South-South leaders on Thursday took stock of the political situation in the zone,describing the purported endorsement of a former governor as a measure well designed and targeted to rob the zone of the privilege to select the best person for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national responsibility.
“Our attitude is very clear. We completely reject the purported endorsement of a former governor from Edo North. This can do a great deal of harm to the ruling party in 2019 and beyond” the leaders said.
At a meeting in Asaba, the leaders described as utter nonsense claims that a governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi enticed the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC)in order to get the APC gubernatorial ticket in the state.
“It is essential that we fight corruption and incompetence at all levels of government. Oyegun is an honest man and is committed to that fight. His conscience cannot be bought with money” the leaders said.
In a communique read by the Chairman, South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders advised APC members in the country not to allow political clowns, destructive elements and saboteurs masquerading as progressives to confuse them.
Voicing indignation against Oyegun’s critics, the leaders complimented the national chairman for changing the course of Nigerian history,arousing a lot of APC members from a subjugated and subservient position to dynamic political actors and carrying out the will of the members.
They also praised Oyegun for ending the era of impunity, opening a new chapter in the political life of Nigeria and improving the country’s democracy.
The respected leaders in the South-South condemned Ifeolu Olubusuyi for deceiving the good people of Ekiti by false statements.
“It is another conspiracy to discredit Oyegun ahead of the party’s convention”
The leaders also condemned some individuals in the South-South zone for attempting to wreck the party by creating confusion and opposing important plans to vitalize the ruling party in the zone.
They urged APC members in the zone to redouble their efforts and play their part well in ensuring a second term for oyegun and APC victory in 2019.
“We must make greater efforts. We must defend the rights of the South-South. It is the deep desire, the determination and the wish of the overwhelming majority for Oyegun to be national chairman beyond June 2018”.
They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari, APC governors and other leaders to identify with the second term of Oyegun and other members of the NWC.
“We thank South-East leaders for the outpouring of support”
