APC Chairmanship: Osunbor withdraws from race

…As Party inspects convention venue
Ahead of the All Progressives National Convention (APC) holding on Saturday, the former Governor of Edo State and National Chairmanship aspirant, Osereimhen Osunbor, has dropped his aspiration to become national chairman of the party.

Disclosing his withdrawal from the race in a press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday and endorsing the immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is also in the race, Osunbor said he did so to respect the order of the Presidency.

Recall that one of the contenders, a United-Kingdom based member of the party, Ibrahim Emokpaire had also withdrawn from the race to support Oshiomhole.

He said: “I withdraw from the race to avoid unduly prolonging the voting exercise during the national convention in the interest of a rancour-free national convention and to ease the work of the National Convention Committee and in the overall interest of our party the All Progressives Congress”.

“I have decided to withdraw from the race and also endorse Adams Oshiomhole”, he added.

The contest will now be between former governor of Cross State, Clement Ebri and Adams Oshiomhole who is believed to be enjoying the backing of National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ex-interim Chairman of the Party, Chief Bisi Akande and governors elected under the party’s platform.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the party’s National Convention Committee, Abike Dabiri told journalist late Wednesday night that the committee will be inspecting the National Eagle Square, venue of the party Convention on Thursday, 21st June (Today) to ascertain the readiness of the grand event.

She said the inspection of the venue is necessary so as not to leave any stone unturned in recognition of the importance of the convention.

The spokesperson also disclosed that aspirants vying for different national positions in the party will meet with the committee at the Convention Secretariat after inspecting the venue.

“The party has a total of 48 aspirants vying for different national positions, the meeting with the committee headed by the Jigawa Governor, Abubakar Badaru is to see how the number of aspirants can be brought down to a minimal level to avoid rancour and litigation.

“We don’t want to give room to mistakes”, Abike said.

The Party Governors known as the Progressives Governors Forum met at the Imo State Governors Lodge Assokoro yesterday, 20th June in preparation for the National convention of the party.

The Meeting which had all the APC Governors in attendance was hosted by the Chairman of the Progressives Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.