Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said he has no intention to return to his former position as national chairman of the ruling party.
In a statement personally signed by him on Monday, Oshiomhole said even if he was given a second chance by either the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party or a court order, he would reject it.
The statement, according to him, was in reaction to a suit filed by a member of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) of the party challenging the dissolution of the committee.
“In reporting the legal action taken by a member of the dissolved National Working Committee of the APC, some attributions have been made to the effect that the plaintiff is an ‘ally of Oshiomhole’ or an “associate of Oshiomhole. The court documents are clear on who is the plaintiff,” the statement read.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 21-member NWC under my leadership largely worked cohesively and harmoniously. The only exceptions were those of the three members used by forces desperate to take control of the party. They contrived a crisis and abused the judicial process to undermine the constitution and integrity of the party.
“The majority of 18 members worked as a team and not as allies or loyalists of anybody. When the National Executive Committee in its wisdom dissolved the NWC, I immediately announced publicly that I accepted the decision, regardless of its illegality or otherwise, as it affected my position as national chairman.”
The ex- APC chairman stressed that he personally announced his decision not to contest his removal from office for personal reasons, saying some members of the dissolved NWC didn’t share his views on the decision not to contest the dissolution in court.
“I can only accept responsibility for my own decision. Subsequently, I instructed my lawyers to withdraw the suits challenging my purported suspension from office by the proxies of those bent on removing me as chairman,” he added.
“That chapter of my political life is closed. Even if another NEC decision or a court order reverses the dissolution, with utmost humility I will decline to return as APC chairman. I am proud of the accomplishments of the NWC under my leadership and I am grateful to the principled 18 members who worked as a team committed to the cause of the party.”
