Anti-Party Activities: APC Governors Back Amosun, Okorocha, Others Against Oshiomhole

In a show of solidarity, governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have moved against attempt by the national leadership of the party to sanction some aggrieved governors who are embittered over the outcome of the party primaries.

Newsflash247 had exclusively reported last week that some governors who may come under the party’s big stick are Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo.

The party has resolved to take the actions after exhausting all means to placate the aggrieved stakeholders who have rebuffed all entreaties including setting up a reconciliation committee in all the six geo-political zones.

It was also gathered that the issue has polarised the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party because while some members are favourably disposed to punishing them, others felt the party should tarry a little.

To register their displeasure, majority of the governors last weekend boycotted a meeting called by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s NWC.

Oshiomhole had said 20 new governorship candidates of the party and nine sitting governors were expected at the meeting, which, he said, was being held to get to know the governorship candidates.

Only two governors, Sani Bello of Niger State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State were at the meeting.

Though the party did not give any reason why the governors stayed away, a credible source in the party said the governors who operate under the aegis of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) were showing solidarity with their colleagues and will not support any move by the party to wield the big stick on them.

“Yes, it is true that the party may discipline recalcitrant members, no matter how highly placed and from the feelers we are getting some of the governors are not happy about this. This may be the reason why they stayed away from the meeting. I know a particular governor from the South-West who admonished the party to suspend any disciplinary actions till after the elections. His argument was that any actions made to punish anyone now may have negative effects on the party’s chances.

“I also know some of the governors who also believe that injustice to one is injustice to all. So, they have chosen to rally behind their colleagues especially in Ogun, Imo and Zamfara. These ones believe that the governors have been humiliated enough by the party leadership and as such don’t deserve any further punishment”, he said.

He said aside suspension or expulsion, the party can also discipline the governors by dissolving the state exco loyal to them.

“Once the state exco is dissolved and a new one that is not loyal to the governors is constituted, they will be powerless and the party will win the elections”, he said.

Also speaking, a member of the NWC said the party leadership will not be blackmailed by the governors but will do everything within its means to instill discipline in the party.

“The party has done everything possible to mend fences and pacify aggrieved members, especially the governors who are the leaders of the party in their respective states but it seems these ones have resolved not to listen to the voice of reason.

“Daily, they keep abusing the national chairman. In fact, there is a viral video of a governor saying publicly that if the national chairman is the true son of his father and mother, he should come and campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari in his state. Another one also threatened the reconciliation committee not to come into his state. I think the party has had enough.

“One of the complaints against the former national chairman was his inability to instill discipline in the party. Under him, the party lost focus and impunity became the order of the day. That was the major reason why President Buhari threw his weight behind Oshiomhole. He knows him as a no-nonsense labour leader and politician who will bring his wealth of experience to bear in sanitising the party.

“I will advise the governors to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign. Their actions and utterances are inimical to the progress of the party. They should realise that no individual is greater than the party and they are products of the party too”, he noted.

In a related development, the APC has described as untrue reports that it cancelled a planned rally in Kano State to herald the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

There were reports that the rally which was to be held to herald the campaign of President Buhari was called off after security reports that several APC chieftains will be attacked in Kano.

However, speaking with Daily Independent, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Oniru said he only heard about the rally on social media like other Nigerians.

According to him, the APC will first come out with a timetable for its campaigns and will also inaugurate a campaign council before any rally can take place.

“The APC did not plan any rally for Kano State. We didn’t issue any statement to that effect. I am hearing it just the way you heard it too.

“Before any rally, we will come out with a timetable on our programme of activities and we will also inaugurate a campaign council. So, the rumour of a rally in Kano at last weekend is a surprise to me”, he said.

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