The former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has distanced himself from the fresh suit instituted by the former National Vice Chairman (South South), Hilliard Eta, who recently challenged the dissolution of the National Working Committee that was chaired by Oshiomhole.
This was contained in a statement that the former Edo Governor signed on Monday. The statement is titled, ‘My Position Has Not Changed.’
The former chairman made it known that he was not the plaintiff in the matter as the court documents clearly showed.
The statement read in part, “In reporting the legal action taken by a member of the dissolved National Working Committee of the APC, some attributions have been made to the effect that the plaintiff is an ‘ally of Oshiomhole’ or an “associate of Oshiomhole.” The court documents are clear on who is the plaintiff.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 21-member NWC under my leadership largely worked cohesively and harmoniously. The only exceptions were those of the three members used by forces desperate to take control of the party.
“The majority of 18 members worked as a team and not as allies or loyalists of anybody. When the National Executive Committee in its wisdom dissolved the NWC, I immediately announced publicly that I accepted the decision, regardless of its illegality or otherwise, as it affected my position as national chairman.”
He further explained that he personally announced his decision not to contest his removal from office due to personal reasons, adding that some of his colleagues in the dissolved NWC didn’t share his views with regards to his decision not to contest the dissolution in court.
However, Oshiomhole said, “I can only accept responsibility for my own decision.
“Subsequently, I instructed my lawyers to withdraw the suits challenging my purported suspension from office by the proxies of those bent on removing me as chairman.”
The former governor added that it would be mischievous to insinuate that he was surreptitiously contesting the matter in court after publicly denouncing the same.
He also said, “That chapter of my political life is closed. Even if another NEC decision or a court order reverses the dissolution, with utmost humility I will decline to return as APC chairman.”
