Share!
The National Working Committee (NWC) has affirmed Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as Acting Chairman of the party, following the Appeal Court’s ruling affirming the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman and in line with Section 14.2 (iii) of the Party’s Constitution.
The NWC, having acknowledged the Appeal Court judgement upholding the suspension of Oshiomhole, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu had, on Tuesday, named Sen. Ajimobi, who was previously the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, as Acting Chairman.
Issa-Onilu said the decision was guided by advice from the party’s legal department and in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the party’s constitution, which provides that the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone.”
But, on Wednesday, APC deputy national secretary, Victor Giadom, during a media briefing at the party’s National Secretariat declared himself as Acting National Chairman of the party.
Gaidom based his self-declaration as the party’s Acting Chairman on the order of the trial court that initially suspended Oshiomhole.
“I bring to your notice that on the 16th of March 2020, Hon Justice S.U. Bature in suit no FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 had ordered that, with the earlier suspension of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomohle, I Chief. Hon Victor Giadom should act as National Chairman of our great party,” he said.
“That Order could not be immediately effected at that time because of the temporary reprieve Adams Oshiomohle got from the Court of Appeal on the same date.
“However, having removed the temporary reprieve yesterday by the Court of Appeal and considering the fact that we cannot allow for a vaccum, I most humbly inform you that I have assumed office as Acting National Chairman of our great party in compliance with the order of the court.”
Giadom further nullified the concluded screening for the Edo State governorship primary which disqualified Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from contesting the election, stating that the decision had the backing of the APC NWC.
“As your Acting National Chairman and presiding officer in the NWC, we therefore cancel the decision of the Screening and Appeal Committees of the former Chairman of the party on the Edo primary,” he said.
He described the screening as a “brazen rape on the rule of law” and asked all aspirants in the governorship Primaries to report for fresh screening between today, Wednesday and tomorrow, Thursday. “Call on all aspirants to remain in the All Progressives Congress as we guarantee fairness and justice to all concerned,” Giadom added.
“The schedule and time for each aspirant shall be communicated.”
However, after a meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat, the APC NWC disowned Giadom and affirmed Sen. Ajimobi as the Party’s Acting National Chairman.
According to Issa-Onilu, in a statement on Wednesday, due to unavoidable absence of the former Oyo governor, the NWC unanimously appointed the Party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Prince Hilliard Etta to act on Sen. Ajimobi’s behalf.
The action, according to the APC National Publicity Secretary, was backed by the Party’s constitution, which empowers the NWC to appoint one of its members in acting capacity and stipulates that “the acting National chairman must be from the zone of the National Chairman”.
The statement further listed a seven-member election committee to conduct the June 22 Edo State APC Governorship primary, which included, Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma who will serve as Chairman, and Senator Ajibola Basiru, as Secretary.
Others are Alh. Abdullahi Abass, Hon. Ibrahim Sabo, Hon. Ocho Obioma, Hajia Amina Lantana Muhammed and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Also listed were the Primary Election Appeal Committee, which had Prof. Mustapha Bello as Chairman and Dr. Kayode Ajulo as Secretary. Others are Hon. Umar Ahmed, Nasiru Ibrahim Junju and Hon. Rasaq Mahmud Bamu.
“The party also noted the recent ruling of a High Court which declared Hon. Igo Aguma as the Party’s acting chairman in Rivers State. In compliance with the court ruling, our party has recognised Aguma has Rivers State acting Chairman pending when new congresses will be held to elect party executive members at the ward, local government and state levels,” the statement further added.
“Sixteen members of the NWC attended the meeting held at the Party’s National Secretariat (13 members attended physically and three others joined the meeting online).”
