By Akinwale Kasali
The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Executive Meeting, NEC, ended in chaos as President Muhammadu Buhari angrily walked out following the intense rift between the anti and pro Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole protesters at the venue of the meeting. It led to clashes between the two groups.
Though, the APC National Chairman, Oshiomhole heaved a sigh of relief as he was given a vote of confidence, some members weren’t happy with the verdict passed on the former Edo State Governor.
The meeting, which was the shortest ever, appeared tensed when the anti and pro-Oshiomhole protesters grounded the activities along the road leading to the party’s national secretariat, resulting in security agents firing teargas to disperse the protesters.
Some party members from Edo State, not in support of the Oshiomhole caucus in Edo State led by the State chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, prevented Ojezua from entering the venue of the meeting, but this was thwarted by other chairmen that complained and threatened to walk out of the meeting thereby making the venue more uncomfortable for President Buhari.
However, no decision was taken on the suspended members of the party like the immediate past governors of Imo and Ogun states, Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun among others who were incidentally absent at the meeting.
It was also revealed during the meeting that the shortfall in the funds generated to finance the 2019 presidential election almost denied Buhari’s re-election.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State who is presently at loggerheads with Oshiomhole was present at the meeting, but remained calm as the clashes continued.
When sanity was returned briefly, Oshiomhole mounted the rostrum to give his speech, boasting that Senator Dino Melaye, will join the Abubakar Bukola Saraki league of retired politicians and rebels by next week Saturday after the Kogi West Senatorial election.
The former Labour leadìer stressed that the in-house fighting in the party cost the party re-election in Adamawa and Bauchi State.
Oshiomhol, however, revealed at the meeting that they had to frantically source for funds a few days to the election to prosecute the poll.
