The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is on the brink of imploding as the party’s internal crisis Wednesday reached a tipping point with the latest developments.
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North East, Salihu Mustapha, has accused the Adams Oshiomhole, the suspended National Chairman of the party of breaching the order of the FCT High Court, which removed him from office on Wednesday and barred him from the premises of the party’s national secretariat.
Mustapha emphasized that any decision taken at the behest of Oshiomhole was illegal and infringed on the court’s order.
The court in Abuja presided by Justice Danlami Senchi suspended the controversial politician after granting an interlocutory injunction in an application filed on January 16 by a member of the APC, Oluwale Afolabi.
Afolabi based his application for the suspension of Oshiomhole on the suspension of the national chairman last year by the party in his home state, Edo.
The other plaintiffs are Hon. Anselm Ojezua, Alhaji Sani Gomna, Mr Oshawo Steven, Mr Fani Wabulari and Evangelist Princewill Ejogharado.
While other respondents alongside Oshiomhole include the APC, Inspector General of Police (IG) and the State Security Service (SSS).
But in a phone chat with journalists at the party secretariat immediately after the court verdict, Mustapha said Oshiomhole has defied the court order by directing the party’s spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, to announce Waziri Bulama as the party’s National Secretary.
Issa-Onilu would later issue the statement below announcing new appointments in the party, replacing Chief Victor Giadom as Acting National Secretary of the party.
Giadom in his capacity as Acting National Secretary and highest ranking official had earlier briefed journalists, saying the party would abide by the Judge’s order.
“APC NWC Approves New National Officers
· Arch. Waziri Bulama – Ag. National Secretary
· Sen. Abiola Ajimobi – Deputy National Chairman (South)
· Mr. Paul Chukwuma – National Auditor
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the nomination of Arch. Waziri Bulama as the Party’s Acting National Secretary.
The decision was reached on January 14, 2020 during the meeting of the NWC at the party’s National Secretariat.
Following the resignation of H.E. Mai Mala Buni as the Party’s National Secretary in May 2019 prior to his election as the Governor of Yobe State, the party subsequently gave notice for a replacement from the zone.
The NWC has also approved the nominations of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South) and Mr. Paul Chukwuma as the National Auditor following nominations from the respective zones.”
Mustapha, Giadom and some of the members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) opposed to Oshiomhole’s leadership of the party.
“Immediately the court injunction was given, the national chairman called the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, to issue a statement that Bulama is the National Secretary of the party.
“I believe you guys are aware of the meeting held about a month ago on that matter, which ended without a decision. Since then there has not been a decision as to the replacement of the secretary,” he said.
He said if such an order by the suspended chairman will “create more chaos within the party” if carried out.
“The public should know that any decision that Oshiomhole makes henceforth is an illegal decision and will not hold.
“We will keep our fingers crossed until the court decides. I am saying this so that there can be no two national secretaries and there can be no affirmation from a national chairman that has been suspended,” Mr Mustapha further said.
Meanwhile, police officers and DSS personnel have taken over the premises of the party’s national headquarters to enforce the order of the court. They arrived after the court order was served on the party’s legal department.
.Thewill