By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) reared its ugly head, on Tuesday, when its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, declared that he can run the Party better than its current National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, is doing.
Frank, who maintained that the Party cannot progress under the present leadership, described alleged confirmation of the indefinite postponement of its mini national convention by Oyegun as shameful.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC made his position in a statement he personally, which was obtained by Sundiata Post.
“If given opportunity to lead the Party, I can run APC better that the current national chairman, Chief John Oyegun.
“Until Chief Oyegun resigns as the Party’s National Chairman, I don’t think the Party can progress with this present situation,” Frank said.
According to Article 25 (A)(i) of the APC Constitution, which states that the National Convention of the Party shall be held once in two (2) years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee and approved by the National Executive Committee subject to the giving of the statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and at least fourteen (14) days notice given to members eligible to attend.
Also, the Constitution provides that the National Executive Committee may summon an emergency National Convention at any time provided at least seven (7) days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members eligible to attend.
Frank, who also responded to the above development, accused Oyegun of mismanaging the Party’s fund.
“I have said it in the past that, if I am given opportunity, I can run APC better than Oyegun. His leadership has failed. How can NWC, under him, (fix) a date for national convention when they knew they didn’t have money? Who did they (consult) before (they) picked that date?
“This is shamful. Now, they are coming back to reverse the date. It means they are not prepared.
“But if this National Convention does not hold, it means the National Working Committee has breached the constitution of the Party because the (Party’s) law is very clear on when the convention should hold.
“Nobody will trust Chief Oyegun because of his mismanagement of party fund in the past, and that is why our governors cannot release money for the Party.
“Like before, I’m still warning that, unless Chief Oyegun (resigns) as APC National Chairman, I don’t think the Party can progress with this present situation,” he said.
Frank called on other prominent members of the Party to speak up before the situation gets out of hands.
“The postponement of (the) convention has shown that even as a party we cannot keep our own word. So, how do you expect Nigerians to trust the Party?
Frank (left and Oyegun (right)
“I’m calling on prominent members of the Party, who are still keeping quiet, to speak up; or else, this mismanagement might lead the Party to unexpected end,” he declared.
It would be recalled that Frank had, in the past, dared Oyegun to expel him from the Party, threatening that any attempt to force him out of the Party will be the beginning of the end for the APC.
“Any attempt to suspend or expel him from APC will break the party.
“I dare the National Chairman (Oyegun) to convene NEC meeting and see who will be removed between two of us.
“The claim by one of Odigie-Oyegun’s foot soldiers, Oji Ngofa, that NWC had taken a decision to hold on with the report of a kangaroo zonal committee that recommended my suspension was a blatant lie,” Frank maintained last November.
