Leaders of the South-South geo-political zone on Tuesday showered the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun with praise for promoting democratic practice, maintaining a progressive attitude and retaining the party’s appeal, cohesiveness and competitiveness.
“APC is in good health. The signs can be found in increasing memberships and electoral turnouts in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, greater role by women in the political party development and internal party democracy” the leaders said.
At a gathering in Uyo, the leaders not only lavished praise on Oyegun for promoting transparency in party affairs, dispensing a sort of equality to all members of the ruling party and holding up the constitution as the cornerstone to maintain the unity of the party but mocked leaders of opposition parties for vowing to deliver the presidential stool in 2019.
“There is nothing like imposition of candidates by party headquarters.”
The leaders took note of the good relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, National Assembly members and opposition parties, commending the national chairman of the ruling party for addressing issues that bear on the development of an effective party system in Nigeria.
In a statement to journalists in Uyo, the chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry said the leaders spoke warmly about Oyegun, party supremacy, good governance in Nigeria, government formation in 2019, portfolio allocation, policy making and party strategy.
They described the APC national chairman as a first rate politician with a great power of rapid calculation.
“Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is an excellent man, a great humanist and a champion of liberty. He has zero tolerance for personality cult.”
Showing a love of precision and a distrust of vague generalities and what they called falsehood, the leaders rebuked the suspended deputy national publicity secretary of the ruling party, Comrade Timi Frank in strong language.
“Timi Frank is intoxicated with destruction.”
They also selected for attack those canvassing for former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the ruling party.
“Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is projecting a good image of the party, strengthening internal democracy and giving more attention to issues of party structure. All responsible leaders in Nigeria must condemn those behind the campaign” the leaders said.
They advised leaders of opposition parties not to dissipate their energies on 2019 presidential election.
“APC will retain power in 2019 because of its popularity in terms of policy programmes” the leaders added.
Credit: Ebireri Henry Ovie
