Ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the plot to push for thonal Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, suffered a setback last night as 31 states chairmen of the party passed a vote of confidence on the national working committee under his leadership.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting held in Abuja, the state chairmen under the aegis of Forum of State chairmen “unanimously passed a vote of confidence on our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Chairman of our great party; Chief John Odigie Oyegun and other leaders of our great party for their numerous achievements despite the challenges so far experienced in our dear country.”

They also endorsed President Buhari to seek for a fresh mandate in 2019.

“We also urge Mr President to present himself for a second term tenure in 2019,” they chorused.

Chairman of Lagos State chapter of the party, Henry Ajomale who incidentally is the chairman of the Forum also signed the communique.

Further checks revealed that chairmen of the party in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo also signed the communique.

The state chairmen also demanded for a two-year tenure extension for the national officers of the party as they claimed that the time available for party congresses and INEC published timetable for the conduct of primaries and general elections were too short.

The communique read in part: The forum hereby also resolved as follows: “That we support His Excellency Senator Bola Tinubu led peace and reconciliation committee and urge the committee to expedite action in reconciling members of the party. The forum also calls on all the members of our great party to give maximum support to the committee to achieve sustainable peace in the party.

“In view of the short period between the time available for the proposed party congresses and INEC published timetable for the conduct of party primaries and general elections, the forum resolved that the tenure of the present officers of the party at all levels be extended by 2 years to avert challenges in the party.

“In view of the reasons as adduced above, and the fact that the present constitution as amended in 2014 has not been fully tested in the short life of the party, the forum resolved that the proposed amendment of the party constitution be suspended. “The forum extends our heartfelt condolences and sympathises with the good mode of Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno states for the attacks on them by the enemies of our dear country. We also urge our security agencies to do more to ensure the rescue of the captives and curtail the activities of these criminals in our country.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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