By Uche Mbah
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is said to have rushed back home from his trip to the United States to be part of the APC the National Executive Council meeting to decide the fate of the National chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole has been under the hammer for sundry allegations, including but not limited to high handedness in the execution of his official duties.
Tinubu is returning just as the Federal Court of Appeal over ruled itself and sat by 4 pm Monday to quash the suspension order by a lower court. When the appeal court sat in the morning, they postponed the judgement indefinitely-a situation that threw panic into the rank of Oshiomhole supporters. Reports indicate that immediately the case was adjourned indefinitely, Oshiomhole was sighted at Aso Rock heading towards the office of the President. “But suddenly, he looked left and right and turned and went into Abba Kyari’s office”, a source from Aso Rock, the seat of power told this Magazine. Coincidentally, the Appeal Court, which that morning had postponed the ruling indefinitely, sent messages to lawyers of both parties that they will deliver judgement that evening by 4p.m. And they did.
The appeal court decided that the lower court erred, and reinstated Oshiomhole just as Tinubu, through his aids, released a statement that frontally attacked all those who are gunning for Oshiomhole’s removal. He described the NEC meeting, scheduled for today, as illegal. Now the NEC meeting, too, has been postponed indefinitely.
With this, Oshiomhole has been given a breather to continue to preside over the affairs of the party.
Oshiomhole has polarized the APC NEC, with Tinubu solidly supporting the Chairman, in what analysts regarded as protecting himself towards his 2023 ambition. Rotimi Amaechi, the transport minister, is said to be on the opposing side with many second term governors routing for his exit.
