Oshiomhole’s Many Enemies

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Temporary relief came the way of the embattled National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomole after  the Court of Appeal ordered stay of execution of the ruling of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) suspending him from the party.

A three-man panel of the appellate court consequently, restrained the respondents in the appeal from proceeding to act or take any further steps with regard to the ruling of the FCT high court.

When he emerged on the 23 June 2018 as the national chairman of the APC following a voice vote by delegates at the party National convention, he never thought that same subterfuge that consumed John Odigie-Oyegun will come after him.

How did Comrade Oshiomole come to this situation?

Some say intrigues of 2023, while others accuse the former Edo State governor and Labour leader of high-handedness in running the party.

Some also say he is reaping the reward of his involvement in sending Oyegun packing.

Who Are Those Who Want Him Out?

Enemies From Home

Governor Godwin Obaseki and his associates at home believe that Oshiomhole as national chairman will skew the process for the forthcoming primary against the incumbent. It is no surprise that the governor and his associates have been in the front of the campaign to shove Oshiomhole out.

Besides the governor, there are also those at home who feel peeved by the actions of Oshiomhole in joining with those who pushed the immediate past national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun out of office.

Such persons in Edo State have joined forces with the governor’s team to embarrass the incumbent chairman.

Besides Edo State, Oshiomhole is also being discomfited within his South-South base. At least four of the ministers from the zone are said not to be inclined towards his leadership.

The four ministers including Rotimi Amaechi met with other prominent party members from the zone last week and dissociated from Oshiomhole.

The only notable leaders known to be partnering with him are the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the minister of state for petroleum, Timipire Sylva and a few others.

2023 Glaidators

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu rightly diagnosed a 2023 virus as what is driving Oshiomhole’s enemies.

However, many stakeholders assert that those 2023 aspirants believe that Oshiomhole is working for Asiwaju hence the solid support the former Lagos State governor is giving to him.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who have been mentioned as having 2023 interests in one way or the other are believed to have taken position against Oshiomhole.

Remarkably, Tinubu’s assertion was countered by the director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu who in a statement rather blamed what he described as Osho-Virus as the cause of the crisis.

He gave ten symptoms of the Osho-Virus including impunity on the part of the national chairman for the problems of the party.

• Past Enemies

In the conduct of the 2019 primaries of the party, Oshiomhole rubbed negatively on many people who it is alleged despite being quiet may not have forgiven the national chairman.

Among them include Senator Ibikunle Amosun, a very close confidant of the president and the cabal in Abuja who some are quietly pointing as a possible candidate of the cabal for 2023.

• Oshiomhole NWC Enemies

Within the National Working Committee, NWC, Oshiomhole’s was reported to work like a sole operator. The suspension of the Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Lawali Shuaibu and the National Vice Chairman, Northwest, Barr Inuwa Abdulkadir divided the NWC.

Both men have now been recalled but the extent to which healing can be effected will be an issue.

But with 2023 lurking around the corner, the contentous issues of Edo and Ondo Governorship election later in the year and perceived argument that Oshiomole is holding forte for a national leader of the party, the days ahead is laid with mines which need great wisdom to meander through.

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