John Odigie Oyegun
There is big stress over the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress.
As acknowledged by a member of the Convention Committee, there's uncertainty surrounding the occasion because the party has been deeply fragmented by occasions of the previous few weeks.
“We are in a state of confusion as I speak. There is no direction nor purpose. There is no coordination of the party’s activities following the developments of the last few weeks. We have never been this fragmented. I just hope this won’t be the last convention of our great party”, Vanguard source says.
June 23 has been scheduled for the National Convention of the governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is simply 14 days away. It has all the trimmings of a political conflict since it will decide the way forward for not solely the APC but in addition many party members.
The ongoing face-off between the chief and legislative arms of presidency, speaking concerning the chilly conflict between the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki which degenerated to the withdrawal of the safety particulars of Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara will grossly rub off on the conference.
Critics opine that the Offa Robbery which has been linked to Saraki who was initially invited by the IGP however later requested to put in writing to clarify all he is aware of in response to the confession of one of many gang leaders of the robbers was a ploy to cease Saraki from attending the conference which can ratify President Muhammadu Buhari’s second time period bid.
Though, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has stepped into the matter alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation it's believed that the final of the matter has not been heard because it was meant to loosen up the political muscle tissues of the Senate President earlier than he was once more taken unawares in a new swoop.
These developments additionally led to the breakdown of talks between President Muhammadu Buhari and the group often known as New PDP.
The group contains of APC members who had been previously of PDP however crossed over earlier than the 2015 election. It is believed that there efforts contributed to the landslide victory of the governing party in that election.
They pulled out of talks with Buhari on floor that DSS personnel assigned to Saraki and Dogara had been withdrawn amongst different points. Already feelers throughout the party point out that there could also be an implosion.
This is additional buttressed by the occasions of the previous couple of weeks. With lower than three weeks to the conference, the National Secretary of the Convention Committee, Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu resigned his appointment.
Sources say, Uwajimogu’s resignation was not unconnected together with his position within the Restoration Coalition in Imo APC which is sweeping Okorocha’s political dynasty away.
More so, it's acknowledged that Uwajimogu is loyal to Oyegun and unhappy concerning the plan to edge him out as National Chairman.
It is alleged that Okorocha was working towards the nationwide officers of the party from South East which embody the National Vice-Chairman, National Auditor and National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso.
But with the latest vote of confidence died these officers by the National Caucus of the area in Abuja, it's left to be seen how the conference will accommodate all these pursuits, intrigues, twists, turns and energy play.
Only final week, Buhari feared that the opposition had a lot cash for 2019 election.
Perhaps, he might must settle the challenges that this conference will pose earlier than wanting forward the 2019 ballot.