Buhari Formally Backs Oshiomhole’s APC National Chairmanship Bid

President Muhammadu Buhari has officially declared his support for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, dealing a huge blow to incumbent chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who is seeking reelection to the position.

It was gathered from party sources that Buhari declared his preference for Oshiomhole, a former labour leader and former governor of Edo State when he met with about 16 governors elected on the platform of the party on Tuesday night at the presidential villa. The governors were led by chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

It was further gathered that the president called the meeting to ask the governors to work for the emergence of Oshiomhole as leader of the party when the party holds its elective convention on May 14 in Abuja.

State governors are the most influential block in Nigeria’s political equation and they wield a lot of influence in affairs of the party and nation.

Oshiomhole also enjoys the backing of a major leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had earlier called for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation following the chairman’s handling of the governorship primary of the party in Ondo State.

Odigie-Oyegun may not seek re-election following this development.