The Acting National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Giadom, has resumed duty at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Giadom stepped into the secretariat at 10:55 am, yesterday, amidst tight security.
His entry into the party’s complex was strictly controlled as security officials at the main entrance checked in essential staff, journalists, amongst others from an authorised list.
Those on the list were handed tags before being allowed in.
Armed policemen from the Counter-Terrorism Unit were stationed at strategic locations around the secretariat.
But reacting, yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum of State Chairmen threw their weight behind the National Chairman of the ruling party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, and unanimously passed vote of confidence on his leadership.
The executive committee of the forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dolari, Borno State APC chairman and the Secretary, Dr Ben Nwoye, chairman APC Enugu State in Abuja, yesterday endorsed the leadership of Oshiomhole and called all detractors to order not to overheat the polity.
The statement tagged, “Vote of Confidence on His Excellency, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress”, the forum said their decision was to defend the sanctity of the constitution of the party and uphold its supremacy.
The statement reads, “We the Executive Members of the Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) met on 9th March, 2020 in Abuja and resolved that the forum will stand firmly behind the National Chairman of our great party, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, and to defend the sanctity of the constitution of our great party with regards to upholding its supremacy”.
Justifying their endorsement, the forum noted that, “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 election.
“Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has endeared majority and well meaning Nigerians to the All Progressives Congress 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”.
The forum observed that the litigations before the two Federal High Courts are political and advised all concerned to seek political solutions. They also urged all parties to leverage on Chief Bisi Akande National Reconciliation Committee to resolve their differences.
The state chairmen maintained that being members of NEC and critical stakeholders of the party, “we 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”.
However, the embattled National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been told to resign without further delay as he is not an experienced politician.
Making the call in a chat with newsmen, yesterday, the National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance (CAGG), Barrister Olusegun Bamgbose, said Oshiomhole dug his own grave by being too aggressive.
The senior lawyer also said that the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, cannot save the former Edo State governor.
Recall that Oshiomhole was suspended by a Federal High Court in Abuja as the APC National Chairman last week.
Justices Danlami Senchi had ruled that the APC National Chairman should step down pending the determination of a suit seeking his removal from office.
The judge had ruled on an application of an interlocutory injunction following his suspension as a member of the APC from Etsako ward 10 in Edo State.
The former labour leader, however, approached the Federal High Court, Kano to quash the order and this has escalated the crisis in the party.
Sharing his opinion on the crisis that has turned the ruling party apart, the Lagos-based legal practitioner said, “This is really funny as one would have expected him (Oshiomhole) to know that it’s only the Court of Appeal that can do that.
“Oshiomhole dug his own grave by being too aggressive. He is not an experienced politician per se.
“He should have known that politics and activism are two different things. He is more of an activist than a politician.
“He should bow out in honour or be humiliated. The APC as a party has already concluded to show him the way out. I seriously doubt if Buhari can save him.