Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his removal from office, attributing it to a campaign led by Governor Kayode Fayemi and other governors. Oshiomhole made these revelations during the launch of the book “APC and Transition Politics” by Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North-west) of the party, held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Center in Abuja on Tuesday.
Oshiomhole claimed that Salihu Lukman, in collaboration with some governors, orchestrated his “illegal” removal from office as part of a larger battle against his efforts to uphold party supremacy. He specifically pointed fingers at former governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, accusing them of employing various illicit means to oust him.
According to Oshiomhole, Lukman wrote several letters undermining his leadership without engaging in direct communication. He alleged that Lukman was appointed undemocratically by the governors’ forum, and when he sought a meeting with the governors to discuss primary election guidelines, they insisted on holding it at Imo House, creating a hostile atmosphere reminiscent of a military barrack.
Describing the encounter with the governors, Oshiomhole stated, “It felt as though I was in a military barrack.” He recounted challenging the governors on their loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing some of disloyalty and opportunism. Oshiomhole disclosed that President Buhari did not intervene to halt the governors’ actions and warned Governor Ganduje to be prepared, suggesting that similar tactics might be employed against him.
The former APC chairman also revealed that the party contributed N800 million to support the “O to ge” movement in Kwara State, which ultimately led to the party’s victory in the state.
