APC Chair: Oshiomhole hots up Campaign
By Derin George
Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past governor of Edo State, south south Nigeria has intensified his campaign to run for the office of national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Following the declaration of his intention last May 10, the former governor has been consulting with stakeholders within the party across the country.
The latest was a meeting with the APC caucus in the federal House of Representatives. He told the federal law makers who are members of his party that while not condemning the outgoing leadership of the party, led by John Odigie-Oyegun, also a former governor of Edo State, he believes he could improve on what has been built so far.
Oshiomhole , who was president of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC before vying for the office of governor said while he led the Nigerian workforce, he learnt the art of negotiation, and consensus building, to resolve issues. He promised to deploy these and other characteristics into his job if given the opportunity to run the party.
It is believed that Oshiomhole has the backing of many people at the top echelon of the party, including President Muhammadu Buhari. It will be recalled that the president had during an official visit to Edo State, days before Oshiomhole handed over to Godwin Obaseki, hinted that the party would consider him for another assignment. Since dropping the hint there had been speculations that President Buhari had started making moves to have the former labour leader succeed Odigie-Oyegun. Though the move is said to have created some reactions within the party, there appears not to be another strong contender against the outgoing chairman, in the event that Odigie-Oyegun chooses to ask for another term.
Edo State is the only state that can produce the chairman of the party at the centre, being the only one that is ruled by the APC in the south south geo-political zone to which the office is zoned.