By Akinwale Kasali
Embattled National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, has swallowed his pride. He has, surprisingly, abandoned his combative nature, and now, fanning the ember of unity among party executives and faithfuls.
The former Edo State Governor after a Court of Appeal issued a Stay of Execution Order on a judgement which sacked him as the party’s leader, publicly apologized to members of the party.
Oshiomhole announced, also that the suspension of two members of the National Working Committee of the party which led to the crisis, has been lifted with immediate effect.
The former National Labour Congress, NLC, President disclosed that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Party has resolved that aggrieved members of the party should withdraw all pending cases in court, adding that he has also forgiven everyone who offended him, and so everyone he offended should do same for the progress and unity of the APC.
In his words: “We have also resolved that we are going to withdraw all cases in court that any member of the National Executive Council, NEC, is involved in so that we must lead by example and we have shown that we are capable of managing ourselves and therefore we do not need the minister to help us resolve what we are capable of resolving.
“People have issues which they feel strongly about, and as a result the NWC took some decisions which affected my friend and brother, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, deputy national chairman north. The NWC had a reason for suspending him as at then.
“Today we have reviewed the situation and we believe that in the spirit of our renewed commitment to build unity and true reconciliation, we as leaders of the party elected at the convention should live by example.
“And that means for those we think have offended the system, we have chosen to lift their suspensions. Senator Lawal Shuaibu can resume his duties as deputy national chairman, north.
“We also reviewed the matter of Inuwa Abdulkadir, national vice chairman northwest. By the same spirit, the NWC was unanimous in lifting the suspension and he resumes work with immediate effect.
“I have asked everyone and they have accepted. Whatever they consider to be my own shortcomings, I have asked for forgiveness and they have forgiven. And whatever I considered to be anyone’s shortcoming that irritated me, I have also forgiven. This is the way it should be. It can only be abnormal if people know how to fight and they do not know how to settle”, he concluded.
Political observers are of the opinion that the APC National Chairman could be using that to solidify his position and to mute those calling for his removal, as well as sending an olive branch to Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has become his staunch enemy since their roforofo fight started.
Most supporters of Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, were absent from the meeting.
