I’m in a hurry to assume office, says Oshiomhole, as Justice Minister inaugurates APC exco

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, sworn in on Sunday as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he is in a hurry to assume office to tackle the party’s challenges without delay.
Oshiomhole, who emerged chairman of the party at the National Convention in Abuja, stated this in his acceptance speech at the Eagle Square, venue of the convention.
 
He was elected through affirmative vote by delegates, having run as a sole candidate following the withdrawal of his opponents, days before the convention.
 
The former governor of Edo State urged aggrieved members of the party, especially members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) to remain in the APC, which “we jointly built”.
He assured members of the party that his leadership would put in place a conflict resolution mechanism which would handle crisis within the party.
Specifically, Oshiomhole said that he would ensure effective reward system for party members who had worked for its success at all levels.
While paying tribute to the founding fathers of the party, he said that its pioneer interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and National Leader, Bola Tinubu, were outstanding.
He also appreciated the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, saying “since 1999, no national chairman of any political party in the country accomplished what you have accomplished”.
 
In his remarks, Tinubu said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had no moral justification to ask President Muhammadu Buhari not to re-contest the presidency in 2019
 
He described Obasanjo as “a busy body” meddling into the affairs of APC without being a member, and even of any party, after openly tearing his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card.
 
Obasanjo had in January, asked Buhari not to seek re-election in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election, saying he was no longer fit to lead the country.
 
“This man has the temerity of writing a letter.
“What is your business, busy body? Unfortunately, he has torn the card of his party so he does not have one anymore,” Tinubu said.
 
He added that he was happy to be in the APC and for not listening to those who advised him against associating with Buhari.
 
He thanked Buhari for his tenacity and commitment to fight corruption in the country and for working hard to develop the country.
 
According to the former governor of Lagos, the President Buhari-led APC has adhered more to the tenets of internal democracy more than any government in the past.
 
“We thank you that you have offered yourself to re-contest the presidency in 2019; you must run, and you will win,” he said.
 
He said that the winning signs had been displayed at convention, stating “we have changed leaders of our party, not at gun point (ask Audu Ogbeh).
 
“Thank God we have been able to stop looting and abuse of power.”
 
He commended Governor Abubakar Baduru of Jigawa State, who was also Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee for the success of the event.
 
“Baduru, you have delivered in spite of negative prediction that we will never see this day and that our party will fall apart,” he said.
 
He also congratulated Oshiomhole, saying “you are a true reflection of the saying that no matter how short a man is, he will see the sky.”
 
He, however, advised the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC not to abuse the trust reposed in them, assuring it of support of the leaders.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, has inaugurated the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) members.
Malami first administered the oath of office and allegiance on Oshiomhole and the party’s newly elected National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, on Sunday in Abuja.
Oshiomhole, who emerged as the unopposed National Chairman of the party through affirmative vote, consequently administered the oath of office and allegiance on other newly elected NWC members.
Chief Emma Ibediro, the candidate sponsored by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for the position of National Organising Secretary, defeated incumbent Senator Osita Izunaso at the convention.
Ibediro got a total vote of 1,770 to defeat Izunaso who polled 1,459 votes.
APC South-East stakeholders had earlier endorsed Izunaso and two other national officers of the party for re-election.
The stakeholders had also been in a running battle with Okorocha whom they accused of high handedness and mismanagement of the state’s resources.
Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the current APC National Publicity Secretary, scored 2,002 votes at the convention to defeat three other challengers.
Other NWC members that lost their seat through election or declined to contest were Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s National Chairman and its Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawal Shuiabu.
Others are the Deputy National Chairman (South), Mr Segun Oni; National Women Leader, Hajiya Aisha Aliyu Tijjani; National Vice Chairman (South West), Pius Akinyelure; National Youth Leader, Jalo Dasuki; and National Treasurer, Mohammed Gwagwarwa.
The delegates from Imo which produced the National Organising Secretary were barred from participating in the voting process by the chairman of the National Convention Committee because of the parallel executives that followed the state’s recent parallel congresses.
Supporters of Okorocha earlier on Saturday chased away the state executive loyal to Izunaso at the state pavilion, after which the state executive produced by the congress organised by Okorocha’s faction took over the pavilion.
Chief George Moghalu, the party’s current National Auditor, netted over 2,000 votes to retain his position along with Mr Emma Enukwu, also from the South-East, who got re-elected as National Vice Chairman.