The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Friday took another dimension when the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Muhammad Ibrahim declared himself, Acting National Organising Secretary.
Ibrahim, who made this declaration while briefing journalists in Abuja, said the development is in reference to a Federal High Court judgment in September 2018 which annulled the election of Emmanuel Ibediro as National Organising Secretary.
He said Ibediro held tenaciously to the office with the support of the then party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the action which he described as erroneous and autocratic, stressing that APC must be rebranded.
“If you recall very well, the genesis of the crisis that rocked particularly the election of the National Organising Secretary, Emmanuel Ibediro no doubt contested the election of the National Organising Secretary.
By virtue of respect to constituted authorities and rule of law, the Federal High Court under Justice Dimgba annulled the election of the National Organising Secretary.
“It was a clear judgment and can’t be appealed. So by the virtue of judgment passed on the 14th of September, 2018, there is judgment nullifying all that happened till fresh elections are held. Erroneously or autocratically, the then Chairman of the party held to Emmanuel Ibediro”, Ibrahim stated.
The Acting National Organising Secretary insisted that the Tuesday National Executive Committee of the Meeting remains sacrosanct, stressing that, the story making the rounds that the NEC meeting may either not hold or be scuttled is untrue and unjustified.
“I, as the Ag. National Organising Secretary of our great party the APC, wish to hereby clear the air on the controversy in the media over organizational issues, notably the forthcoming NEC meeting scheduled for 17th March, 2020.
“I wish to assure Nigerians that the organization of the NEC meeting has already reached advanced stage and will proceed as planned.
“I wish to advise those who are trying to distract the attention of the party with rumors of possible last minute and/or ‘scuttling it to desist from spreading such rumors. We are compelled to conclude that there is plan by desperate forces, working with interests outside the system, to create false flag as a strategy for distraction of our great party. This negative plan, I dare say, is dead on arrival.
“I call on all loyal party members to sustain the tempo of their loyalty as we brace up for the challenges of rebranding our great party.
“I solicit the support of all stakeholders, including you the media in promoting the truth, spirit of reconciliation and unity of purpose in the APC. I assure you all that on my part as Ag National Organising Secretary, I will give my very best to achieving the Bible objectives of this party and our government at all levels,” he added.
James Kwen, Abuja
