The newly elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other elected National Working Committee (NWC) members yesterday took their oath of office and allegiance.
The oath was administered by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to Oshiomhole and the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni at the venue of the Convention, Eagle Square, Abuja, while the APC National Chairman administered oath on other NWC members. Chief Emma Ibediro, the candidate of the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, defeated Senator Osita Izunaso for the National Organizing Secretary’s office.
While the winner of the Organizing Secretary scored 1,770 votes, Izunaso polled 1,459 votes. Similarly, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi scored 2,002 votes to defeat his opponents and retain his seat as National Publicity Secretary. Other NWC members that lost their seat through election or declined to contest were: Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuiabu; Deputy National Chairman (South), Engr. Segun Oni; National Women Leader, Hajiya Aisha Aliyu Tijjani; National Vice Chairman (South-West), Pius Akinyelure; National Youth Leader, Jalo Dasuki and National Treasurer, Mohammed Bala Gwagwarwa. Before the Convention Committee members could announce the results of the election, they sought the counsel of the Justice Minister.
A source said that the committee needed to know the implication of announcing the result of an election where somebody who did not participate in the election would be declared winner.
The delegates of Imo State that produced the National Organizing Secretary were barred from participating in the voting process because of the parallel executives that came from the parallel congresses.
Supporters of Okorocha had, on Saturday, chased away state executives loyal to Izunaso at the Imo State Pavilion, after which the state executive that was produced by Okorocha congresses occupied the pavilion.
The source said that the Convention Committee had to seek Malami’s counsel on the legal implication to declare somebody who did not participate in an election a winner. As a result of the delay in announcing the results of the elections, the APC governors took turn to visit the collating centre to inquire what was the problem.
The Convention that ought to have ended before 12 noon, could not until late last night. President Muhammadu Buhari, who had come before 11a.m. for the closing of the Convention, had to leave the venue by 2p.m. when the result was not ready.
After he left, the supporters of Governor Okorocha also engaged in some protest, asking that the result be announced. According to them, the candidate of the governor won the election, alleging that Senator Hope Uzodinma was going round to see how to upturn the result. The Convention Committee had to beef up security at the venue as the President returned to the venue at 4:30p.m.
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