The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief

John Odigie-Oyegun on Tuesday received the endorsement of some APC

leaders from North-East, North-West and North-Central.

“A change of leadership is not on the cards. There is no surprise in

the air. The dynamic national chairman is sure to win” the leaders

said.

They also urged APC National leader and former governor of Lagos

State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC leaders in the

South-West to back Oyegun’s candidacy.

“We need to avoid deadlock”

In a statement in Dutse by the chairman of APC United Front, Alhaji

Ibrahim Musa, the leaders praised Oyegun for unifying the ruling

party, fostering collaboration and encouraging engagements that

neither diminishes others moral worth.

“The result of the APC chairmanship election won’t surprise anyone”

Calling his performance in four years exciting, the leaders said the

APC under Oyegun’s leadership existed as a united political group.

“APC is not a loose coalition of personal and sectional factions”.

They hailed Oyegun for his flexible position on political issues,

reconciliation of feuding political groups and his commitment to a

greater Nigeria.

“The incumbent, Chief Oyegun will be reelected for the second time.

Party faithful and their leaders in the north are certain of Oyegun’s

victory”

Specifically, they eulogized Oyegun for bringing unparalleled

brilliance and unbridled patriotism to the chairmanship job.

“Oyegun is a stabilizing factor in Nigerian politics. His success in

the convention will be based on his performance, popularity and

honesty. Other aspirants do not pose serious danger to Oyegun. They

have nothing to offer” the leaders said.

They commended South-East and South-South APC leaders for supporting Oyegun.

“We don’t want a southern gang up against the north. We don’t want to

be plunged into darkness. Oyegun, a role model and an icon, is held in

reverence and affection by the vast majority of Nigerians. He believes

in the course that seeks to prime humanity to loftier heights” the

leaders added.



My chances are bright - Tunde Adedeji

Elder Tunde Adedeji on Thursday indicated that he would be the All

Progressives Congress (APC) nominee for governor in Osun State.

“My chances of becoming the party’s candidate and winning the next

governorship election in Osun State are bright” he said.

In an interview in Lagos, Adedeji said he had to join the

gubernatorial race to bring in the much needed investment to develop

the state, harness the huge resources, shore up revenue and fill the

gap in infrastructure.

“I have what it takes in terms of exposure, education and vision to

lead Osun State to the next level of development. I have been in

politics since 1998. Prior to that, I was active in student politics,

a king maker and parliamentarian during my days in University of Ife

(now Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife (OAU)). Nobody could have been

president of the Students Union without my input. I attempted the

House of Representatives in 1999 and my ticket was ceded to a former

Speaker of the House of Representatives. I cooperated with Chief Bisi

Akande, our great leader, political father, mentor and great coach. I

have been a loyal party man. I have gained a lot from our progressive

leaders. I am a key player in Osun Politics. The greatest travail of

the progressives was the struggle for the actualization of the mandate

of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I am glad that I was part of the process. I

am able to mix maximally with different kinds of people –Youth, women,

the old, privileged and under privileged. I have a lot of contacts

both locally and internationally that can be harnessed to bring in the

much needed investment to develop the state. I served as the chairman

of two companies within the Oodua Group of Companies, Askar Paints

Nigeria Limited and Wrought Iron Nigeria Limited. I want to leave a

legacy of good governance” he said.

A grassroots politician and a native of Gbongan in Ayedaade Local

Government Area of Osun State, Adedeji said he would fight the

election on economic issues.

“Osun should not be a poor state. The state is endowed. If given the

mandate, I will leverage on the infrastructural development efforts of

the incumbent. All that is needed is a visionary leader, who can think

out of the box, come up with solutions that will address the paucity

of development in the state. Osun is an agrarian community. We have to

increase productivity through massive investment in agriculture,

agroindustry and agribusiness. I am committed to building a state

where there would be economic buoyancy, a hub of modern development

and beehive of business investments and employment generation

activities”

He promised to create new jobs, ensure proper training and enabling

environment for the civil servants in the state.

“Work is the antidote to poverty” he said.

Adedeji who praised Major General Leo Segun Ajiborisa (Rtd), Alhaji

Isiaka Adeleke (of blessed memory), Navy Commodore Anthony Udofia,

Brigadier General Anthony Obi, Brigadier General Theophilus Bamgboye,

Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogbeni Rauf

Aregbesola for contributing towards the development of the state

promised to lead an all-inclusive government, bridge the gap between

the rich and the poor, provide developmental initiatives and encourage

women by reserving forty percent of appointment for them .

“Having garnered experiences in private and government agencies, I

have decided to bring to bear the flourishing and unending exposure I

have acquired over the years to serve my people. I feel there is no

better time than to contribute at a higher pedestal to the development

of Osun State than 2018. I have been in public administration and

business for years. All I can do is to strive to do better”

Adedeji, one of the APC leaders in Osun, represents the state as a

member of the Technical Committee on Regional Integration of Western

Nigeria.

He served as a board member of the Agricultural Development

Corporation of The State of Osun.

Currently, he is a Director of Skyrun Cocoa Processing Company Ede.



Oyegun: South-South leaders want Sagay’s criticism ignored

•    Tackle PACAC Chairman

•    Urge him to refrain from making mockery of his age

•    Praise Oyegun for getting the image of APC shining across Nigeria

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.

South –South leaders in a press statement issued Tuesday in Asaba,

capital of Delta State, said Sagay is the wrong person to raise issues

of performance against anybody.

They urged Sagay to refrain from making mockery of his age and profession.

“Sagay’s comment on the National Chairman of the All Progressives

Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senate President, Bukola

Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara is

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”

“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”

Signed by the Chairman, South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the

leaders described Sagay’s arguments as amateurish.

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.