APC elects Oyegun, others to lead party
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria major opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC early Saturday elected, a former chieftain of NADECO and Governor of Edo State, Dr. John Odigie-Oyegun as its first substantive chairman to take over from Chief Bisi Akande.
Dr. Odigwe-Oyegun, who was a preferred candidate became the only aspirant standing for the position after his main challenger, Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa state who is the preferred candidate of APC Governors from the Northern part of the country was persuaded to step down.
NigerianEcho gathered that the former Bayelsa State Governor and two other aspirants stepped down following intense negotiations and horse trading between party leaders which spanned at least three days in Abuja.
Specifically, it was learnt that Sylva stepped down after the governors were convinced on the need to support Oyegun for the position at an enlarged meeting of the elders of the party some hours before the commencement of the convention.
However, his election as contained in the party constitution was subsequently ratified by delegates despite that, he was a consensus candidate.
Former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State, who became member of the party recently was elected as Deputy National Chairman (South).
The convention also, elected former National Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Lawal Shuaibu, as Deputy National Chairman (North).
Mai Mala Buni from Yobe State was elected to replace Tijani Tumsah as the party new National Secretary.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who have been the spokesperson of the party since its formation was returned as the National Publicity Secretary unopposed.
