The option of a waiver granted the John Oyegun led National Working Committee, NWC and party executives at all levels to seek re- election into leadership positions of the party in the planned congresses of the All Progressive Congress portends diverse political implications for the party in Imo State.
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This is against the backdrop of a fierce battle for supremacy in Imo APC between Governor Rochas Okorocha led Rescue Mission camp and other stakeholders mainly governorship aspirants who are also interested in how the party runs in Imo State.
When tenure elongation was announced for the John Oyegun led National Working Committee and party executives at all levels, it was uhuru for aggrieved party stakeholders in Imo APC who had lamented on how the party was hijacked by Okorocha all in a bid to have his way in producing a successor.
As the euphoria of tenure elongation lasted, Imo State APC held an all inclusive stakeholders meeting for the first time. That meeting marked a turning point for the party as the aggrieved in the party found their voice.
When President Muhammadu Buhari now sang a new song and objected to tenure elongation, the hurrays gradually gave way to sober reflection. Now that the exit of Oyegun and party executives is a reality, the option of waiver granted to them indicates that there is still a level playing ground for all stakeholders in the party. It also indicates that the party leadership did not totally handover the party structures to State Governors who constitute the biggest influence peddling bloc in the APC.
President Buhari who announced his intention to seek re- election at the APC NEC meeting must have understood the inherent political dynamics in the party which led him to announce a waiver for the present executives as a precondition for them to aspire to any party leadership position during Congresses.
Relatively, this is a clear indication that the battle for the soul of Imo APC is open to all and none of the antagonists have their way yet. Certainly, the battle of wits continues.