Primaries: Akeredolu attacks Oshiomhole

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has attacked the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole over the conduct of the party’s primaries in the state.
The attack on Oshiomhole was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Akeredolu’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale.
The main bone of contention remains the Ondo North Senatorial District seat occupied by Senator Robert Boroffice, whom the NWC of the party backed to continue, while Akeredolu was opposed to it.
The statement by Odebowale described the primaries as “political charade”, adding they not only exposed the “sheer incompetence” of APC’s national leadership, but revealed “a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity”.
Akeredolu said recent events justified his opposition to Oshiomhole’s choice as party chairman.
According to him, those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand justice, including calling for Oshiomhole’s removal.
The governor, however, restated his commitment to work “assiduously” for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, who he said is loved by the people of Ondo who see his re-election as a “patriotic duty”.
Akeredolu, who described organisers of a pro-Oshiomhole protest at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja as “opportunists”, denied the allegation that he led the governors of Ogun, Kaduna Adamawa and Ekiti States against the National Chairman’s leadership.
The statement said: “There is no truth in the whole contrivance. The governor has been pre-occupied with matters of governance in Ondo State for which he was elected.”
Akeredolu recalled his “noble interventions” as Nigerian Bar Association president at critical moments in the cause of the progressives, including in restoring Oshiomole’s stolen mandate.
He also denied moving from “north to south” collecting signatures against the national chairman.
Akeredolu added that if need be, he would work to getting Oshiomhole removed as chairman.
He added: “Those who collected varying and humongous amounts as fees from aspirants during the last grandiose charade called primaries and submitted names dictated to them by a cabal, notorious for capturing political power for unbridled pillage, should be bold to explain their real motives to the people. They should be honest enough to deal with the issues.”