A group of youths under the aegis of Save APC democracy Youth Vanguard, have overwhelmed the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding that it’s National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun should be sacked immediately.
The youths in their large numbers came with all kinds of posters, banners and t-shirts are currently protesting what they allege as the violation of the party’s constitution. This was just before today’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting commenced.
Other demands listed on various placards by the youths include: “Audit APC account now, No to non-elective convention, APC must support anti-corruption” among others.
But surprisingly as the protest was going on, Chief Oyegun, who is in the eye of the storm came in his convoy to the party house, which made the energetic youth protesters to shout the more on top of their voices.
Speaking with newsmen during the protest, leader of the group who identified himself as Peter Oyewole, said since 2015 when APC won the presidential election, the party’s finances has not been audited and made public as stipulated by the law.
“Since 2015, the budget of APC has not been made public. Since 2015, the ruling party has not hold a single meeting. These are enough to remove the National Chairman. We demand the removal of Oyegun now.
“We are also saying enough is enough to imposition of candidates at all levels by Oyegun led NWC, because in any party where there is imposition there can not be fairness, any party where there is imposition there can not be equity, the imposition in APC today is just rubbishing the anti corruption war of President Buhari.
“So, the current National chairman of the APC cannot work in support of APC agenda and President Buhari. If Oyegun is not removed he will continue to rubbish the efforts of the President, especially in fighting corruption because you can not give what you don’t have. The high level of corruption and imposition going on under Oyegun is alarming.
“If Odigie-Oyegun is not removed within the next one month, the APC youths will picket this national Secretariat and make it a no go area to everybody; both staff, the officials and even the security staff will be chased out of the Secretariat and non of them will be allowed to come in here.”
When asked to justify the allegations he made against the national chairman, he said: “the man (Oyegun) can not manage success. Since 2015 that the APC won the Presidential election, tell me a single NEC meeting that has been held? This man can not galvanise support for the president.
“What we are saying is that if Oyegun continues like this we are going to have imposition at all level in APC come 2019.
When asked whether the group is known to the party, the spokesman said: “This is a democracy whereby many wings can grow up to push for the interest of many.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the NEC meeting, youths of the party under the auspices of APC Youths Solidarity Forum have written to the president, suggesting ways to mitigate the dwindling fortunes of the party and quell the anxieties being felt by various party stalwarts.
The forum, a support group of the party with youth membership spreading across the 36 states and the FCT stated that after carefully watching the emerging political trend especially within the party, there is the greater need to strengthen the party stressing that ” itis the only legitimate platform to obtain political power in this country”
In the letter made available to newsmen and signed by the forum’s convener, Danesi Momoh Prince, it highlighted two cardinal issues they felt were teething problems that urgently needed the president’s attention as the party organs meet “if we must retain the presidency come 2019 and remain in power”
