By Tayo Alabi
Victor Gaidom, Deputy national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday declared himself as national chairman of the party.
Gaidom spoke at a press conference, held at the party Secretariat in Abuja.
On Tuesday, the court of appeal upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the party.
An Abuja high court in March 2020 ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the APC.
Oshiomhole appealed against the judgment. The appellate court had asked the party to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
However a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu on Tuesday, appointed Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo state, as the acting national chairman of the party.
But Gaidom based his take over of the party on the order of the trial court that initially suspended Oshiomhole.
“I bring to your notice that on the 16th of March 2020, Hon Justice S.U. Bature in suit no FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 had ordered that, with the earlier suspension of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomohle, I Chief. Hon Victor Giadom should act as National Chairman of our great party,” he said.
“That Order could not be immediately effected at that time because of the temporary reprieve Adams Oshiomohle got from the Court of Appeal on the same date.
“However, having removed the temporary reprieve yesterday by the Court of Appeal and considering the fact that we cannot allow for a vaccum, I most humbly inform you that I have assumed office as Acting National Chairman of our great party in compliance with the order of the court” Gaidom said.
