Stepdown Adams Oshiomole from the ongoing 2022 APC nomination process, group cries out

Controversies on Adams Alliu Oshiomole, the former Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) especially relating to his credibility to participate in the ongoing Nomination Exercise for the 2023 general election has surfaced, as group warns against fielding him as a candidate in the general election.

This came to the fore on Friday when the group, led by its coordinator, Steven Asemah, stormed the APC national headquarters in a protest citing several controversial legal landmines before the former Governor of Edo State, implored the party’ leadership to stepdown his nomination, and ensure that he doesn’t emerge a flagbearer in the presidential or senatorial race which they claimed he is an aspirant.

“Based on a subsisting indictment in May 14th 2020, by Justice James Oyomire(rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report which indicted Adams Alliu Oshiomole on the gross breach of the Edo State Public Procurement Law in the N1.4billion Supply and Installations of medical Equipments by VAMED Engineering Nigeria Limited(January 4th 2015). 

“And that on December 23rd,2015 Contract Awards of N12.2billion to A&K Construction Ltd and another N2.5billion to Sageto Ltd for Constructions of a Teaching Hospital and Senate building respectively in the Edo University Iyamho, were also fraught with breaches of the State’s Procurement laws. 

“The Constitutionality of the powers of state governors to institute administrative or judicial commissions of enquiry within their areas of jurisdiction is no longer contentious, because powers of state governments to legislate on matters is in the residual list of the 1999 Constitution. 

“Furthermore, the Attorney-General of Edo state has powers to prosecute any person accused of committing state offences, such as the indictment of Adams Oshiomole.

 “It is also a dent of credibiliy on Adams Alliu Oshiomole if he has not disclosed his aforesaid indictment in his 2022 APC Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms. Any such non-disclosure by Adams Oshiomole will be contrary Article 7(iv) and 21.2(v) of the APC Constitution.

“The authenticity of Oshiomole membership status after his suspension remains an unsettled fundamental issue.We recall that as at August 24, 2021 Justice D.Z. Senchi of an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi, ruled that “Pursuant to the Motion on Notice, No. FCT/HC/M/8148/2020, dated and filed on 1/7/2020 discontinuing this suit at the instance of the Plaintiffs/Applicants and the Defendants/Respondents not opposing the application for discontinuance, the application is hereby granted and suit is dismissed. Parties to bear their respective cost, if any.” it was a suit filed by Comrade Mustapha Saliu, Oshawo Steven and four others over the purported suspension of the former APC National Chairman by his ward 10 APC Executives, Etsako West Local Governments Area of Edo State.
An Abuja High Court had earlier asked Oshiomhole to Step Aside as National Chairman of the APC pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Lower Court, and Oshiomhole stepped aside.

The Plaintiffs were expected to return to the Lower Court to commence the hearing of the substantive suit, instead they filed an application seeking a withdrawal of the substantive suit.(Probably after a political mediation).

“Although on June 20th, 2020 the suspension letter was purported lifted by 17 Wars Executives.but if the case was withdrawn from court,that does not validate the Membership status of Oshiomole.  if the suspension was lifted,did it duely comply with Section 21C(I & v) of the APC Constitution.

“The validity of individuals picking dual Nomination Forms within the same Nomination process of a Political Party is not a controversial political habit that is exposed to legal challenge anytime. Consequently, Oshiomole’s dual aspiration(for Presidency & Senate) within APC 2022 Nomination process, is a disregard for internal democracy, APC constitution, INEC Guidelines, Electoral Act 30,35,115d, 115k &.1999 Constitution”, Asemah stated.

He concluded that in view of the precarious opposition status of APC in Edo state,  electoral prospects may be hijacked if Oshiomole is considered for nomination. 

“We therefore advise the APC Appeal Screening Committee to curtail avoidable technical losses of APC in Edo-North”, he said. 

He therefore called on the Appeal Committee to review and stepdown Adams Alliu Oshiomole from the ongoing 2022 APC nomination process.