Connect with us

Headlines News

Why I won’t re-contest as APC chairman – Odigie-Oyegun

Published

on

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun says Adams Oshiomhole is the architect of his own problems
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun says he will not seek reelection as national chairman of APC

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun says he will not seek reelection as national chairman of APC

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun says he will not re-contest as national chairman in the forthcoming National Convention slated for June 23, in the party´s interest.

He stated this on Friday night in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, adding that, his decision was taken after wide consultation with close political associates and family members and not because of intimidation.

However, he said that the tenure extension that was hitherto agreed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) suffered a set-back following President Muhammadu Buhari’s opposition.

According to him, the tenure extension would have helped to stabilise the party in the face of some of its challenges and may have prevented the crisis that followed its recent congresses in some states of the federation.

He said that some of the party leaders ought to have considered the tenure extension to be in the best interest of the party.

Advertisement

This, he said, would have ensured that the party go into the 2019 elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that was potentially weakened by internal conflicts arising from competitive congresses and convention.

READ: MOPOL shoots Opeyemi Bamidele at reception for Kayode Fayemi

Odigie-Oyegun urged party leaders to close ranks and to make the party a strong fighting force ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“Now that the Convention Committee has invited interested aspirants to obtain forms to contest various national positions in our party, it has become necessary for me to state my position.

Advertisement

“I have consulted widely with my family, friends and associates, even though, I had the desire to re-contest as the national chairman of the party.

“I have decided that it is ultimately in the best interest of the party for me to withdraw from the race,” he said.

“I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead, and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose”.

He advised that a less-contentious convention would be better for the party adding that he had always sought to be part of solving the party’s problems.

Advertisement

“I do not intend to be part of the problem for APC to solve. It is for this reason that I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the national chairman.

“However, I will continue to perform my functions as the national chairman of the party, till my tenure officially ends on Monday, June 25 when a new set of party executives will be inaugurated,” Odigie-Oyegun said.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 ChronicleNG

Discover more from Chronicle.ng

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading