Rochas Okorocha, Godwin Obaseki, Ibikunle Amosun and other APC leaders fighting to remove Oshiomhole

Despite recording key electoral victories, especially in Kogi state where the performance (or lack of it) of Yahaya Bello made defeat a likely prospect and the rare victory in Bayelsa state for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is locked in an intense and frenetic battle to keep his job as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

There has been multiple attempts – subtle and public - to mobilize important stakeholders and force Oshiomhole through the exit but the National Chairman has survived thus far due to his backing by the likes of Bola Tinubu, APC’s National Leader, according to reports.

If Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is to overcome and continue as the official leader of the ruling party in the coming year, here are some of the leaders in the party he may have to pacify or decimate as they are reportedly leading the charge of the camp determined to kick out Oshiomhole.

Rochas Okorocha

Embattled, confused and facing the real prospect of suffering severe damage to his ambition, the immediate past governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, in front of journalists, lamented that the APC has repaid his sacrifices with evil and Adams Oshiomhole is the lead agent in his acclaimed unfair treatment.

He had, at the time, won an election to represent his district in the National Assembly as a Senator but INEC weirdly withheld the certificate confirming his victory, claiming that an official had announced him winner under duress.

With good reason, he suspected the decision of INEC was influenced by those who were out to punish him for his activities as governor of the state and Oshiomhole, who was taking a principled albeit rancorous stand against the highhandedness of Governors who felt invincible, refused to spare Okorocha in public, accusing him of attempting to set up ‘Okorocha Dynasty’ in Imo state.

Although Okorocha may have crossed many lines with his iberiberism, including an odious attempt to install his son-in-law as his successor and directly leading another party to counter the APC when the ticket went to Hope Uzodinma, there is no doubt that he remains greatly influential in the party and could inflict damage on Oshiomhole.

Ibikunle Amosun

The story of Amosun is similar to that Okorocha. Assured of his political strength and seeking to extend his control of the political structure of Ogun state beyond his tenure as two-term Governor, Amosun tried to manipulate the machinations of the party to produce a certain Akinlade who is widely considered his loyal side-kick as the candidate of the APC against a better-known Prince Dapo Abiodun who, according to reports, had invested greatly in the state’s chapter of the party and was due the ticket.

Safe to say Oshiomhole, as National Chairman of the APC, slammed Amosun and adopted the primary that produced Dapo Abiodun [a position also supported by Vice President Osinbajo]. Amosun took the bull by its horn, asked his loyalists to leave the party for a new one and went into the election as his own party’s primary opposition, a weird development that subsequently led to his suspension even though he secured a seat in the National Assembly.

His now-lifted suspension nonetheless, Amosun’s personal relationship with the President has kept him above water and kept his influence within the party intact, a fact evidenced by his reported securing of federal appointments for his loyalists.

Safe to say he is not happy with either Oshiomhole or Professor Yemi Osinbajo and he is not a good enemy to have from the sole perspective of political tussle.

Godwin Obaseki

The conflict between Obaseki and Oshiomhole in Edo State is already well-reported. But the twist is: Obaseki has been holding his own and appears to be on a rampage, contrary to the expectation of many. In fact, he has repeatedly rejected peace moves, an indication that he believes he could truly win the contest and lay his master to rest.

Many reports identify him as central to the fight to remove Oshiomhole, using his unfettered access to state powers as bait and instrument of war.

Other leaders said to be feuding with Oshiomhole over a likely ambition to run in 2023 includes Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State, and Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.