I was left lonely after APC sacked me as Chairman, but Wike gave me hope – Oshiomhole

By Jethro Ibileke

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday recounted how he was left isolated by his party and close associates after his removal from office in 2020.

Oshiomhole made the disclosure in Benin City during the commissioning and handover of 54 pieces of construction equipment to the 18 local government chairmen in Edo State.

The former Edo State governor recalled that he was effectively abandoned by party leaders and members following his suspension and eventual removal as APC national chairman.

It would be recalled that Oshiomhole was suspended from office by the Abuja Court of Appeal on June 16, 2020, after his earlier suspension by the party executive in his ward in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Reflecting on the period, Oshiomhole said despite leading the APC to victory in the presidential election against the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he found himself politically isolated when he was removed.

“When I was dismissed, I became lonely and I was abandoned by my party and and the people.

“During the period, people were even afraid of visiting him because they could be termed anti-party,” he said.

The former labour leader further revealed that during that period of isolation, he received an unexpected gesture from the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who was then Governor of Rivers State under the PDP.

According to him, Wike invited him to Port Harcourt to commission projects despite their political differences.

“inviting me to come to Port Harcourt to commission projects even when I was abusing PDP.”

Oshiomhole said that singular gesture restored his confidence and reignited his political spirit, adding that Edo people would show gratitude to the minister.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, cautioned Nigerians against what he described as “emergency democrats” seeking to mislead the public.

Apparently referring to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Wike criticised certain politicians who, according to him, are suddenly projecting themselves as grassroots figures.

“Now you are doing what you haven’t done before by buying corn from the roadside sellers just because you want to deceived the people.

“Now they are claiming to be democrats and man of the people, only because you want to deceive the people,” he said.

Wike stated that while such individuals were engaging in public theatrics, President Bola Tinubu was focused on delivering projects across the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.

He added that as a PDP member, he could not contest the outcome of the FCT election because he acknowledged the impact of Tinubu’s performance on the results.

“That is why we (PDP), take second in the election and it is better to take second than to fail,” he said, adding that with the FCT election, Nigerians now know which party is the ruling party and the opposition party

Wike stressed that political success is built on solid foundations.

He noted that his rise in politics was anchored on his performance as a local government chairman, stating that once the foundation is properly laid, “the sky is the limit.”