A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, John Mayaki, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the party’s defeat in the Osun state governorship election.
Senator Adeleke Ademola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had stopped the reelection of Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Commenting on the party’s loss, Mayaki accused the president of negligence as well as ‘suicidal’ tolerance of anti-party activities within the ranks of the party.
He said unless the President changes tact, his ‘look the other way’ approach to party issues may complicate the APC’s chances in 2023.
“President’s non-interference through the infamous ‘federal might’ represents a good development for the country’s democracy but it still doesn’t excuse the observed “abandonment of his obligations as the leader of the party who ought to be spearheading efforts to unite the ranks, enforce loyalty and expand political control.
“The anti-party activities of top ranking APC members, governors and Ministers under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is to blame for the electoral misfortune of the party in Edo and Osun states.
“Poor reward system of the party if not checked, could impact negatively on the party just as the “I don’t care attitude” of Mr. President as a party man. The president is the leader of the party and he doesn’t appear concerned if the party collapses under his watch.
“Under President Buhari, APC governors worked against the party in Edo state similar to how figures in his cabinet have been fingered in the loss of Osun state. But Mr. President won’t lift a finger to either reprimand these party saboteurs, instead he signals tolerance that further emboldens them,” he said in a statement.
He encouraged party members in Osun State to learn the necessary lessons from the defeat and work harder toward delivering Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the presidential election.
He advised the President to learn party leadership from former President Olusegun Obasanjo. (Daily Trust)
