Oshiomhole supporters look set to drag Buhari to court over dissolution of APC NWC

SUSPENDED All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Adams Oshiomhole appears to be opposed to yesterday's decision to dissolve the party's national working committee (NWC) and set up a caretaker committee in its place putting him on a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Yesterday afternoon, President Buhari asked that the APC's national executive committee (NEC) convene a meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis within the party. it was presided over by the suspended  deputy national secretary of the party Victor Giadom, who has declared himself acting chairman following the suspension of Mr Oshiomhole.

However, a faction of the party has refused to recognise Mr Giadom as party chairman and the development has split the APC into two hostile camps. Yesterday's meeting was boycotted by those who refused to recognise Mr Giadom, insisting that Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the party's deputy chairman south-south should preside over its affairs until Mr Oshiomhole returns to office.

At yesterday's meeting, the APC NWC was dissolved and a caretaker committee chaired by Yobe State governor Mai Mala Buni, was set up to pilot the affairs of the party. However, 18 party stalwarts loyal to Mr Oshiomhole insisted that the NEC meeting attended by President, Buhari, which took the action, was illegal.

In a statement signed by Mr Eta, and the acting national secretary, Waziri Bulama, they stated that they were consulting their lawyers and other stakeholders on the dissolution of the NWC and other decisions taken at the NEC meeting. They insisted that the NEC meeting was illegally convened by Mr Giadom.

Before the end of the virtual NEC meeting, President Buhari’s social media aide, Bashir Ahmad, said the dissolution of the NWC was based  on the recommendation of the president. This new caretaker committee also has as members the Osun State governor Isiaka Oyetola, a former senate president Ken Nnamani, Stella Okorete, Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, Dr James Lalu, Senator Abubakar Yusuf, Hon Akinyemi Olaide, David Leon, Abba Ari, Professor Tahir Mamman, Ismail Ahmed and Senator Akpan Udoedehe, who will serve as secretary.

At the end of the meeting, Kebbi State's Governor Abubakar Bagudu said with all the decisions taken, all issues confronting the party had been laid to rest. He added that the NEC also ratified the recent processes leading to the emergence of Pastor Ize Iyamu as the party’s governorship candidate in Edo State.

However, a legal challenge to the decision is expected soon as the APC constitution forbids elected office holders from occupying party leadership positions. It is also believed that senior party leaders like Mr Oshiomhole and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are opposed to the development as it curtails their influence.