Lagos APC Crisis: You’re Cheap and Weak, Faction Tells Oyegun
The crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not ended as factional Chairman, Mr. Fouad Oki, yesterday accused the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, of not only being weak and cheap but corrupt and inept.
He therefore called on “President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Yemi Osibanjo and other leaders to join other well-meaning members of the party and direct Oyegun and indeed the National Working Committee (NWC) to reverse itself.”
Oki insisted that the action of Oyegun was against the decision of NWC and therefore a nullity.
“The decision of NWC is to suspend the swearing-in of anyone from Lagos State, having decided that what took place was illegal and to find a political solution through the five-man committee empanel to go to Lagos State.”
He lamented that: “It is instructive to state that the committee is yet to take off when Mr. Tunde Balogun was sworn in as state chairman.”
Oki in a statement yesterday made it clear that despite the swearing in of Balogun as the state chairman of the party last Monday, all has not ended in the fight “for a truly internally democratised party enshrined in the rule of law, equity, fairness and justice.”
He lamented that “reports have reached us about events leading to the show of shame by Oyegun and disregard for the decision of the NWC meeting of June 1, 2018, at the meeting to consider reports of congresses from states across the federation.
“We are concerned by allegations made by a member of the NWC at the instant meeting of bribery and compromise by some members of the NWC to subvert the rule of law and constitutionality of the congresses in Lagos State.
“We have also taken note of the shenanigan exhibited at the inauguration which further expose how cheaply and weak some people can be when it comes to the matter of money and their conscience which played out at the inauguration ceremony.
“Our resolve to ensure respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism underscores the importance of a strong and committed leadership that is not lily livered and can uphold the rule of law and ensuring that the fruits of democracy can be enjoyed by all irrespective of status or creed.”
He therefore call on Oyegun to be “man enough to fully respect and ensure respect for the rule of law and integrity of our party by promptly complying with decisions of the NWC at its meeting of June 1, 2018, where orders were made against the illegality perpetrated by the
ACME group also called on the “NWC to ensure that its officers fully respect its own decision and resolutions.”
Oki wondered why Oyegun is just bent on destroying the party before exiting as national chairman, as he urged “all our members that don’t let the troubles and worries you currently face overwhelm you, depress you and fill you with anxiety,” saying: “I am certain we have not heard the last of this. Truth is, we knew they were going to do what they did because the Oyegun-led NWC is full of weaklings, but we are undaunted in our resolve and will continue to show resilience in the struggle to free our people from the shackle of a bigot.
“Let’s not get discouraged. We anticipated a long-distance run and have prepared for it. Therefore, any inauguration of a product of illegality has no other name other than illegality. And we shall stop them very soon.
“Be assured. Events unfolding in Abuja has proven once again the level of impunity we are fighting against and as the struggle continues, I want to enjoin our members to brace themselves for onslaught from the powers above, we are going to be intimidated now and going forward but our resolve will keep us afloat.
“Some people have sold their souls for money; generations unborn will not forgive the perpetrators of evil in Lagos State, so therefore, No shaking whatsoever.
“Please continue to stay gidigba in the face of this tyrannical onslaught on our sensibility and patrimony. We remain resolute and shall continue to fight for our right until freedom is achieved. Our mandate and recognition lie with our teeming members. We shall use all lawful means to achieve our end,” Oki insisted.