The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has described the endorsement of the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for the APC national chairmanship position by some stakeholders of the South-South zone as foolish and childish.
From his office at the APC Headquarters, Oyegun said that no endorsement in Edo State Government House could work and deter him.
The APC South-South National Vice Chairman, Prince Hiliard Eta, had on Monday after the stakeholders’ meeting in Edo State announced that the former governor of Edo State had been endorsed for the position of national chairman by APC South-South.
Eta, in his media chat, said, “The Edo State chapter, led by its chairman, informed us that the decision was unanimously accepted by the Edo APC Caucus. During the deliberation, the delegation from Rivers State kicked against Oshiomhole’s candidacy but the voice vote of the zonal executive committee, defeated their position while that of Adams Oshiomhole prevailed and stands as the position of the zonal executive committee of the party.
“We have done our part. It’s now left for the membership of the National convention to do theirs and we pray that they follow our lead. This is our honest prayer.”
But reacting to the endorsement, Oyegun said, “it is “childish, absolutely childish. The voting is done at the convention and not in state houses, not in government houses.”
The APC national chairman, who is serving his first term of four years in office, said that he had concluded consultation on his ambition to re-contest for the office of national chairman.
He also said that he was not begrudging the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, for supporting Oshiomhole, since he was made governor by Oshiomhole.
Asked if he was seeking for re-election, he said, “Well, I am going to know when the convention committee announces its programmes and when I’m going to buy my form if I will re-contest I will let you know.”
On consultation, he said, “The consultation I think is concluded.”
He commented on his lack of acceptance in his state, he said, “They have their reasons for what they did and you have to respect their own reasons, however wrong it is. Don’t bother about this teaser, I will give a comprehensive interview to speak with you people when the time comes.”
On whether he was bothered on the support giving to Oshiomhole by Edo State, he said, “No it doesn’t because one of those who wants my job is from Edo and he was the immediate past Governor and he was very instrumental in installing the present governor, so I think it is a case of rub my back I rub your back that is playing out.”