APC will bounce back stronger, says Oshiomhole •Suspended national officers recalled •All suits to be withdrawn from courts •Ajimobi, Chukwuma take NWC seats •Oshiomhole, Giadom embrace at meeting •National Secretary Bulama absent

Posted on Mar 18, 2020

LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) put behind them weeks of bickering yesterday as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) met and declared the in-fighting over.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors on Monday put off the controversial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting designed to force out National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

Also on Monday, the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of the High Court ruling suspending Oshiomhole as the national chairman.

Deputy Secretary Victor Giadom, who is one of the plaintiffs in the suit against the chairman, attended yesterday’s meeting. He had a hug with Oshiomhole as both declared the crisis over.

In the spirit of reconciliation, two national officers on suspension were recalled. All cases in court are to be withdrawn, the chairman announced.

Two of the new members of the NWC – Deputy National Chairman (South) Abiola Ajimobi and acting National Auditor Paul Chukwuma, attended the NWC meeting.

Addressing party members, Oshiomhole said the NWC remained united. “Despite what we have passed through, this NWC is not divided.”

Admitting that the party had gone through some challenges and disagreement, he argued that the action and inaction of NWC members were not to destroy the party but for its progress.

He urged members of the NWC to put all that happened behind them in order for the party to forge ahead.

Oshiomhole said: “I think that God is never wrong, He has allowed what has happened to happen so that we all can learn, everybody re-examine his conscience, strengthen those bonds of friendship, bonds of solidarity and work as a family.”

Extending the olive branch to all, Oshiomhole added: “I am the first to admit that I am not the best chairman in the world and I will never be. But no one can fault the sincerity of my purpose. My style can only be my style. But, I recognise that I must reconcile my style to others so that we can meet in the middle of the road,” he said.

The chairman commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for granting listening hears to those who approached him with a view to ensuring that our party remains on course. He also expressed appreciation to the role APC governors played in resolving the party crisis.