By Ebireri Henry Ovie
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-East, North-West and North-Central have urged national leader of the ruling party and former governor of Lagos State, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other APC leaders in the South-West to throw their weight behind the current National Chairman of the party, Mr John Odigie-Oyegun, who wants another term in office.
There had been reports that both the national chairman and the national leader were at loggerheads and this was even fuelled when Mr Tinubu wrote a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, where he accused Mr Oyegun of frustrating his effort to reconcile warring members of the party.
Recently, some APC leaders from northern part of Nigeria urged their counterparts in the South-West to support the chairman.
They stressed that, “A change of leadership is not on the cards. There is no surprise in the air. The dynamic national chairman is sure to win.”
The northern APC leaders warned that, “We need to avoid deadlock.”
Speaking via a statement issued in Dutse, Jigawa State by the Chairman of APC United Front, Mr Ibrahim Musa, the party leaders praised Mr Oyegun for unifying the ruling party, fostering collaboration and encouraging engagements that neither diminishes others moral worth.
“The result of the APC chairmanship election won’t surprise anyone,” the statement said.
“APC is not a loose coalition of personal and sectional factions,” it added.
They hailed Mr Oyegun for his flexible position on political issues, reconciliation of feuding political groups and his commitment to a greater Nigeria.
“The incumbent, Chief Oyegun will be re-elected for the second time. Party faithful and their leaders in the north are certain of Oyegun’s victory,” the APC leader boasted.
Specifically, they eulogized Mr Oyegun for bringing unparalleled brilliance and unbridled patriotism to the chairmanship job.
“Oyegun is a stabilizing factor in Nigerian politics. His success in the convention will be based on his performance, popularity and honesty. Other aspirants do not pose serious danger to Oyegun. They have nothing to offer,” the leaders said.
They commended South-East and South-South APC leaders for supporting the party’s national chairman.
“We don’t want a southern gang up against the north. We don’t want to be plunged into darkness. Oyegun, a role model and an icon, is held in reverence and affection by the vast majority of Nigerians.
“He believes in the course that seeks to prime humanity to loftier heights,” the leaders added.
