APC Crisis: I’ll Consult Before Replying Tinubu – Oyegun
The APC leader, in a statement - The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday said that he would consult with stakeholders before joining issues with the party’s national leader,
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the outcome of the party’s governorship primaries in Ondo State. Tinubu had, on Sunday, accused Oyegun of being a fraud and regressive element over his conduct on the outcome of the governorship primaries that produced Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
The APC leader, in a statement entitled: “Oyegun’s Ondo fraud: The violation of democracy in the APC,” stated that the national chairman’s conduct was tantamount to a coup as he (Oyegun) decided to safeguard the fraud done by perpetrating a greater fraud.
He added that Oyegun was forced to undertake his “desperate fraud” in broad daylight and that the party’s national chairman must go. But, the embattled National Chairman told newsmen in Benin, Edo State capital, that he couldn’t be seen heaping invectives on Tinubu, whom he described as a respected leader of the APC. Besides, he said the Edo State gubernatorial poll remained utmost priority at the moment, even as he denied most of the things said about his person in the media.
Oyegun, however, stated that he needed to consult with other key leaders of the ruling party before he could say anything on the contentious matter that compelled the former Lagos State governor to explode in some of the national dailies yesterday. According to him, “Asiwaju is well respected leader of our party. So, I cannot be seen speaking evil against him.
I have to consult properly with other leaders of the party before we make any definite statement. Again, you know we have a crucial election here in Edo which is my priority right now. “We don’t want to lose focus and I know Asiwaju also wants us to win because we all have worked hard for this. So, maybe after the election, if there is need, I will speak if no need, I will relax. “But all I can say now is that most of the things said in the papers about me are not true.
I have always believed in internal democracy, that the credibility of primaries must be taken seriously.” Oyegun stated that he wont join issues with Tinubu, but insisted he doesn’t joke with his credibility. “I believe that if primaries of parties are not credible, it may derail any democracy.
So, I don’t play with these things at all. Everybody knows me and I don’t joke with my credibility and I have tried to maintain it. Like I said, Asiwaju is our leader and we all hold him in high esteem; so I will never join issues with him.
“But maybe after Edo elections, after we must have emerged victorious, we may speak on some of the issues raised. So, there is no problem at all. “Edo is the focus for now and as you know, this is my state. So, it is a very serious election for us. So, I want to be allowed to remain focused, then after the election we can speak,” he added.
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