The current National Working Committee led by John Odigie-Oyegun will need more than luck to retain its office.
There are strong indications that northern governors in the All Progressives Congress have withdrawn their support for the elongation of the tenure of the party’s NWC.
Reports emerged on Saturday that the party’s supporters are looking for an alternative national leader to replace Oyegun.
Key supporters of the party’s National Chairman, especially northern governors, were said to have shelved their earlier decision to sink or sail with the chairman.
A highly-placed party leader, said the President’s move during last Tuesday’s National Executive Council meeting was akin to a “checkmate in a game of chess.”
The party leader said, “President Muhammadu Buhari is the main reason why Chief Oyegun lasted this long as chairman, many may not know or simply choose to disagree with this fact.
“Some of our governors, who felt comfortable with Oyegun’s leadership style, aligned with certain interests at the Villa to convince the President on the need to allow Odigie-Oyegun to complete his term despite resistance from people like Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.
“The argument then was that we should not behave like the Peoples Democratic Party where party chairmen were changed almost every year.
“They further argued that removing Odigie-Oyegun at that time, no matter his perceived indiscretions, would create some sort of instability within our party.
“It is not easy to convince President Buhari, but once he is convinced about something, he supports it wholeheartedly."
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