The internal wrangling rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new turn as an Appeal Court in Abuja affirmed the sacking of Adams Oshiomole as National Chairman of the APC yesterday, 16, June 2020, The Ravens reports.
The judgement of the Appellate court has created a vacuum in the seat of the National Chairman, as members of the APC National Working Committee are sharply divided on who is to fill the vacuum and assume the acting capacity.
A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Issa Onilu confirms the appointment of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the acting Chairman. Ajimobi, The Ravens learnt, is under intensive care as he’s battling a dire medical condition.
Following his appointment, however, a member of the APC National Working Committee who is the Deputy National Secretary of the ruling party, Victor Giadom has disagreed with the appointment of Ajimobi, arguing that he was to act as the National Chairman as a court judgement had also upturned the appointment of Ajimobi as Deputy National Chairman (South).
Information available to our correspondent shows that the NWC meeting was a stormy one as members were sharply divided. While 14 NWC members are pro-Oshiomhole, three are neutral, and three others are opposed to the suspended national chairman.
Those neutral are National Financial Secretary, Tajudeen Bello; National Youth Leader, Sadiq Shuaibu-Abubakar, and National Disabled Leader, Misbau Lawal Didi.
Those in the anti-Oshiomhole camp are Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawali Shuaibu; Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom and National Vice Chairman (North-east), Mustapha Salihu.
Speaking through his counsel, Chief Wole Afolabi, Giadom demanded compliance with the order of the FCT High Court of March 16, 2020, by Hon. Justice S.U Bature that he (Giadom) is to act as the national chairman of the party due to the suspension of Oshiomhole.
According to him, Justice Bature’s order remains valid, thereby rendering Ajimobi’s appointment null and void and of no effect.
The full statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by the publicity secretary of the APC to the effect that Senator Abiola Ajimobi is to act as the national chairman of APC following the suspension from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal.
”We wish to state that the statement must have been issued in complete ignorance of the order of the FCT High Court issued on 16th of March, 2020 by Hon. Justice S.U Bature in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 to the effect that Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the national chairman of the party due to the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman.
“The order was given the same day that the Court of Appeal earlier gave Oshiomhole a temporary respite by staying the execution of the said order suspending Oshiomhole. Now that the Court of Appeal has affirmed the order of suspension, it is only proper that the order recognising Chief Victor Giadom is implemented.
”Consequently, we have written to all law enforcement agencies to implement the said order and anyone who attempts to parade himself/herself other than Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting Chairman of the APC would be facing contempt of court proceedings.”
