By Dipo Olowookere
A group known as the Pro-Democracy Alliance has demanded for the immediate resignation of national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole.
A statement issued by the organisation also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to order.
According to Pro-Democracy Alliance, they want these requests granted as a result of what it described as the duo’s “undemocratic” roles in the conduct of the Ogun State governorship primary of the APC, which the group claimed was won Mr Adekunle Akinlade.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the group lambasted Mr Oshiomole for orchestrating a ‘show of shame’ in disregard of the democratic decision of members of the APC in the state, who on Tuesday “overwhelmingly” voted for Mr Akinlade as the party’s flag bearer in the March 2019 governorship election in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Olusegun Soyoye accompanied by other leaders of the group said it was sad that those who were entrusted with positions of high responsibility such as the National Chairman and even the Vice President of the country have proven to be incapable, while also employing every undemocratic means, to undermine the democratic decision of the people of Ogun State by desperately attempting to foist an aspirant, who came in 3rd position, Mr Dapo Abiodun, on the party through illegal means.
The group further said the alleged infamous role of the APC National Chairman, in active connivance with Mr Osinbajo, clearly negates the principles upon which the APC as a party was formed and pursuant to which it has become a party of choice to Nigerians, particularly the people of Ogun State.
“For the purpose of clarity, and we wish to inform you that we active monitored the Ogun State gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, where members of the APC in the state voted Abdul-kadri Akinlade with a total of 190,987 votes, Mr Jimi Lawal in second position with 5,046 votes, Mr Dapo Abiodun with 3,648 votes, among others.
“We were therefore taken aback, when on Wednesday, the Muhammad Ndabawa-led electoral committee sent to Ogun State by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, which has made itself unavailable since arriving the state, rose from the comfort of their hotel rooms to announce Mr Dapo Abiodun as the winner of the Ogun State governorship primaries without any election held to the contrary in any part of Ogun State on Wednesday.
“We condemn this shenanigan of a very few, who are out to hijack an otherwise peaceful and successful primaries just for reasons of personal aggrandisement as we hereby call on members of APC and all lovers of democracy to resist it,” the group said.
The group therefore called on the President, Muhammadu Buhari and other well-meaning members of the party to direct Comrade Oshiomole and Vice President Osinbajo to immediately hands off their interference in the outcome of the Ogun gubernatorial primary and respect the choice of members of the party over who should be its flag bearer.
