Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has cried out, alleging that some forces within the party are plotting to remove him because he did not allow them to impose their choice candidates on the party during the primaries.

The former governor of Edo State spoke against the background of reports that some members of the president’s kitchen cabinet and a host of governors are plotting are already collecting signatures to force him out of office.

According to Thisday newspaper, the governors, about 15 and their supporters in the presidency are already collecting signatures for removal of Oshiomhole and his replacement with a more amenable individual.

Reacting to the move, the former Edo State Governor in a statement issued Sunday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Simon Ebebgulem, pointed to suggestions in some quarters, as voiced by one Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, that the APC could not win the 2019 general elections with Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman as the indication of the ongoing plot against him.

Oshiomhole said: “These influential stakeholders, according to the grapevine, have begun to mobilize to pass a no-confidence vote in the leadership of Oshiomhole, having failed to impose their preferred candidates on the party in the nomination process”.

“Comrade Oshiomhole did not become national chairman of the governing party to bring it down a notch from the pedestal of its 2015 electoral victory let alone to preside over its liquidation.

“Rather, his single-minded goal, from the outset of his declaration of interest in the position, was to deploy his capacity in helping to strengthen and reposition the party as a truly supreme and disciplined political entity.

“Although, it might appear fortuitous to some persons that he became national chairman at the threshold of the 2019 general election; the truth is that there is no accident in predestination.

“We must appreciate the fact that it has pleased the Almighty God to place him in the saddle of APC leadership at this time for a purpose.

“The purpose has begun to manifest in its vast flourish and ramifications: instilling discipline, ensuring party supremacy, promoting due process, dealing with impunity and executive arrogance wherever they manifest to undermine intra-party electoral processes in the states.”