Following the resignation of Adamu Abdullahi and Iyiola Omisore as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respectively, political bigwigs have begun moves to replace them.
OsunDailyNG reports that Abubakar Kyari, the party’s Deputy Chairman (North), has taken over as the Acting National Chairman until a new party head is elected at a yet-to-be-fixed Convention.
Speaking to The PUNCH, a source disclosed that several names, which include former governors and heavyweights in the North-Central and South-West, are currently being considered to replace both Adamu and Omisore.
Speaking on a possible replacement for the post of substantive national chairman, the source fingered former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; former governor of Niger State, Abu Lolo; former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Ali Agara, and a former governor of Plateau State.
He, however, expressed strong conviction that Lolo may not be given the opportunity because he lacked the capacity to ‘properly manage people.’
The source said: “Where the real problem lies is in who replaces Omisore as substantive national secretary. There is the general notion that Isaac Kekemeke should be allowed to occupy the position. There is also that urgent need to pick somebody from Osun to strengthen the state and rally the APC supporters after the last disastrous election where we lost virtually all the elective seats. But the question is, who? Aside from former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Osun currently has no heavyweights outside the camp of the rebellious Aregbesola’s faction.”
He stated that Kyari, who is reportedly set to be named a minister by President Bola Tinubu, may pose a challenge to the ruling APC.
“But I must say the focus of the NWC at the moment are NEC, reuniting party members, and fine-tuning the audit report. That is the focus for now. I am sure after the NEC, fixing the National Convention shouldn’t go beyond October. The real challenge I think we have now is if Kyari, who is expected to be announced as a minister soon, will be made to stay the course till a substantive national chairman emerges or resign his position immediately.
“I understand the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, is also coming back to the country from London today. I believe you are aware he travelled two weeks ago for his daughter’s graduation and seized the opportunity to stay off the radar. Quite a lot of people have been bombing us with calls on why he stayed back when the national headquarters of the party is on fire.
“But again, you can’t blame him that much. Haven’t you been wondering why Omisore has been the one signing press statements and making announcements in the last one month? That’s the level we have sunk as a party,” the source stated.
