17 Governors plot to remove Oyegun as APC chairman

Crisis has broken out in the All Progressives Congress (APC), with 17 governors plotting to dump National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.

The governors are said to be angry that Oyegun has been running the party with only seven of their colleagues.A source, who pleaded not to be named, said:


“Ahead of the NEC meeting of APC next week, there is tension in the party. About 17 of the 24 governors are unhappy with the national chairman. They are plotting to withdraw their support for him, unless he carries all of them along.”

In Oyegun’s corner are Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Solomon Lalong (Plateau); Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

“The 17 governors believe that Oyegun is romancing their seven colleagues because the APC National Chairman believes they are close to the President.

“They expressed fears that the party might split the way the National Chairman was leaving decisions on issues to the ‘anointed’ governors,” the source added.

Another source said: 
“Initially, the 17 governors decided to write a letter to the APC leadership but they shelved the idea because it will appear as if they are reporting their colleagues.
“They are, however, reaching out to President Buhari but through the back channels to avoid embarrassing the President during the October 31 NEC meeting.
“They want the President to call the National Chairman to order. They said if care is not taken, they might be forced to come out openly on their concern.”

But a member of NEC said:
“What you are hearing is a game plan to pass a vote of no confidence on Oyegun at the NEC meeting.
“The issues the 17 governors are raising are part of the conspiracy against the National Chairman. And what you are likely to see is the direction where things will go at the NEC session.

The Nation