Confussion in APC, five governors accused of plotting against President Buhari reelection in 2019 – READ DETAILS OF COUNTER ACCUSATIONS

BUHARI SUPPORT GROUP: There is palpable confusion in the APC camp with a pro-Buhari Campaign group accusing four governors of plotting against the reelection of President Muhammadu in 2019.

They also accused the governors of plottting the removal of the APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Asiwsju Bola Tinubu.

The Federation of Buhari Support Group yesterday after a solidarity march in support of Oshiomhole at the nationa secretariat, named the governors as Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa).

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In a statement by its Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Sikiru and Publicity Secretary Gbenga Bojuwomi, the group said Akredolu had been busy collecting signatures of governors and party chairmen with the intention to generate a vote of no confidence in Oshiomhole.

The group alleged that Akeredolu was determined to fight Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oshiomhole and President Buhari, adding that with the way the governor had been going, “it will be a miracle if the President gets 10 per cent votes from Ondo State in the 2019 presidential election”.

The group said “Federation of Buhari Support Group in its indepth investigations observed that a lot of damage has been done underground by the conservative governors to thwart the bright chances of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

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“Moreover, the group in its previous submission, had raised the alarm on many occasions that Governor Akeredolu was determined to fight three personalities in APC, President Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu and Oshiomhole. Mr. Governor of Ondo State is not happy with all the strategies by APC Chairman to reunite the party with a view to bringing democracy to the door-step of party members by the introduction and adoption of direct primaries for all elections.

“Instead for this governor to focus on projects that will better the lot of the good people of Ondo State, he is busy running from North to South collecting signatures of governors and party chairmen in states to pass a vote of no confidence in Oshiomhole.

“Moreso, Akeredolu is not contesting election this time around. It clearly shows that he does not care about the success or victory of the APC in the 2019 elections.

“ Akeredolu is the leader of the new conservative movement within the APC with the assistance of Fayemi (Ekiti), Amosun (Ogun) El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Bindow (Adamawa)

“It was gathered at the weekend, that the sudden death of tenure elongation for their preferredman, Chief John Oyegun, and consequent emergence of Oshiomhole as national chairman to restructure the party has not gone down well with these people, most especially Akeredolu, who is a beneficiary of Odigie-Oyegun’s style of impunity and lawlessness.

“We believe in the leadership of the party ably led by Adams Oshiomhole and his determination to position the party for landslide victory in the forthcoming elections.

“Our party is greater than any individual or group.Let us come together and face our common goal or remaining the most efficient and trusted party in our clime. Together we can make this happen.”APC

However, in separate reactions, the governors faulted the claims.

Fayemi said he enjoys the best of relationship with Buhari, Oshiomhole and Asiwaju Tinubu.

He described the group’s claim as”baseless and unfounded”.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi wondered how the group came about the alleged feud with the three senior party figures.

Fayemi said he holds Buhari, Oshiomhole and Tinubu in high esteem, noting that the trio contributed immensely to his victory in the governorship election

He said: “Governor Fayemi holds President Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu and Comrade Oshimohole in high esteem and he still maintains with them a good relationship, which is not hidden.

”We don’t know where the Buhari Support Group got their story from; Governor Fayemi has the best of respect for these eminent party leaders and he has no reason to be working against them.

”Let us ask ourselves, on what basis will Dr. Fayemi will be working against the President? This was the man who appointed him Minister and supported him to regain the governorship seat.

“Why will he fight Comrade Oshiomhole? It was under his chairmanship that APC won back Ekiti and everybody knew the role played by the national chairman.

“Asiwaju Tinubu is a mentor to the governor; both of them had come a long way in a relationship that has lasted over two decades.

“In fact, Asiwaju attended the governor’s inauguration last week and the roles he played in the APC victory in Ekiti election cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

“Governor Fayemi has no reason to fight or work against our revered President, our respected national chairman and our revered national leader.

“The allegation is false, baseless, unfounded and exists only in the imagination of those peddling it.”

Akeredolu said he was too busy with state matters and working to develop the state for him to be bothered by “spurious” allegations.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Segun Ajiboye said those behind “fake allegations like these are out for only one thing- seeking to be noticed”.

He described Akeredolu as “a loyal party man, who is working and will continue to work for the party’s progress and do anything that will ensure that the APC continues to win elections at all levels in the country.”

Bindow dissociated himself from the allegations.

His Special Adviser on Media, Macaulay Hunohoshi, said Bindow is a loyal member of the APC who has no reason to plot any evil against its leaders.

“Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a respected leader and statesman that Governor Bindow holds in high esteem. Bindow has nothing whatsoever against him and could therefore not do anything that amounts to fighting him.”

On Oshiomhole, Macaulay said Bindow, who won the Adamawa State governorship ticket following “a transparently credible primary” conducted by the APC NWC, could not be bitter against the party chairman, let alone want him removed.

“Comrade Oshiomhole is a former labour leader and two-term governor of Edo State who has shown great leadership as chairman of the APC,” he said.

Amosun, in a statement personaly signed last night, said: ”The ultimate aim of the purveyors of these unconscionable falsehoods is to drive a wedge between me and the President and tarnish my hard-earned reputation. This hatchet job will not work as Mr President is discerning enough to know the sources of the pack of concocted lies.

“The relationship between President Buhari and myself transcends partisan politics. Senator Amosun holds President Buhari in the highest esteem and nothing will change that.”

“The target of this grand campaign of calumny is actually our dear President Muhammadu Buhari

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state categorically that the people trying to cause disaffection between those of us loyal and committed to Mr. President and the success of APC are plotting to strip Mr. President bare, so that their grand design to achieve unfettered domination of the party would be achieved.”

www.sojworld.com (c) October 24, 2018