• Ex-Edo gov not alternative to Oyegun, says Airhiavbere

Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has met with state governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to solicit their support for former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.

Buhari allegedly seeks to sway the party’s governors in the direction of Oshiomhole, to emerge as the next national chairman of the party, at the May 14 national convention.

The APC, it was gathered, has decided to retain the current zoning formula for its national offices.
Yesterday’s meeting held behind closed doors inside the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.
A top government source, who declined to be named, said the main agenda of the meeting was how governors will work for Oshiomhole’s victory.

It is not clear, yet, if the party’s current national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, will seek re-election “but the president has resolved to support Oshiomhole’s candidature.

“The president called this meeting with the progressive governors, to ask them to back Oshiomhole’s candidature. That was the purpose of the meeting,” the source said.
Meanwhile, APC chieftain in Edo, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, has faulted Oshiomhole’s endorsement by the South South caucus of the party.

Airhiavbere said Oshiomhole is not an alternative to Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
He maintained that Oshiomhole, as a former governor, does not mean he will be a good party chairman “because he has not been tested. Odigie-Oyegun is not only a former governor, as well, but a retired permanent secretary and has proven his worth; given the way he brought his experience to bear in running the ruling party.”

He added that “what is playing out ahead of the APC national convention is an awful way to reward Odigie-Oyegun, after all he has done to stabilise the party and called on APC stakeholders in Edo to rally round and support him for a second term, so that he can consolidate on his achievements.

“The division in the South South is normal and I believe that, if there is healthy competition, it means APC is still very vibrant and it is a party to beat.
“But, Oshiomhole is not an alternative to Odigie-Oyegun. That is the truth and that is my stand.