By Contraversies have trailed the Edo State APC following the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the Party’s National Chairman.
A development, which only happend few days after Governor Obaseki was disqualified from the Edo State Governorship Primaries.
As the Edo APC happens to be a kite flying in an hurricane, several party-men have laid claim to the chairmanship of the party.
The claimants to the position of Acting National Chairman of APC are; Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Lawal Shaibu and Victor Giadom.
Considering the merits of the trio;
Abiola Ajimobi claims he is the National Deputy Chairman (South) and the Constitution of the party provides for him to act for the chairman from his zone.
But by law, the position of the National Deputy Chairman South is still vacant as that same constitution states clearly how one can assume that office.
His unilateral appointment by the former chairman or the NWC does not meet the requirements of the Constitution. And he knows it, that’s why the equally illegally appointed National Secretary has not signed any official correspondence from the party secretariat since their supposed appointment. At such, he is just an interloper.
Lawal Shaibu, who is the National Deputy Chairman North, hinges his claim to the Acting National Chairman position on the legal vacancy of the position of Acting National Chairman South stated above.
He was suspended by the NWC, albeit in contravention of the Constitution of the party, and later recalled in the aftermath of the suspension of the former chairman.
However, the Constitution does not provide for him to act for a Chairman not from his zone, even in the absence of his colleague from the other zones. The Constitution is silent on this so he can not assume the Acting chairmanship position constitutionally.
He would need a court interpretation/order or appointment by the NEC (which can constitutionally act as a national convention) before he can assume the position. He has got neither of the above.
Victor Giadom is the Deputy National secretary and he lays claim because of the constitutional vacancy of the Deputy National Chairman and the National Secretary. Since those appointments have not been ratified yet by the NEC, they are still vacant. And this is true.
But above all, he has got a court order recognizing him as the Acting National Chairman. So until that order is set aside, he appears to be the legally recognized Acting National Chairman of the party.
