In a gripping revelation at the launch of Salihu Lukman's book "APC and Transition Politics," former APC national chairman Adams Oshiomhole shed light on the tumultuous events that led to his removal from office. The Shehu Yar'Adua Center in Abuja served as the backdrop for Oshiomhole's 54-minute expose, where he exposed a complex web of political maneuvers, animosities, and power struggles that ultimately ousted him from the helm of the party.
Oshiomhole's account highlighted a bitter battle with the Progressives Governors' Forum (PGF), a group led by influential figures like Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun. The former chairman alleged that these governors, along with Lukman, orchestrated an "illegal" campaign to unseat him, deploying various underhanded tactics to undermine his leadership and promote their own agenda.
The narrative unfolded as Oshiomhole recalled Lukman's dismissal of his leadership through letters without any direct communication. Oshiomhole accused Lukman and the governors of attempting to dictate party affairs, emphasizing the undemocratic appointment of Lukman as the PGF's director general.
The former Edo governor recounted the tense atmosphere of a meeting with the governors, likening it to a military barrack, and revealed his defiant response to their attempts to lecture him on power dynamics. Oshiomhole pointed fingers at specific governors, including Fayemi and Amosun, criticizing their loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and labeling their actions as opportunistic.
Remarkably, Oshiomhole disclosed that President Buhari did not intervene to halt the governors' onslaught against him, offering a forewarning to current national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje that he could face similar challenges without presidential intervention.
Amidst the revelations, Oshiomhole injected moments of humor, and his speech received intermittent applause from the audience. He asserted that during his tenure, the APC did not receive money from governors but instead funded campaigns across the country, citing a significant contribution to the "O to ge" movement in Kwara State.
However, Oshiomhole expressed disagreement with the content of Lukman's book, pointing out the author's focus on party ills and disregard for the positive aspects of his leadership.
In response, Abdullahi Ganduje, present at the event, disagreed with some of the book's claims, emphasizing the need for a balanced perspective on the party's functions and future. Fayemi, in his remarks, urged the APC to be the proper channel for feedback to the president, with Lukman being acknowledged as the conscience of the party.
Lukman, in his brief remarks, clarified that his book aimed to stimulate debate on the APC's future. The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Bisi Akande and Ajibola Bashiru, contributing to the broader discourse on the party's trajectory and internal dynamics.
