The newly-elected All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, failed to resume at the national secretariat of the party yesterday as promised by him during his inauguration on Sunday evening.
But, a few of the National Working Committee (NWC) members elected alongside Oshiomhole reported to the secretariat briefly – apparently to inspect their offices.
One of those who reported to the national secretariat at about mid-day was the newly elected National Organising Secretary, Barrister Emma Ibediro, who came to the secretariat with his supporters and went straight to the office of the organising secretary, where they prayed before taking pictures in the office with the supporters.
Ibediro, who was sponsored for the position by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, defeated the former occupant of the office, Senator Osita Izunaso, in a keenly contested battle that saw tempers rise during the convention.
National Youth Leader Abubakar Shuaib also reported to the secretariat and stayed briefly before leaving.
The Nation gathered that Oshiomhole’s resumption was shifted at the request of the former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who pleaded that he needed a little more time to tidy up his hand over notes.
Oshiomhole had promised to resume at the national secretariat as early as 8.00am yesterday, but it was gathered that he may now resume today.
A source within the party told The Nation: “Oshiomhole is anxious to resume. But the hand over note is not ready yet. The former chairman pleaded that he be given till the end of today to finalise the hand over note. So, Oshiomhole will not be coming to the secretariat today again. He will be here tomorrow when the hand over would be done”.
When The Nation visited the APC national secretariat, workers were seen in high expectations awaiting the arrival of Oshiomhole, with many of them hanging around the secretariat in groups discussing the outcome of the convention.
Those of them, whose principals were not re-elected, were seen clearing their desk in readiness for the arrival of the new occupants of the offices.
Anxious reporters, who reported to the secretariat in anticipation of Comrade Oshiomhole’s resumption, left disappointed after waiting for several hours without any concrete information as to when the new national chairman was reporting to the secretariat.
Campaign posters that littered the secretariat before the election has disappeared and congratulatory banners have taken over.
It was, however, gathered that Oshiomhole held a closed door meeting with some APC governors at his residence in readiness for the task ahead.
He was elected unopposed as APC new national chairman at its national convention at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Saturday and Sunday. *The Nation