The Caucus of the All Progressives Congress at the House of Representatives on Tuesday endorsed a former Edo State governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, as the next national chairman of the party.
Oshiomhole and the lawmakers had met behind closed doors at the National Assembly for over three hours, where he solicited their support.
In attendance were the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yussuff Lasun; Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, among other leaders and caucus members.
After the meeting, Gbajabiamila spoke with reporters in company with Oshiomhole and Dogara, where the APC leader announced the decision of the caucus.
Gbajabiamila stated that the members discussed freely with Oshiomhole before arriving at the conclusion that he had the qualities to replace Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Gbajabiamila added, “We sat down for over two hours and had a heart-to-heart discussion and we are all on the same page.
“Like he (Oshiomhole) said, he came to solicit support to be the party’s next chairman.
“As a result of that solicitation, we as the APC caucus in the House of Representatives believe in him.
“We have more or less, endorsed him.”
Before the meeting went behind closed doors, Oshiomhole had addressed the lawmakers, expressing concern over the current crisis shaking the APC.
He promised to ensure that all the members of the party remained within its fold if he was elected the chairman.
Oshiomhole also said he would expand the membership of the party.
The former governor added, “I am contesting this position not because there is a vacuum but because I have been an active member and I am convinced that we need to do some things differently to make our party stronger.
“A lot of things are happening now in our party. The problems in some states would have been checked if we had an effective party administration. Though we are having issues because we are a progressive party, with a proactive leadership, all the issues will be resolved.
“They will be resolved in a win-win situation. Everybody must get something.
“I am saying this, because even as a governor, I have never asked party member: Who are you? Because if I do that, on the day of an election, I will be in my village and that person will be in his area and he might punish me.
“I am convinced that working with the leaders of our party, I believe we can build a party that is founded on inclusiveness and not exclusion.
“A party must argue and resolve amicably no matter the issues. There is no problem that cannot be resolved and we must resolve all our problems as party men and women.
“Our party, the APC, will remain strong and we will win the 2019 general elections, God willing.”
READ ALSO: Oyo assembly chooses Ojo, 67 as new Speaker
Dogara, who responded on behalf of the members, thanked Oshiomhole for the visit.
Those on Oshiomhole’s entourage included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon; and Senator Domingo Obende.
source: http://punchng.com/apc-reps-endorse-oshiomhole-for-national-chair/
