Chairmen of APC, met and resolved that the forum will stand firmly behind the national chairman of our great party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and to defend the sanctity of the party’s constitution by upholding its supremacy.
“We have therefore, resolved to wade-off all perceived and real threats by detractors to inhibit the implementation of democratic ethos as currently being championed by our indefatigable Oshiomohle and which, has given sleepless nights to the opposition party.
“We observed that the issues presented before the two federal high courts that is tearing our party apart are political. Thus, we respectfully request all parties to seek political solutions.
“We urge all parties to return back to the dispute resolution and reconciliation committee set up by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, and led by our founding National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande.
“The state chairmen being members of NEC and critical stakeholders of our party dissociate ourselves from the ongoing brigandage intended to disorganise the peace we have been enjoying in the party.
“These acts if successful would only weaken the political strength of our great party,” the forum said.
The chairmen criticised the alleged level of impunity being experienced in the party in which, unauthorised individuals will issue press statements using the name of the party to unsuspecting public, thereby causing disaffection among the party leadership.
