Cracks In APC: Sheriff, Others Set To Defect

Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno State

Following the outcome of the All Progressive Congress (APC) national convention which held on Friday, former governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff along with other aggrieved leaders of the party are set to dump the party.

Sheriff who spoke with Daily Trust correspondent through his close associate, Dr. Umar Duhu, a former interim national vice chairman of the APC, expressed his displeasure over the emergence of John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State, as national chairman of the APC and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State as national secretary because he had been in support of former foreign affairs minister Tom Ikimi and Kashim Ibrahim Imam for the two positions.

According to Sheriff, he was not only victimized but his associates Kashim Imam, Umar Duhu and Tom Ikimi whose house was used in the actualization of the merger of APC were schemed out of positions in the party.

Describing the outcome of the congress as a witch-hunt and a charade orchestrated by Buhari and Tinubu’s men who want to actualize their Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, he said he does not accept the results of the convention and is contemplating joining another party, though he is yet to decide.

Ikimi has said he will issue a statement soon on the issue to express his position.

Meanwhile the leaders of APC are said to be making frantic efforts to cement the cracks within the party.

When contacted, the national publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the party will respond to the grievances raised by Ikimi and the others in due course.

APC held its First National Convention in Abuja over the weekend and  Chief John Oyegun emerged as the party’s national chairman.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh congratulated the newly-elected leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).