Former governor of Edo State and ex-All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has opened up about the circumstances surrounding his removal from the party’s top leadership position. Oshiomhole asserted that his ousting was a result of threats from influential governors within the APC.
Speaking at the book launch of ‘APC and Transition Politics,’ written by the party’s former vice chairman, North-West, Salihu Moh Lukman, Oshiomhole detailed how APC governors confronted him and issued warnings, asserting their dominance as field generals who would not take orders from him.
According to Oshiomhole, the governors summoned him to a venue of their choosing, emphasizing their authority in the party and their unwillingness to heed his directives. The former APC national chairman disclosed that the governors threatened to exit the party if their demands were not met.
Lamenting the interference of the governors in party matters, Oshiomhole revealed, “They harassed me. Lukman was with the governors’ forum when they had a meeting and decided that they will tell me who they want to be governor. I will do all the formalities, but whoever they want must emerge. And I told them they were talking to the wrong person.”
In a bold stance, Oshiomhole refused to compromise his principles, asserting that he would not succumb to pressure and would not compromise the authority of the National Working Committee (NWC). He recounted telling the governors that if they pleased, they could take the job while he retained his conscience.
The former governor expressed his commitment to upholding his principles and conscience, even at the cost of relinquishing his position. The revelations shed light on the internal power struggles within the APC and the influence wielded by key governors in shaping the party’s leadership decisions.
