There are divisions among the Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the way forward or ways they might intervene in the current crisis rocking the party in Edo and Ondo States ahead of the governorship elections.
A statement on Sunday in Abuja by chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said the Governors have “collectively agreed to work to ensure strengthening fair and democratic internal party mechanism for the selection of party candidates in all elections, especially in respect of Edo and Ondo states 2020 Governorship elections.”
The National Working Committee (NWC) of APC on Saturday affirmed the disqualification of the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki and two others who had earlier disqualified by the screening panel.
The three aspirants disqualified were Governor Godwin Obaseki, Chris Ogiemwonyi and Messrs Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.
But the APC Governors, in the statement said they are confident that the party will resolve all current challenges and emerge stronger emerge stronger.
The APC Governors Forum, after teleconference meeting on Saturday, resolved “unanimously” and “reaffirmed the commitment of all Progressive Governors to work for the unity of our party. Forum members are confident that the party will resolve all current challenges and emerge stronger emerge stronger.”
Outside the public show of unity in the statement, a source disclosed that most of the APC Governors were not happy about some of the decisions taken so far by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The source said: “I know there are several engagements still going on to resolve some of the controversial steps taken by the APC NWC. We might likely see reversal of some of these decisions because the feelings is that NWC does not have power to do some of the things they did regarding Edo. So, the Governors are still engaging with all the concern stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, the division within the Governors were palpable as while 10 of the Governors are backing Governor Godwin Obaseki, the others are backing the Comrade Adams Oshiomole/Asiwaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu group who are using the platform to strategise ahead of the 2023 elections.
Since they could not agree on the way forward, their hopes of resolving the issues are hinged on the expected meeting between President Buhari and Governor Obaseki which may hold Sunday night or Monday.
And as the APC are divided on how best to appease Obaseki, the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are waiting on the wings as they await the outcome of the final decision of the embattled Governor as regards his political future.
Already, as part of his consultations, Governor met with the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike. He is also expected to meet with the PDP national leadership in Abuja especially if the efforts to reverse his disqualification by the APC screening and appeal committees fails.