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By Joel Anekwe
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting Hon Victor Giadom’s bid, as the controversial acting national chairman of the party, to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja tomorrow.
The leaders, comprising mostly of the some of the 28 members of the statutory state executive members said the President’s decision was a demonstration of the Buhari’s support for the rule of law.
Speaking to our correspondent in Port Harcourt, the acting publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, said that the events at national headquarters of the party was a proof that all along, ‘the resolve of a faction of the NWC which attempted to impose Hilliard Etta as the acting chairman of the party was misplaced”.
He said; “What we are talking about at this time is whether Oshiomhole’s suspension followed due process. That question has been answered in the affirmative by the Court of Appeal which upheld the March 16 ruling of Justice Bature of the Abuja High Court”.
Nwuke added; “The second thing to say is that the law foresaw the vacancy which would arise and so it filled that gap in its wisdom. By backing the convoking of NEC, the President is backing the supremacy of the rule of law.
‘The courts have said in their ruling that Victor Giadom is the acting chairman. So Victor is the fit and proper person to convene NEC. This would explain why the President is backing him in his effort to convene NEC.
“In order words, what is at stake is the law and not sentiments. If you want to obey a decision of the law, you go the whole hog. There is no such thing as what the party constitution says when there is a judgement. That party constitution was on trial when Oshiomhole was placed on trial.
“The rulings of the various courts must have taken cognisance of the constitution that some persons are brandishing at this time”.
On his part, James Fuayefika, another member of the state executive committee and former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly described President Buhari’s support for Giadom as good, saying “at last, we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel.”
He declared; “To God be the Glory, Hon. Victor Giadom is the authentic acting chairman of our party, APC. No more lies and deceit from the rumour mongers”.
Also speaking, a chieftain of the party, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, also praised the President for the recognition of Giadom and urged NEC to confirm Giadom as national chairman to organise Emergency Convention to elect new executive for the party.
He pleaded with the President, governors, stakeholders and party faithful to work with Giadom to reposition the party describing the position of President Buhari as regards who is the authentic national chairman of the APC, “as heartwarming and rediscovering of the vision and mission of APC as the future of Nigeria”.
Mr. President has given strength not only to rule of law but have deepened our democracy in Nigeria.
Eze quoted Mal. Shehu Garba, senior special assistant on media and publicity to President Buhari as saying that, “confirmed this in President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) conveyed by Victor Giadom on Thursday.
He pleaded with all party members to sheathe their sword and back Mr Giadom for the party to succeed ahead of both the Edo and Ondo elections.
He said; “With this development, I urge Chief Victor Giadom not to see this as a win-win victory but a big responsibly on his shoulder to reshape and reposition our party for the challenges of retaining powers both in Edo, Ondo and the 2023 general elections
“The challenges ahead of the party are huge but we have little or no time. In this regard, I will like suggest to the NEC to fix a date as a matter of emergency to extraordinary emergency convention for election of a new state exco seeing that the present exco are constituted members that ought not to be there as they are illegally conscripted into the exco with following due process,” Eze said.