…As Orji Kalu begs for past NWC members
SIMON EBEGBULEM
ABUJA-AHEAD the June 23 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who received the endorsement of Prof.Osahrimein Osunbor today, said if elected as Naitonal Chairman of the party, he will ensure that the APC becomes one family again, by ensuring that past leaders of the party are given their due respect.
Oshiomhole who was reacting to an appeal by the former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzo Kalu, that Oshiomhole should endeavor to show respect to members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party who may not be returned on Saturday, said part of his plans is to make APC one family again.
Orji was at Oshiomhole’s campaign office in Abuja to back his aspiration today. According to Oshiomhole, “ just last night I have been thinking about all the issues in the party and the need to ensure peace across board.
“ I have thought about it that there are things we do need to formalize in the party, that the system of compensation is not based on adhoc, or the mood of the moment. We have to have policies that specifies privileges and the benefits that one is entitled to when you have served meritoriously for four years so that whether the successor is bias or not it is under obligation to show respect.
“In the sense that he who envy the privileges of the elderly people in the community, they are praying against old age. So if any one show respect to past leaders, I will be laying foundation that will be used when our reign ends. So I accept that we need to have a happy family and we will ensure that happens”.
Speaking further on his relationship with the former governor of Abia state, Oshiomhole narrated that “ the then President Olusegun Obasanjo fought both of us but we defeated him. I can tell you when I was rigged out in 2007, the then chairman of the EFCC, Ribadu and the then Minister of the EFCC el-Rufai, they went to see then President Olusegun Obasanjo to say that he should allow my election to stand, if I am rigged out it will discredit the entire administration.
“ President Obasanjo now said, I have Lost Lagos, because by all means he wanted Asiwaju out. I have lost Abia because he wanted to sack Orji then you people want me to lose Edo. So he went on to ask Iwu to announce the result the way he wanted and the rest is history. But as you say tough times never last but tough people will.
“I reclaimed my mandate, I did eight years and I transmitted power to my successor who is my party member, my state is still being governed by APC. Then for Orji Kalu, despite the fact that Obasanjo put his candidate in prison, Orji got the candidate elected as governor and that was a land mark victory. So in moments like this you have courage to stand firm”.
Earlier, Kalu said “ I came to wish you well. I also want to continue to plead with you that all past NWC members who are not returning, so they will leave with respect so that the day you will leave there people will also respect you. I came to tell you that the people of Abia state and the entire South East are behind you. That you will do well as our chairman and God be with you”.