Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday, said those after the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole are vindictive members who are hellbent on destabilizing the party.
The forum made the statement against the backdrop of recent court orders suspending the Chairman.
Two High Courts had issued conflicting orders on Oshiomhole leading to the sealing-off of the APC Secretariat by the police and Department of State Security.
The chairmen spoke through a communique they issued after their meeting in Abuja.
The communique was signed by Hon. Ali Bukar Dolari, Chairman, Borno State and Chairman Forum of APC State Chairmen and Dr Ben Nwoye, Chairman, APC Enugu State and Secretary Forum of APC State Chairmen.
They resolved to “stand firmly behind Oshiomhole, and to defend the sanctity of the constitution of the party with regards to upholding its supremacy.”
The party said they had “resolved to wade-off all perceived and real threats by detractors and enemies of the party to inhibit the implementation of democratic ethos as currently being championed by our indefatigable National Chairman Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomohle and which, has given sleepless nights to the opposition party.
“We observed that the issues presented before the two Federal High Courts that is tearing our party apart are political. Thus, we respectfully request all parties to seek political solutions. We urge all parties to return back to the dispute resolution and reconciliation Committee set up by our Leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, and led by our founding National Chairman, H.E. Bisi Akande.
“The State Chairmen being members of NEC and critical stakeholders of our party, dissociate ourselves from the ongoing brigandage intended to disorganize the peace we have been enjoying in the party. These acts if successful would only weaken the political strength of our great party.”
They frowned at what they called “impunity being experienced in our great party, in which unauthorized individuals will issue press statements using the name of our party to deceive the leaders of the party and the unsuspecting public, thereby causing disaffection among the party leadership. All individuals involved in this practice should be mindful that their conduct is prohibited under the relevant sections of our party Constitution.
“We the State Chairmen unequivocally state that the party is bigger than the inordinate ambition of any individual and as such, we will not tolerate any unlawful step(s) by those igniting crisis in our party.
“As leaders of our party at the grassroots levels, we are more concerned with the lack of rewards for our party faithfuls, especially women and youths who worked tirelessly to enthrone this government.
“We urge those bent on destabilizing our party to channel their efforts to giving appointments and other forms of empowerment to our party faithfuls.
“We appeal to all those involved in the court disputes to withdraw the cases for the sake of our grassroot supporters and for the sake of all those who paid the ultimate price to install this government at the federal level and in various states.
“We need stronger and healthier party faithfuls to face the opposition PDP in 2023. We should all focus on strengthening the party and enhancing our reward mechanism instead of weakening the party leadership with manufactured legal claims.
“In 2019, the deplorable situation of our reward system, compelled us to issue a ten day ultimatum in order to secure empowerment for our party supporters. We are still waiting patiently for the fulfilment of the promises of the presidency.
“This fight for personal interests is nothing but a purposeful distraction for our dear President. We appeal to the combatants to allow our President to continue the implementation of people orientated programmes in fulfilment of his campaign promises.
“Removal of our indefatigable National Chairman will not improve the conditions of our supporters or the generality of Nigerian people. It will only satisfy the vindictive tendencies of a privileged few who may have been offended by our National Chairman. This is not in the best interest of the party in particular or the country in general. We therefore, plead to all involved to allow peace to reign.
“Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has positioned and fortified the party to the admiration of all to stand for and win elections in majority of the States in Nigeria as witnessed in the 2019 elections.
“It is on record that the party under the leadership of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole won more elections in the country as exemplified in the 2019 general elections.
“Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has endeared majority and well meaning Nigerians to the All Progressives Congress, APC in all parts of the country because of his leadership prowess.
“In the 2019 elections unlike 2015 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari had 25 percent in the majority of States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory.
“We, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on the National leadership of the party under Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole for his quality, purposeful and directional leadership.
“We vow to stand with our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole and to defend the constitution of our great party at all times and in all places.”
