By Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, Friday reaffirmed that the APC was not enmeshed in crisis, saying that those against him were politicians scheming to take over control of the party ahead of the 2019 elections.
Speaking at a retreat organised by the Kano State government for party members in Sokoto yesterday, Oyegun declared that APC was very strong and not in crisis contrary to insinuations in the media.
He revealed that some politicians were bent on taking over the control of the party and reposition themselves ahead of the 2019 polls.
“As far as the fate of the national chairman is concerned, it is neither here nor there. What is happening is not about the national chairman or me.
“Unfortunately, people now have their eyes on 2019. And to prepare for 2019, some people think they need to take over control of the party but I want to assure you that this party belongs to all of us.
“We want to have a party that will not be controlled by any single individual. Of course, some people are not happy with their share of the way things are going. What is politics without argument and differences?
“APC is not in crisis, if the party is in crisis the leadership and governors will be divided. So, APC is strong and the party leadership is united towards a common goal”, he said.
He noted that despite the differences in opinion in the party, the leadership was determined to resolve the differences and issues.
On the economy, Oyegun averred that Buhari inherited a comatose economy and was doing his best to steer the nation out of recession.
He assured Nigerians that following the reforms embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari, the country would at the end of the day be a better place for all.
“The President is determined to build a nation that will develop its agriculture and exploit all its mineral resources rather than solely depend on oil. We have a captain on the ship that is committed to ensuring that the country will not go back to this economic crunch again.
“The good news is that the economy will soon bounce back and by next year, Nigeria will start producing and our industries will be back to life, “Oyegun averred.
In a remark, Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said the retreat was apt, as it would enable the Kano State government to refocus on key issues of development.
Also speaking, the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said his administration organised the retreat in order to take stock and reposition the party “We are here to harness the demand of the electorate so as to articulate their views for onward transmission to the government for effective policy”, he said.
He charged the participants to make use of what they will learn to move the party to greater heights.
The retreat was attended by party executives, members of House of Representatives, state legislators and party chairmen representing 44 local government areas in Kano state.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was however absent during the retreat held at the Giginya Hotel, Sokoto.
