SOUTH-South leaders recently lavished praise on John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for broadening the vision of the party beyond winning the Presidency and majority of the states.

“The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is carrying out effectively the functions and duties of the office of the national chairman. He has done well. APC is a great political party, an institutional entity. The party has attracted competent and talented individuals in Nigeria,” they said.

Besides, the leaders in a statement in Yenegoa by the South-South Leaders Forum, SSLF, applauded the Odigie_Oyegun for stopping selfish politicians from hijacking the ruling party and destroying the nation’s democracy.

They also commended him for his inclusive style, greater transparency and openness in the affairs of the party.

“Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is doing what is best for the party. We thank him for the election of progressives across all parts of the country.”

The statement signed by  Uche Amadi, the leader of the group, said that the claims by Timi Frank, suspended deputy national publicity secretary of the APC, and his supporters that the APC was dead were baseless and untrue.

“APC is not dead. We do not need autopsy. The party is alive and well in the presidency, National Assembly, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The party is strong and visible in Nigeria.”

Describing Frank’s comment as wrong and immature, the leaders said “the suspended deputy national publicity secretary and his sponsors had done a disservice to the ruling party.”

“APC is not in trouble. The party is in power and has real political message for Nigerians. Its brand carries a lot that is positive. It is not losing any ground” the leaders said.

Emphasising Oyegun’s hatred for undemocratic tendencies, the leaders insisted that the party was not divided.

“APC is not walking wounded. It is not divided or in electoral trouble. It is not in a crisis of meaning, identity and trust.”

They urged Timi Frank to retract his comment.

“Timi Frank and his sponsors are not democrats. They don’t care about the party. He and his sponsors want to destroy APC,” the statement said further.

Aug 7,2017 @ 14:00GMT