Edo North Senator and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has spoken about the circumstances surrounding his removal from the party’s leadership, describing it as a political decision made during a virtual meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Speaking during an interview on AIT, Oshiomhole reflected on his time as APC chairman, insisting that his leadership played a crucial role in strengthening the party and managing internal challenges after President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory.
According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership successfully resolved the leadership crisis that affected the National Assembly, including both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“I led my party to victory under Buhari. With my colleagues in the National Working Committee, we were able to resolve the leadership tussle in the National Assembly, in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, effortlessly.
“Our president didn’t have to run around the country to talk to people. We did the marketing, explanation, persuasion and all the tools available to manage democracy,” he said.
Oshiomhole stated that after the political system became stable, efforts were made to remove him from office.
According to him, when attempts to remove him through internal party processes failed, his opponents relied on a petition allegedly signed by members of his ward who passed a vote of no confidence in him.
“Once the system got stabilised, I was sacked through Zoom, and when people couldn’t get me removed democratically, they claimed that eight members of my ward signed a petition that they passed a vote of no confidence on me.
“And on that basis, they took the matter to the court, which granted their interim order,” he explained.
The former Edo State governor said he challenged the decision in court and initially secured a favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal.
However, he claimed that the situation changed weeks later when the appellate court revisited the matter.
“I appealed the order. The Court of Appeal quashed it. Three weeks later, the Court of Appeal called us back and restated the order.
“A few days later, I saw for the first time a National Executive Council meeting held by Zoom in the Villa,” Oshiomhole said.
His comments provide fresh insight into the political events that led to his exit as APC national chairman in 2020, a period marked by intense internal disagreements and legal battles within the ruling party.
Despite his removal from the party’s top position, Oshiomhole remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and currently serves as the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District.
