Odigie-Oyegun
A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Oyegun, now a national leader of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC) and the ruling APC in Edo State were on Thursday engaged in hurling of political brickbats with the latter calling out the former governor of the state over alleged indebtedness to his former party during his tenure.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the Edo State APC said the debts, put at N150 million, arose from alleged loans and accumulated membership dues spanning several years when Odigie-Oyegun was a member of the party.
Odigie-Oyegun however fired back, dismissing APC’s allegations as laughable and an acknowledgement that they now have problems with the advent of the ADC.
In a statement signed by its state chairman Jarrett Tenebe, the APC claimed that Odigie-Oyegun had failed to respond to several official demands for settlement of the debts.
Tenebe said, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State wishes to inform the general public that, as a law-abiding, people-centred political organisation, we have formally demanded the settlement of debts owed by the National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun”.
According to Tenebe, the debts included loans allegedly advanced to the former chairman during his tenure, as well as accumulated membership dues which he allegedly failed to remit throughout his period of membership.
According to the statement, “Our records also reveal accumulated membership dues which the ADC National Leader refused to pay into the party’s coffers all through the period of his membership of the APC”, adding that “This open demand has become necessary due to the refusal by Chief Oyegun to settle his commitments to the APC, the party that gave him the platform to tower politically,” the APC chairman stressed.
Odigie-Oyegun, the first civilian governor of Edo State, however poohpoohed APC’s claims, dismissing them as baseless, and a sign of panic within the ruling party.
He said the allegations were driven by growing unease within the APC following the emergence of the ADC as a strong political force.
“People will have a good laugh at that. All I can say is that negative as what they are doing, it finally shows that they now know they have problems with the advent of the ADC,” he said.
Accusing the APC of responding to the rise of the ADC with hostility rather than constructive political engagement, Odigie-Oyegun posited that “They now know they are in trouble. We are ready for them. Whatever they do, we are ready. They are finally acknowledging that there is a threat to them in Nigeria”.
The ADC leader further accused the ruling party of dragging Edo State into political disrepute through what he described as violence, intimidation, and abusive rhetoric.
“They have dragged Edo State down into the mud. The only thing they can do is violence and unnecessary attacks. Instead of thinking, planning, and strategising, they resort to violence and abusive, stupid statements,” he said.
Reaffirming the ADC’s readiness to engage politically through legitimate means, Odigie-Oyegun maintained that the party remained firmly grounded.
“We are on ground, and whatever way they want to choose, we are waiting for them,” he stated.
Weighing in on the matter, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, lambasted Tenebe, stating that he lacked the locus to speak on administrative decision of the former APC National Chairman or to audit his bureaucracy.
Dr. Osifo said “Jarret does not have the moral or society status to dent the internationally known integrity of Oyegun. It was the integrity and background of Oyegun that gave APC victory in 2015.
“Jarret was not near APC. They are grumbling that Oyegun left the party; he cannot be associated with deceit and lawlessness”.