APC Governors Plot Oyegun’s Removal For ‘Romancing’ Just Seven Of Them

Seventeen of the governors elected under platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are working towards the removal of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as the party’s National Chairman for running the ruling APC with just seven of their colleagues, The Nation reports.

The governors, who may be tabling their grievances and pass a vote of no confidence on Oyegun at the APC National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting billed for October 31, are said to have reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari on their decision to reject Oyegun’s leadership.

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole is alleged to be backing the plot, as his loyalists have reportedly been lobbying party leaders ahead of the NEC meeting to allow the former governor step in should Oyegun be forced to step aside.

Their grouse with the national chairman is said to have made some governors refuse to assist the party.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, was reported as saying: “Ahead of the NEC meeting of APC next week, there is tension in the party. About 17 of the 24 governors are unhappy with the national chairman. They are plotting to withdraw their support for him, unless he carries all of them along.”

Those siding with Oyegun are listed to include: Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi; Rochas Okorocha of Imo; Solomon Lalong of Plateau; Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Samuel Ortom of Benue.

“The 17 governors believe that Oyegun is romancing their seven colleagues because the APC National Chairman believes they are close to the President.

“They expressed fears that the party might split the way the National Chairman was leaving decisions on issues to the ‘anointed’ governors,” the source added.

Another source said: “Initially, the 17 governors decided to write a letter to the APC leadership but they shelved the idea because it will appear as if they are reporting their colleagues.

“They are, however, reaching out to President Buhari but through the back channels to avoid embarrassing the President during the October 31 NEC meeting.

“They want the President to call the National Chairman to order. They said if care is not taken, they might be forced to come out openly on their concern.”

The report also quotes a member of NEC as saying: “What you are hearing is a game plan to pass a vote of no confidence on Oyegun at the NEC meeting.

“The issues the 17 governors are raising are part of the conspiracy against the National Chairman. And what you are likely to see is the direction where things will go at the NEC session.

“As regards Oyegun’s preference for some governors, I do not think it is true. If the chairman has personal relationship with some governors, I think it is by virtue of their position or performance.

“For instance, the National Chairman does not hide his likeness for El-Rufai who he describes openly as ‘very energetic and full of ideas’. He is always proud of the governor of Kebbi and he relates well with Okorocha as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). He is also used to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdul-Aziz Yari, to get update on issues of governance.”

Another NEC source said Oyegun’s camp was already aware of “the plot”, adding that “in the last few days, strategists of Oshiomhole have been pushing his candidacy as successor to Oyegun ahead of the NEC meeting.

“But the pro-Oshiomhole governors will fail because by the APC constitution, only the Deputy National Chairman from the South, Chief Segun Oni, can succeed Oyegun.”

“The thinking is that Oni could resign at the NEC meeting to contest the Ekiti State governorship primaries. The APC constitution is silent on who takes over.