Nigerians have been advised to disregard the recent criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun by the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay.
Sagay, in an interview, launched a vitriolic attack on Oyegun, whom he described as a terrible leader. His words: “Oyegun has been a terrible failure as national chairman of the party. He has not shown the resolve and strength of purpose to direct the party properly and rid it of moles and enemies.
“When a person, against the party primary goes to contest as Senate president and another one contrary to the party’s primary contests as Speaker of the House of Representatives, that is gross indiscipline and people like that should be punished and the punishment is suspension and possibly, expulsion from the party.
“That did not happen under Oyegun. Rather, he was cuddling, befriending and appeasing them, thereby allowing them to become monsters. The result now is that the National Assembly is the official opposition of this government; all that is created by Oyegun’s appeasement. So, his tenure has really been a disaster for the party
“I supported the rejection of the one year extension not because I didn’t like Oyegun but because if the tenure elongation had been allowed to stand, the PDP would have had an apian way, expressway to the presidency and the other offices because all the nominations of the APC would have been held illegal and invalid because the people who organised it themselves are not entitled to be there”.
condemnable. It could be out of ignorance or mischief” the leaders
said.
They described Sagay as an anarchist, split personality and his statement to blemish Oyegun’s integrity as “bellicose, false and sinister”
The Chairman, South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, in a statement on behalf of leaders of the geo-political zone, described Sagay’s arguments as amateurish.
“Sagay’s comment is politically motivated to promote his sponsors. We find it difficult to understand the basis of his assertion that Oyegun is a failure, disaster to the party and his reinstatement will be
suicidal. We don’t think anyone in his right sense would say that. How can the emergence of Saraki and Dogara as Senate President and Speaker be a yardstick to judge his performance? Sagay got it all wrong. Does he expect Oyegun to hold the hands of some candidates in the National Assembly and put them on the seats? What a childish statement?”
The leaders condemned Sagay for exhibiting ignorance on party management and democratic processes.
They described Oyegun as “a great unifier”
“Ignoring Oyegun’s contribution to the unity and growth of the ruling party and terming his tenure a disaster simply shows lack of respect, short sightedness and poor understanding of the workings of political parties with contending groups and interests”.
“Oyegun is doing exactly what is expected of him as National Chairman. He is committed to democratic processes. Sagay should be educated on party management. He should be reminded on how Oyegun built the ruling party and got the image of APC shining across the country”
They urged sane elements in the country, particularly Lagos State to prevent the continued misleading of the public by people like Sagay who is inspired by hatred, wickedness and falsity, qualities that are strange to the good people of Okpe Kingdom and Itsekiri nation.
“If Sagay is so unfamiliar about the achievements of Oyegun, he should
hone up his historical references. His sinister propaganda has no place in a civilized society. Sagay’s godfathers would do well to restrain him from further sowing the seed of disharmony or hatred” the leaders added.