APC national chairman: Oshiomhole emerges consensus candidate

…as Ebri steps down
Ahead of the elective convention of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja tomorrow, the former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole may coast home to victory as the national chairman of the party unchallenged.

This is as the last contender and former Cross River State Governor Clement Ebri suddenly pulled out of the race barely 24 hours to the actual contest, citing party concerns and “desire to ensure rancor-free convention”

The Daily Times recalls that other contestants as Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire had, in a similar manner, backed out of the race and pledged allegiance to the candidature of Oshiomhole.

In a statement made available last night, Ebri said “Following deep consultations with my family, friends, associates, party leaders and other stakeholders in the APC, I have reached the decision to withdraw my candidacy from the race of the national chairmanship of the APC.”

He added that his decision was taken out of the over all interest of the party and his belief that participants must “row in the smart rancour free direction as we approach the general election”.

Candidates To Emerge Through Affirmation, Voice Votes.
Also, as a buildup to the elective convention, candidates who have been cleared for the contest for various national offices were on Thursday given certificates for participation at the party’s convention secretariat in Abuja.

Giving an idea as to how delegates will emerge, Secretary of the convention committee, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), said “There is a contest clearly. Where there is one candidate, they will either vote by affirmation or through voice vote.

“Everybody has a right to vote and to present himself to be voted for. So, the issue of consensus cannot come from us. The issue of consensus can either come from the candidates themselves or stakeholders front their different zones.

“I think 20 positions are unopposed but as we get close to the convention, there will be a lot of horse trading and I believe many more zones will be able to agree on a few positions.

“Court cases will not prevent delegates from certain states, we have a number of court processes which we are reviewing and I am sure by this night a clear position will emerge.

Eyes On National Secretary Position
On the flip side, the race for the position of the national secretary seems to be the cynosure of all eyes as contestants continue to battle for the office despite the reported “anointed candidate” and incumbent, Mai Mala Buni.

Two contenders for the office of the national scribe, Arc Waziri Bulama and Hon. Abdulrahman Terab have punctured the idea of anointing any candidate for the office insisting that a true democratic process should be allowed to play out.