– The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be taking a new dimension
– Governors in the party have resolved to be the ultimate power brokers
– The governors have decided to choose their own foot-soldiers in the party
The feud between the chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may have taken a new dimension.
Governors under the platform of the APC have resolved to use the opportunity to hold a tight grip on the party, NAIJ.com has been informed.
A high ranking member of the party confided in NAIJ.com that the feud between Oyegun and Tinubu came up at the last meeting of the APC governors.
The party chieftain who was privy to the meeting, but choose to remain anonymous because he is not authorised to speak on party affairs said the governors wants to take advantage of the vacant Board of Trustees chairmanship position in the party to ‘hijack’ the party.
His words: ‘‘The suggestion was brought forward by a governor in the North-west region and met little resistance from the other governors.
‘‘Instead, they quickly started mapping out the strategy to perfect their plans, which was when they came up with hijacking the vacant BOT position.’’
Tinubu and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar were at loggerheads over the position in the past, but the disposition of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has shown no interest in party politics since he came on board made the duo forget the idea.
While Tinubu was angling for the former interim chairman of the party, Bisi Akande to take over the position, Atiku was positioning himself for BOT leadership.
Tinubu and Atiku seem to have sheath their sword since then as Tinubu’s call Oyegun’s regination was immediately backed by a similar call from Atiku.
Another source close who is in the know of the APC governors’ plan, opined that the state chief executives are likely to have their way.
‘‘They are in the majority, and to make matters worse, governors loyal to Tinubu who are actually few in number were absent at the meeting.
‘‘While those close to Atiku were actively involved in the plans of their colleagues,’’ he said.
When NAIJ.com probed further to find out those likely to be backed by the governors for the coveted position, the source said the governors are yet to settle for anyone, but he quickly added that, ‘‘they are likely to settle for someone from the north, since Oyegun is from the south.’’
Meanwhile, the governors have also resolved to start contributing financially to the sustenance of the party, especially at the national level.
NAIJ.com exclusive report few weeks back detailed how Tinubu has withdrawn his financial support for the party since his feud with Oyegun began, which had caused panic in the headquarters.
‘‘The party hierarchy reached out to the governors and they have promised to start sending something to us regularly and we are a grateful for that,’’ a staff of the APC told NAIJ.com.
NAIJ.com efforts to reach one of the spokespersons of the APC, Mr Edegbe Odemwingie for an official reaction, at the time of this report was not successful.