The immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday insisted that he left behind a ruling party without blemish.
Responding through his Public Affairs Adviser, Ray Morphy, the former party leader dismissed the claim that he condoned indiscipline while in the saddle, saying he bequeathed a party without blemish to Oshiomhole.
According to him, the former Edo State governor came on board to destroy everything, accusing him of running the most fraudulent primaries in the history of politics in Nigeria.
Morphy said: “The Oshiomhole-led executive is about a year in office, why does he find it hard to function without looking for excuses and scape goats?
“It is common knowledge that Oshiomhole ran the most fraudulent primaries in the history of politics in Nigeria. Recall that INEC said so when it adjudged Oshiomhole primaries as the worst so far. The courts are saying the same thing today by upturning many APC primaries for being undemocratic and less than fair. Was it Oyegun who ran the primaries?
“Oyegun, an accomplished technocrat, a super permanent secretary, a former governor, a man without blemish, working with others cobbled together creditably the legacy parties, and held them together with tact, diplomacy and finesse until Oshiomhole came along. To his credit, Oyegun did not lose one member of the party.
“As an elder, as a leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun will not join issues with those who apparently are casting about looking for excuses for their inability to manage a ruling party successfully. Indeed, it is absurd to lose states with all the capacity at the disposal of the current chair. Party members know that APC witnessed its golden years under the chairmanship of Oyegun and no one can change that bit of political history.
“By the way, the vote increase to Mr President is a reflection of the confidence the people repose in the President despite the fumbles of the Oshiomole sole administratorship of the party.
“It will be recalled that Chief John Odigie-Oyegun just received The Zik award for Political Leadership alongside John Mahama, the former President of Ghana. In the award citation, he was extolled for exemplary political leadership of APC. Posterity has already given its verdict, Oyegun led the party to resounding victory.
“Oshiomhole should not destroy what others had laboured to build. If he needs tutorial on how to run a party, he should ask for it civilly. John Oyegun will be more than happy to help; after all, no man would like to see his son scatter what he had laboured to build.”
