Amid different factions in the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, former governor of the State, Chief Olusegun Osoba on Wednesday charged all the members in the State to remain united saying that the outcome of Osun State election is a big lesson that every members should learnt from.
Chief Osoba also declared that the position of All Progressives Congress' (APC) constitution on modalities for conducting the party's primaries remains sacrosanct.
He said the Party need to remain united in order to win at the general elections in 2019 saying that the primary elections is just a step, and if not handled properly may jeopardize the chance of the party.
The former governor declared that corrupt elements within the APC fold were only taking advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari's non - interference attitude on matters for which he had already commissioned people to carry out to cause confusion within the party.
Osoba also allayed fears of members of the state chapter of APC amidst the confusion generated over modalities to be adopted in picking party flag bearers for the forthcoming general elections in Ogun state.
He affirmed that the directives of the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) which prescribed a direct mode of primary election for the state would be strictly adhere to during the exercise which kicks-off tomorrow Friday.
Addressing hundreds of APC loyalists who thronged his Ibara GRA residence in Abeokuta, the state capital for a "unity meeting", the former governor allayed the fear of party party loyalists over the indirect mode of primary election earlier being championed by the Chief Derin Odebiyi led state executive committee.
it could be recalled that the Derin Adebiyi led Ogun state execo had opted for indirect primaries slated for September 29 under the pretence that it has no access to the party's membership ID cards and Register.
Also the acting National Publicity Secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena who spoke for the National Working Committee (NEC) of the party however, overruled the Ogun state exco, stressing that Ogun APC cannot set examination questions for itself and mark same.
But addressing the APC loyalists on Wednesday, Osoba said the powers to submit names of the party candidates is the exclusive business of the NEC, stressing that APC's Constitution on the mode of primary election is unambiguous.
Osoba also explained that corrupt people within the party are only taking advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari's non-interference attitude on matters for which he may have commissioned them to carry out to cause confusion within the party.
"Buhari's non-interference attitude on a task for which he had already commissioned people to carry out is what some politicians are taking advantage of to disrupt the peaceful administration of party affairs".
Citing example of the period he held sway as the Managing Director of Daily Times newspaper, Osoba who read the letter of appointment signed 23 years ago by Buhari during the period he was the military Heads of States, emphasised that the president never interfere in the administration of the newspaper notwithstanding its ownership by the federal government.
"The President, throughout the period he was Heads of State never interfered with the affairs and administration of Daily Times, particularly with me as the Managing Director".
"Buhari's attitude of nin-interference, his attitude of not being an overbearing person is what some are taking advantage of. He never interfere with me throughout the period when I was the Managing Director of Daily Times newspaper".
"Kabiyesi Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo was the 2I/C to late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon then. Myself, the present Alake of Egbaland and the late Gen. Idiagbon were working under Buhari and he would never interfere with whatever he had commissioned us to do. That was his style".
"So, I want to beg you, let us not join them to cause commotion within the APC. Buhari never has a hand in an indirect mode of primary: himself was elected through a direct mode of primary election and I, Segun Osoba have to support whatever the president stands for".
"So, I want to plead with you not to entertain any fear. I want us to also remember the second thing which is that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is from this state and Buhari has not change him. Let us please show that love and vote for the President during that primary election".
While lamenting the current situation over Osun gubernatorial election which re-run holds today Thursday, Osoba admonished members of the Ogun APC to learn lessons from the mistakes committed in Osun state and be united during and after the primary elections.
The former governor, who disclosed that he wept bitterly over the Osun state guber poll, also explained that APC approached the Osun governorship election as a divided house which eventually robbed it of the outright victory the party would have achieved.
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