By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has vowed that patriotic forces in the All Progressives Congress APC will not allow the National chairman of the party, Commrade Adams Oshiomhole to be humiliated out of office by those planning to distabilize the ruling party.
Uzodinma who is leading a powerful rescue team for Oshiomhole ahead of the March 17 National Executive Committee meeting of APC vowed that every arsenal will be deployed to ensure that the plan of those plotting the removal is foiled
The governor insisted that the chairman has done nothing to warrant his removal from office adding that there were clearly spelt out guidelines for the removal of National officers of the party.
He accused the group championing Oshiomhole’s removal of bending the rules and circumventing guideliness by going through the back door to obtain ex-parte orders from the courts.
He also accused them of dropping the name of the Presidency in vain
Uzodimma who made these declarations while fielding questions from newsmen on Saturday on the APC crisis also accused leaders of the PDP of being behind the crisis in the APC.
The governor said the guidelines of the party is clear on how the national chairman can be removed from office which must be through the National Executive committee (NEC) of the party, adding that anything outside that is illegal and amounted to a witch-hunt.
According to him, the plot to remove Oshiomhole is a clear case of witch-hunt otherwise those behind it would have come through the proper channel which is the NEC of the party but they have refused to do so because they know they have no genuine case against him
“Many of us, leaders of the party, are aware that those clamouring for the chairman’s removal are working with the PDP to destabilise the party but they will fail because we will not allow them to humiliate our national chairman out of office through illegal means or allow any action that will bring the party to public ridicule”, the governor declared
He stated that President Mohammadu Buhari has always made it clear that as the leader and father of the party, he does not interfere with party matters.
“So I advise those dropping the name of the President on their wicked plans to desist forthwith. We all believe in the rule of law and due process which is the hallmark of this administration and therefore cannot bow to any illegality”.
The governor wondered why any true member of the APC will want to remove Oshiomhole who has done so well for the party at this crucial stage in time when the party ought to come together, savour their victory at the last elections and plan how to consolidate for the future
The Imo governor advised those behind the plot to remove Oshiomhole from office to stop it because it is bound to fail.
“Let me make this clear, we will not allow Oshiomhole to be humiliated out of office. He has done nothing wrong and no amount of propaganda and illegal plots can succeed in removing him from office “, Gov. Uzodinma vowed.