*As Chairmanship aspirant backs Oshiomhole withdraws from race
SIMON EBEGBULEM AND OMEIZA AJAYI
ABUJA-AHEAD THE June 23 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governors under the platform of the party, yesterday declared their support for the immediate past governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, saying he is the right man for the National chairmanship of the APC.
This comes as one of the aspirants of for National Chairmanship position of the party, Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire has withdrawn his aspiration and urged his supporters to back the aspiration of the immediate past governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
The governors declared this when they visited the Campaign headquarters of Comrade Oshiomhole in Abuja yesterday. They include Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Governor Almakura of Nassarawa state, governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state and Kano State governor, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje. Other party leaders who paid solidarity visit includes National leader of the party. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, Deputy National, Chairman of the APC, Chief Segun Oni, Senator Binta Garba and many others.
Governor Bagudu who spoke to journalists said “Our party is looking forward to the chairmanship of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is experienced in the various aspects of national life. We are all confident that our party is structured to maintain democracy. His experience in the recent past as executive governor of Edo state, his experience as President of the NLC and as a democratic activist all his life, these qualities will be brought to bear in achieving the ideals of the APC.
“So we believe he will be a leader who will be the embodiment of the spirit of the party. The experience will help him make our party central to governance. I can tell you that Adams Oshiomhole is my candidate for the National chairman of the APC and the candidate of all the APC governors.
“We believe that we have identified somebody who can do the job and it will be a good start and good spirit to demonstrate our support for him because he is the best person that can do the job” he stated.
Meanwhile, Chief Emokpaire who disclosed his support for Oshiomhole this yesterday while addressing journalists in Abuja, said after consultation with his family and party leaders across the nation, he had decided to drop his ambition with a view to support Comrade Oshiomhole whom he described as an amiable leader capable of taking the party to the next level.
According to him “I have decided to support Oshiomhole’s aspiration alongside my followers to further enlist the confidence of our party members in his ability and capacity to lead our great party. This is personal and not out of timidity or threat, but rather to enhance party discipline and loyalty at all times.
“Please permit me to seize this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all my supporters both at home and in the Diaspora who through thick and thin stood by me in support of my aspiration until this last minute of my withdrawal.
“I thank members of the Progressives Solidarity Forum, my friends and all my followers too numerous to mention” he stated.
Speaking also, Asiwaju Tinubu who declared his support for Oshiomhole, said “Symbolize solidary and unity of purpose to continue to build a progressive party that will carry Nigerians in a progressive manner, good governance with courage and commitment. There is no doubt, I work with him. Why will you have any doubt. I am for Adams Oshiomhole, Adams is part of the reconciliation efforts in the APC and everybody in the party is with him today”.