Edo APC chairman hails Oyegun for withdrawing from national chairmanship race

THE Edo state Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Anslem Ojezua has hailed the decision of the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun not to re-contest the national chairmanship position in the forthcoming National Convention slated for June 23 in Abuja.

Citing the need for a less contentious convention which will ultimately be in the party’s interest as it prepares for the 2019 general election,.Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo state had on Friday night in Abuja announced his withdrawal from the race, paving the way for his main challenger, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Oyegun had insisted that the move was taken after wide consultation with close political associates and family members and not because of intimidation.

Speaking in Benin yesterday, Ojezua said that the decision by Oyegun was very wise and mature as it would save the party the acrimony and tension which are always the hallmark of party conventions in the country.

The Edo APC party boss said that the former governor has clearly demonstrated that as a Democrat, he is a loyal party member who cares very deeply about the interest of the party.

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Ojezua said: “It is a big sacrifice on the part of Odigie-Oyegun to step down. His decision will go a long way in unifying the party. It will save APC, the acrimony and infighting which normally characterize party conventions in the country. His effort his highly commendable. Here is a man who sacrificed his personal ambition for the common good of the party.”

He added that Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure as national chairman was very successful as the party swept the 2015 election under his leadership, noting that as an elder statesman, he will surely occupy a special place in the party if its history was written.

With the newfound unity and cohesion, Ojezua predicted that the party was set to sweep the 2019 elections just like it did in 2015.