The Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has taken a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Adams Oshiomhole over the conduct of the party’s primaries describing the exercise as charade which exposed his incompetence.
The Oshiomhole led- National Working Committee had returned Senator Ajayi Borofice and other senators unopposed in Ondo State.
Akeredolu, in a statenment by his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy Dr Doyin Odebowale, described the primaries as “political charade”, saying they not only exposed the “sheer incompetence” of APC’s national leadership, but revealed “a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity”.
Akeredolu said recent events justified his opposition to Oshiomhole’s choice as party chairman.
According to him, those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand justice, including calling for Oshiomhole’s removal.
The governor, however, restated his commitment to work “assiduously” for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, who he said is loved by the people of Ondo who see his re-election as a “patriotic duty”.
Akeredolu, who described organisers of the pro-Oshiomhole protest as “opportunists”, denied the allegation that he led governors of Ogun, Kaduna Adamawa and Ekiti states against Oshiomhole’s leadership.
”There is no truth in the whole contrivance. The governor has been pre-occupied with matters of governance in Ondo State for which he was elected,” the statement said.
Akeredolu recalled his “noble interventions” as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President at critical moments in the cause of the progressives, including in restoring Oshiomole’s stolen mandate.
He also denied moving from “north to south” collecting signatures against the national chairman.
Akeredolu added that if need be, he would work to getting Oshiomhole removed as chairman.
He added: ”Those who collected varying and humongous amounts as fees from aspirants during the last grandiose charade called primaries and submitted names dictated to them by a cabal, notorious for capturing political power for unbridled pillage, should be bold to explain their real motives to the people. They should be honest enough to deal with the issues.”
