Oyegun backs out of Chairman race as APC Reps caucus endorse Oshiomhole

John Oyegun, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will not contest for second term again. Business Day has reliably learnt.
Oyegun who was obviously interested in seeking re-lection as APC National Chairman has since the inauguration of the Governor Abubakar Badaru convention committee developed cold feet towards the contest.
A reliable source close to the National Chairman who did not want his name to be mentioned told Business Day that due to certain developments in the party ahead of the convention, Oyegun chose to honourably and quietly withdraw from the race.
According to the source, Oyegun’s decision is not unconnected with the endorsement of Adams Oshiomhole by President Muhammadu Buhari, APC Governors led by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and legislators.
“As Buhari and all the Governors, members of the National Assembly and all who matter are backing Oshiomhole, Oyegun doesn’t want to waste his time. He knows he won’t get it even if he contests,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has been endorsed by the APC caucus in the House of Representatives as the APC National Chairman.
The endorsement took place after the former governor of Edo state met the federal lawmakers in Abuja on Tuesday.
Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila told journalists after the meeting, that “the lawmakers will queue behind Oshiomhole in his quest to emerge as the party’s national chairman.”
This is coming less than a Week after Oshiomhole declared for the position of APC National Chairman with assurances of rebranding, revamping and rejuvenating the party for a victorious outing in the 2019 general elections.
“It is my hope that if and when elected as National Chairman of the party, we will reposition and re-organise the party based on its philosophy of social democracy which basically means people-oriented, membership driven and mass based political organization.
“To be able to translate these into concrete action that is visible and verifiable. Under our leadership, we will naturally have to do a couple of things differently, in the day to day management of the party, while interfacing with all those elected on the platform of the party at all levels,” he declared.
In a related development, APC has fixed June 23 as the date for the elective convention. The convention was earlier scheduled for May 14 but was postponed indefinitely following adjustment in the ward, local government and state congresses time table.
The new date has not been officially made public but a reliable source in the APC told Business Day that at the end of the congresses being conducted by the National Working Committee, NWC the Convention committee would resume immediately and hold the convention on the last Saturday of June(23).
“It was agreed that the NWC should conduct the ward, local government and state congresses after which the Badaru committee will conduct the national convention. So as soon as the NWC are through with the congresses and after the Muslim fast, the convention committee will start the process.”

James Kwen, Abuja

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