…as ruling party’s crisis worsens
There was a new twist to the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress as its Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom, on Wednesday, nullified the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the party’s governorship election in Edo State.
Gaidom made this declaration at a press conference at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, where he also announced himself as the new APC Acting National Chairman.
His declaration is coming a few hours after the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, announced the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Abiola Ajimobi as Acting National Chairman.
Gaidom, however, said he nullified the reports of the APC’s screening and appeal committees because “Oshiomhole acted as a judge in his own case.”
He added that his action followed a meeting held with other members of the National Working Committee after Tuesday’s Appeal Court ruling affirming the suspension of the substantive National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
According to him, “Yesterday the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, in a unanimous judgement, affirmed the suspension of comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of All Progressives Congress.
“Consequently, I bring to your notice that on the 16th of March 2020, Hon Justice S.U Bature in suit no FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 had ordered that, with the earlier suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, I, Chief Hon. Victor Giadom should act as the National Chairman of our great party.
“That Order could not be immediately effected at the time because of the temporary reprieve Adams Oshiomhole got from the Court of Appeal on the same date.”
He further said, “As your Acting National Chairman and presiding officer in the NWC, we, therefore, cancel the decision of the Screening and Appeal Committees of the former Chairman of the party on the Edo primary.”