The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has said that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, lacks moral right to speak on good governance.
The governor, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Oliver Okpala, asked the people of Anambra State to ignore the former governor of Edo State.
The governor was reacting to media reports credited to the APC national chairman where he called on Obiano to “write his handing over notes and start preparing to vacate office.”
Obianor said such statement lacked what he described as democratic spirit.
He however called on all Nigerians, especially the Anambra State people to be vigilant and prepare against “any evil plot by the Oyegun-led APC to perpetrate rigging in the forthcoming election.”
Okpala, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, described the statement credited to Oyegun as reckless and a political miscalculation.
He said Oyegun’s comment truly showed that the APC leader “should have taken a second look at his unpopularity of leading a ruling party like the APC.
“This is a former governor who has no traceable achievement to his name as far as his tenure in Edo State is concerned. No one can recall any meaningful development recorded during Oyegun’s government in the state.
“It was also during his era that a very low level of governance was introduced to that state, a clear departure from the pragmatic and result-oriented leadership style of the likes of Prof. Ambrose Ali and Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, both of blessed memory.
“It was during Oyegun’s tenure that the song of ‘no money’ for projects became the regular cry in governance circle in Edo State. He could not think outside the box.
“Many Nigerians still remember that Oyegun also won the unenviable record of the governor during whose tenure Edo State recorded the lowest score in WASSCE. The records are there for all to see! So, what is a failed governor talking about when it comes to good governance?
“Indeed, Oyegun has no moral right to speak on the issue of good governance in Anambra State or any part of the country. If what we practice is a democracy then the will and wish of the people should be respected.”
While making reference to how Oyegun “has mismanaged” the APC as a ruling party, Okpala said “many Nigerians also know how he emerged as the national chairman of the party.”
He alleged that the way the former governor emerged was a clear case of political imposition which he said had left the party prostrate till date, adding that as “we speak, the APC under his watch cannot hold meetings of its crucial organs. No wonder the APC is a house in disarray.”
Okpala also recalled how former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described lack of internal democracy in the country’s political party system with the APC under Oyegun as an example.
He said, “What this clearly shows is that Oyegun is a virus in the APC , as he has foisted his regime of lack of internal democracy on the party.
“No wonder the party is seriously bleeding today, suffering from constant defections, lack of direction, and crass incompetence.
“The implication is that the party is heading for doom if Oyegun is not quickly removed. No wonder, a prime founder and leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his followers have since called for his removal.
“It is this weak leadership style that he wants to import into Anambra State. After all, what is his business with Anambra when he has not been able to put his own house in order?”
He added that Oyegun’s declaration that his party would take over Anambra State was also an unfortunate exposure.
Okpala said it was also a signal that the APC was bent on forcefully overturning the will of the people, who he said, “remains the true custodian of democracy.”
