Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has reacted to reports that he is nursing the ambition to return as the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ).
In a statement signed by Victor Oshioke, his media aide Oshiomhole who pledged allegiance to the Governor Mai-Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee of the APC accused Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour as the brain behind the fake report.
Ordinarily we would have ignored this nonsensical suggestion. However, it is pertinent to set the records straight and put to rest this ridiculous falsehood being marketed by Eze Chukwuemeka Eze”.
“Festus Keyamo was in the forefront and indeed provided legal support through his personal legal assistants who went to court and argued on behalf of those that filed cases for the removal of Oshiomhole as national chairman of the APC. Keyamo also offered legal advice on the legality of the NEC that was convened for the dissolution of the Oshiomhole led National Working Committee of APC and emergence of the Governor Mai-Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee.
Alternatively, he could have sought a private audience with Mr. President or write a confidential memo to Mr. President and explain why his earlier opinion supporting the dissolution of the NWC and setting up of a Caretaker Committee has changed or no longer tenable. Instead he went to the market with his bogus arguments.
“His action is reminiscent of the indiscipline from some senior leaders of the party which Oshiomhole sought to deal with decisively as national chairman.
“A Minister certainly should know better how to communicate his concerns with Mr. President and party leadership in a truly constructive conversation behind closed doors.
“The truth of the matter is that Mr. Keyamo seems to have lost out in the power play and failed to secure the benefits he anticipated in Oshiomhole’s removal from office with the consequent dissolution of the NWC and other structures of the party. This is the main reason for his self serving new legal opinion which contradicts his earlier stance.
He takes serious exemptions to his name being dragged into an issue that he has no hand in.
“This is an opportunity to further reaffirm Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalty to the APC under the able leadership of His Excellency, Governor Mai-Mala Buni.
Oshiomhole’s position is that all hands should be on deck to support the Governor Mai-Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee to complete its assignment rather than creating distractions that are counterproductive to the mandate of the committee.
“He congratulates Governor Mai-Mala Buni and the entire members of the Caretaker Committee for their efforts in depleting the ranks of governors of the Peoples Democratic Party by winning 3 of them into the APC fold.
With the successful conduct of the Ward Congresses nationwide, the Committee should be encouraged to proceed with the Local Government Areas, State Congresses and eventually the National Convention of the party”.
