APC Crisis: How Oshiomhole Will be Removed; Party Considers Ebri, Osunbor, Sylva as Replacement

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

A member of the National Working Committee, NWC, of All Progressives Congress, APC has told The Source that it will be miracle if the embattled National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole survives the plot against him.

Contrary to Oshiomhole’s assertion that only  two governors are against him, the NWC member revealed that about 15 APC governors and several National Assembly members belonging to the party have made up their minds on the immediate past Edo state Governor and in the coming days will meet to select his replacement.

Another party source comfirmed that former Governor of Cross River State, Clement Ebri is the choice of majority of the Governors while some others, including some National Assembly members who want Edo state to still retain the plum party position, are considering a Professor of Law and former governor of the state, Oserinmen Osunbor for the position.

Former Bayelsa state Governor, Timipre Sylva has also been mentioned as Oshiomhole’s likely sucessor.APC elements backing Sylva argue that his emergence as APC National Chairman will go a long way in attracting votes to the party from the Bayelsa/ Rivers axis.It was equally argued that Sylva as APC National Chairman will counterbalance whatever influence the Rivers state born Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus,wields in both states.

According to multiple sources close to the presidency, while President Muhammadu Buhari is not expressly canvassing for Oshiomhole’s removal he is not also sticking out his neck to fight for him. “I can tell you that Oshiomhole is an orphan in this fight. He wants the President to come out and openly fight his cause but the President is maintaining a dignified neutrality; whichever way the unfolding event in the party turns, he will accept. Don’t forget that the President’s wife has also voiced her displeasure with Oshiomhole “, one of the sources said.

It has been learnt that the APC National Chairman’s end will come during an expanded National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the party which is coming up soon where a vote of no confidence will be passed against him after which he will be forced to tender his resignation.

Oshiomhole who came on board four months ago ran into stormy waters following rancorous APC primaries across the 36 states of the federation. Many aggrieved party chieftains, including wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, Governors, National Assembly members among others accuse him of impunity. They alleged Oshiomhole is dictatorial in his approach to party administration and warn that unless he is shown the exit door, he will lead the party to a humiliating defeat in 2019.

Zamfara, Ondo and Ogun state Governors are particularly furious over the manner Oshiomhole handled APC primaries in their states. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state said Oshiomhole is leading the party to doom while his Ogun counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun accuse the embattled APC National Chairman of conniving with the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and ex-Ogun state governor, Segun Osoba to impose governorship candidate on APC in the state.

On his part, Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari rue that Oshiomhole’s dictatorial tendencies were the reason APC in the State has been shut out of the 2019 governorship election by INEC because of its inability to select a candidate before the deadline set by the electoral umpire.

However, not all anti-Oshiomhole elements in the APC want his exit on the account of his alleged mishandling of the party’s primaries.This category of members believe the former Labour leader lacks the competence, temperament and decorum to lead the party. They are worried that with Oshiomhole as party Chairman, the 2019 elections will be walk over for the PDP.