Oshiomhole: The looming coronation

BY this time next week, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past governor of Edo State, should have officially emerged as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In essence, the national convention of the ruling party at the federal level, where new officials of the party will emerge, will have been concluded. The outgoing national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was seeking re-election, dropped out of the race, thus paving the way for Oshiomhole as the new leader of the party. Even though there were a few aspirants for the party’s top job, Odigie-Oyegun, until he dropped out, was the most visible contender jostling with the former labour leader and the chief helmsman in Edo. Party sources said that even if the outgoing chairman had remained in the race, he would have stood no chance against Oshiomhole, going by the rash of endorsement the former Edo governor had received. President Muhammadu Buhari tops the list of those from whom he has received endorsement after they expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the party at this point in time. The South-South chapter of the APC and the Edo State chapter have thrown their weight behind Oshiomhole’s aspiration. Also, the caucus of the APC in the Senate and the House of Representatives endorsed the former governor when he visited the red and the green chambers to solicit their support.

It was learnt that key leaders of the APC, including Senator Bola Tinubu, also resolved to back Oshiomhole following his track record as labour leader and governor for eight years during which he brought unprecedented development to Edo. Meanwhile, Oshiomhole, last Sunday, commissioned his campaign headquarters at Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja. The commissioning was performed by the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, who described Oshiomhiole as a “brother, a friend, a leader and the next national chairman of the APC by the grace of God.” The occasion was graced by several members of the party in the National Assembly, some outgoing members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, Edo State chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, and party leaders across the nation.

Oshiomhole, who spoke during the commissioning, said he was not scared of the presence of a former governor of Edo, Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, and Chief Ebri in the race for the APC national chairmanship, saying “the more the merrier.” He added, “The presence of these people in the race makes it interesting because, in boxing, you don’t ask a heavyweight to have a fight with a feather weight. So as they are both heavyweights, it will be an interesting convention. And for those of us who believe in democracy, we are not worried about contest. But I am aware that many people at various levels, including governors, senators and party leaders, support me”.

Saying he is working with everybody in the party ahead of the national convention, Oshiomhole disclosed: “My decision to contest for chairmanship, if blessed by God, using our party leaders and members to entrust me with that responsibility, is to be the chairman of everyone, not chairman of some. We want to have an all-inclusive approach to leadership.”

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In a related development, two events happened last week to underscore the popularity of the man to be crowned as the National Chairman of the APC. One of the fellow contenders for the party’s national chairmanship, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, also from Edo State, withdrew and backed Oshiomhole. Emokpaire said he took the decision after consultations with his family and party leaders across the nation. He described the former Edo governor as an amiable leader capable of taking APC to the next level.

On their part, several governors of the party declared their support for Oshiomhole’s aspiration. The governors, who stormed the campaign headquarters of Oshiomhole to make their declaration, include Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) Simon Lalong (Plateau) and the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Bagudu said during the visit, “Our party is looking forward to the chairmanship of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is experienced in the various aspects of national life. We are all confident that our party is structured to maintain democracy. His experience in the recent past as executive governor of Edo State, his experience as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and as a democratic activist all his life, these qualities will be brought to bear in achieving the ideals of the APC. So, we believe he will be a leader who will be the embodiment of the spirit of the party. The experience will help him make our party central to governance”.

Bello said, “The presence of all of us at the campaign office of Oshiomhole speaks volume. It shows the support he is receiving from us and I can tell you he is our man for the job”. Amosun said, “He (Oshiomhole) is one of us. That is why we had to come and identify with him here and you know what that means”. Tinubu, who also visited Oshiomhole alongside the pioneer National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, said, “My visit symbolises solidarity and unity of purpose to continue to bring a progressive party that will carry Nigeria in a progressive manner (to bring about) good governance with courage and commitment”.

Oshiomhole, who expressed joy over the huge support he is enjoying ahead of the national convention of the APC, announced Honourable Farouk Aliyu, a close ally of Buhari, as the Director General of his campaign.

• Okon is an agriculturist based in Uyo