By Ebireri Henry Ovie.
South-East leaders on Thursday condemned the push by former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the decision on tenure extension of party executive.
“We cannot let this happen. He wants things to go off the rails” the leaders said.
At a meeting in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, the leaders expressed concern that Tinubu, Barrister Anslem Ojezua, Perekeme Kpodoh, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Okeze Uzochukwu, Timi Frank and Chief Tajudeen Olusi appear not to have learnt any lesson from the past.
“We completely disagree with Tinubu, Barrister Anslem Ojezua, Perekeme Kpodoh, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Okeze Uzochukwu and Chief Tajudeen Olusi” the leaders said.
In a communiqué, the leaders condemned Tinubu and others for deviating from the party line.
“Tenure extension is in the best interest of the party.Tenure extension is very important as the party moves from primaries to the all-important general election. Those seeking the removal of Oyegun are working against President Muhammadu Buhari, APC governors and the goal of the ruling party” the leaders said.
The communiqué, signed by the chairman, South-East Unity and advancement Forum (SEUAAF), Chief Maxwell Okoye, praised APC governors, party chairmen and other leaders for doing what is best, particularlycompromising in the give and take of democratic politics.
“The whole point of forming a party is to work together to facilitate the party’s interests”
Specifically, they commended Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for moving the party beyond electoral coalitions of like-minded, elite politicians, working towards a common goal, leading the party through the hard work and building unity.
“Oyegun scores highly on the five dimensions —internal party dynamics, party discipline, party accountability, stability and inclusiveness” the leaders said.
They listed steadiness, civility, thrift, forthrightness, firmness, integrity, fairness, multi-faceted experiences, intelligence and ideas as factors contributing to Oyegun’s exceptional leadership.
“Oyegun is a genius in the area of leadership”
They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected officials for making decisions that further the party’s best interest.
“APC will do better with President Muhammadu Buhari on the ballot in 2019”
“APC is not weak or dysfunctional. PDP is a weak, fraying party” the leaders’ adde1d.