Saturday PUNCH’s investigations showed that the planned defection would be led by former Governor Olusegun Osoba’s group in the APC.
It was gathered that the group, which had reached out to some APC members in the South-West, would join the Action Group of Nigeria, which it was learnt had applied for registration at the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had in an interview with The PUNCH on Friday, said that eight parties had applied for registration.
Jega said that although the law did not make provision for the deadline on the registration of parties, INEC would bridge the gap administratively.
An APC chieftain, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in confidence, said, “We have been waiting for the national leadership to resolve the crisis in Ogun State chapter. But with the release of the guidelines for primaries, it seems that the leaders have no regard for us.
“We have our plan; I can assure you that we are expecting INEC to register our party next week.”
When asked what the Osoba group would do, a leading member of the group, Senator Gbenga Kaka, toldSaturday PUNCH to wait till next week.
Kaka said issues raised by members of the group had yet to be addressed by the APC leaders.
According to him, the issues have been left the way they were while the other group (Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s faction) has taken actions which have been inimical to the resolution of the crisis.
Kaka said, “To the best of my knowledge, the matter has not been resolved, except if a miracle is going to occur tomorrow.
“Without resolution or consultation with any of us, they (the APC) put forward their guidelines for the primaries. “Since we cannot afford to betray our followers, we will decide a course of action for them.” He was asked whether it was true that the faction was plotting to register a new political platform altogether as was being speculated. Kaka answered, “You wait till next week. They said their primaries start by that time. The vulture is a patient bird.
“We want to give them the longest stretch. I advise you to wait till next week when we will come out with a definitive statement.” Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC faction loyal to Osoba, Mr. Clement Adeniji, said the faction had yet to reconcile with the Amosun group. He said on the telephone, “The crisis has not been resolved, that I can confirm to you.” Adeniji noted that the Matagbamole Group was disenchanted with the alleged injustice being meted to the leaders and those who worked for the party during the 2011 governorship election in the state.
But the Publicity Secretary of the APC, a faction loyal to Amosun, Sola Lawal said it was not true that the Ogun State chapter of the party issued the guidelines on primaries. He said the issuance was done by the APC national body.
He said, “Issuance of guideline is beyond the capacity of any state chapter of the party.
“Therefore it will be unfair to hold such act against the party in Ogun State.
“I am sure Senator Kaka is old enough to appreciate the fact that the national organ of any party does not have to consult any group or subordinate chapter before carrying out its constitutional duties.”
Lawal added that the APC constitution does not mandate the party to engage in such consultation.
“The fact remains that the guideline does not confer any privilege on anyone. Every party member is free to partake in the primaries.”
Also when contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party had proven to be transparent in its dealings since inception. Absolving Amosun of blame, he said the guidelines as well as the timetable of its activities were issued centrally. He explained that he was only aware of the timetable released by the national secretariat which was already in the public domain.
Mohammed also said the guidelines for the conduct of all of the party’s primaries fell under the purview of the national secretariat. He said, “It is the national leadership that will release guidelines. It is the national leadership that will release the timetable. Those who will conduct the primaries will be nominated by the national headquarters. “All primaries are conducted by national officers, the time-table and guidelines are uniform everywhere.”
Culled from Punch Saturday
Culled from Punch Saturday
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