Injustice and impunity perpetrated by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adam Oshiomhole, cost the party Oyo State and led to other instances of misfortune elsewhere during the last elections, former communications minister, Adebayo Shittu, has said.
Shittu advised APC to get rid of Oshiomhole is it wants to survive as a political party.
Oshiomhole’s exit is necessary to avoid the APC “going down in 2023”, Shittu said in an interview with Premium Times.
“God has a way of ensuring that people are punished for their mischief, for their injustices and all that,” said Mr Shittu, speaking against the background of his lost battle to secure the APC ticket to vie for the governorship election in Oyo State.
He was disqualified from the shadow election by the National Working Committee of the party, led by Mr Oshiomhole, after Premium Times reported Mr Shittu’s failure to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“God did indeed punish the leaders in Oyo State and even showed our national chairman that you don’t cause injustice against people,” he said.
He said he was disqualified for missing NYSC despite his case in court for affirmation of the legality of his action “and the fact that rival, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi also did not serve (NYSC).”
Asked to state his position on the calls for Mr Oshiomhole to leave, he said, “this is somebody who met the party having 26 states.
“By the time he (was through) with shenanigans and destruction, the party is left with barely 20 states or so now.
“My fear is that if he is not removed before 2023, my fear is that there is a possibility of APC going down.
“President Buhari is the magnet keeping the party together now. Once President Buhari is no longer on the ballot, I can’t say with Oshiomhole.
“So, it’s a matter of urgency that we retire him. So, we bring fair-minded (persons), who would engage less of their mouth than their brain.”
