Edo: Oshiomhole’s Hope Hangs, APC Re-Affirms His Suspension

By Fola James

Adams Oshiomhole’s predicaments as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is far from over.

Therefore, the initial enthusiasm that his suspension has been lifted by APC Ward 10 executives in Edo state, raising hopes that his position as the National Chairman of the ruling party will be restored, has now disappeared with the passage of time.

The court of appeal in Abuja, had earlier this week, affirmed the judgment of a lower court sacking the APC strongman.

Reaffirming Oshiomhole’s their decision on the matter, the aggrieved ward executives led by the chairman, Oshawo Stephen said his suspension has not been reversed.

Stephen who spoke on behalf of others described the reversal by other members as a charade.

He said “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are false and should be disregarded.

We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party.

The ward executives as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State.”

On Thursday, 17 out of the 26 members of the ward executives met in Abuja, the nation’s capital where they announced that the suspension of Oshiomhole has been lifted.

Emuakemeh Sule, the secretary who spoke for the other members said they have also restored Oshiomhole’s privileges as the party’s chairman.

Sule said“We the undersigned, being the executive committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 10 Etsako West L.G.A, Edo state having met today 4/6/2020 to affirm the following positions,” the secretary said.

That we have reviewed the circumstances leading to the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and found no merit in the allegation or processes employed.

We hereby lift the suspension placed on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Ward.

We call on all organs of our great party to restore all rights and privileges of membership to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.”

Recall that the former governor of the state was suspended last November by his ward executives over his protracted battle with the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.

Governor Obaseki has now defected from the APC to Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP to keep his hope of reelection alive.

But for Oshiomhole, an ex-President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, his hope being restored to his exalted seat hangs on the Supreme Court, close watchers of the party say.