The Progressives Governors Forum made up of the State Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC yesterday, advised the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole to reconsider his strategy to save the APC from declining fortunes. The forum spoke through the Director-General, Mr. Salihu Moh. Lukman.
The DG addressed Oshiomhole through a five page private letter, and also attached a copy of his declaration speech when he flagged off his campaign to become the national chairman of the Progressives Congress (APC). He also copied to all the progressive governors. He echoed the position of the governors that the leadership problems facing the party were getting deeper and in the circumstances the business of building the party will be sacrificed.
Perhaps, as if history is in a hurry to repeat itself, the DG reminded the APC National Chairman that the emerging realities now is that the existing leadership disputes within the party are “becoming more and more complicated by actions, inactions, commission or omission. Worse still, the problems are compounded by the absence of statutory meetings of party organs as provided in the constitution of the party.
“Above all, sir, can we in all honesty justify why Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had to be asked to vacate the leadership of the party on accounts of your management records of the party’s affairs between June 2018 and now?
“Today, more than four months after winning the 2019 elections and almost one year after the last NEC meeting on August 30, 2018, no sign of any meeting in sight. The only organ that is meeting is the NWC.” Lukman asked.
He also referred Oshiomhole to his declaration speech – ‘Repositioning our party for a united Nigeria’ which he presented to APC members and supporters on May 10, 2018, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, when he flagged off his campaign to overthrow Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The DG then challenged Oshiomhole to score himself on how well he has performed. “Out of all the issues, I will kindly appeal to you to just confirm to yourself, which of them you could verify that progress is being made satisfactorily.”
On the crises in Edo and Kogi States, the DG blamed Oshiomhole for playing the ostrich and engaging in self-denial of the political reality.
“Today, with Kogi and Edo elections approaching, similar leadership animosities are defining political life of the party in those states. My distant observation is that there is hardly any different between your approach in managing the party and the way Chief Oyegun had managed it during his tenure. Instead, things have really got worse and painfully, it would appear, you are in denial of this reality.
“One would argue that the expectation of many is that you would be able to deploy those personal skills and attributes in managing the party. Since your emergence as National Chairman, have you been able to do that? Sincerely sir, I don’t want to judge you.
“However, my instinct is to forward to you a copy of your declaration speech APC: REPOSITIONING OUR PARTY FOR A UNITED NIGERIA, which you presented to APC members and supporters on May 10, 2018 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja and invite you to objectively and honestly review it. Out of all the issues, I will kindly appeal to you to just confirm to yourself which of them could you verify that progress is being made satisfactorily.
“Above all, sir, can we in all honesty justify why Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had to be asked to vacate the leadership of the party on accounts of your management records of the party’s affairs between June 2018 and now? Some pointers may be helpful in this respect.
“Many of us who are members of the party could not understand why it took more than two years after winning the 2015 election for Chief Oyegun to convene meeting of organs of the party, notably, National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus. Today, more than four months after winning the 2019 elections and almost one year after the last NEC meeting on August 30, 2018, no sign of any meeting in sight. The only organ that is meeting is the NWC.
“As a loyal party member, I have difficulty reconciling the absence of meetings of superior organs given all the challenges the party is going through, warranting the suspension of three serving governors (two of them now Senators) and two members of NWC. We had challenges that deprived our party the opportunity to contest 20 1 9 election in Rivers, stripped our party of electoral victory in Zamfara, engendered highest levels of leadership animosities in Imo, Ogun, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Ondo, Oyo, etc.
“Today, with Kogi and Edo elections approaching, similar leadership animosities are defining political life of the party in those states. My distant observation is that there is hardly any different between your approach in managing the party and the way Chief Oyegun had managed it during his tenure. Instead, things have really got worse and painfully, it would appear, you are in denial of this reality.
“Perhaps, one needs to ask, why was it impossible to replicate the Edo 2016 model of leadership reconciliation to facilitate some minimum reconciliation in Rivers, Zamfara, Bauchi, Adamawa, Ondo, Oyo, etc.? The cases of the APC being unable to contest the election in Rivers and stripped of electoral victory in Zamfara state is antithetical to the brand of leadership you represent.
“It is a painful reality that we have found ourselves in situation of near stalemate in many states under your leadership. Embarrassingly, our leaders, including your very self, appear to be stubbornly inconsiderate of other options of resolving these challenges. If the electoral loss of Oyo, Imo, Zamfara, Adamawa and Bauchi are not a wakeup call to the dangers that lie ahead, what could have been? Is it that our leaders are indifferent to the possible return of PDP…?” The understandably APC governors asked.
The messenger took the advantage of the letter, to amplify the frustration of several Nigerians as he retorted that in all his years of association with Oshiomhole, he has never imagined that Oshiomhole will ever behave like the chameleon. “… I never imagine that one day you will be so comfortable as to be indifferent to challenges that could threaten our national democratic development. You may be angry why I have to resort to writing you, but I have very little option.”
