APC convention: Oyegun emerges National Chairman

Former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has been elected National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the party’s first national convention in Abuja.
Also, interim National Secretary, Tijjani Tumsah emerged the substantive National Secretary after the withdrawal of Alhaji Kashim Imam from the race. His withdrawal was announced by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Though voting that commenced by 12.32am was still going on as at press time, indication to the fact that Oyegun is the new chairman emerged when no mention was made of the other remaining contestant, Chief Tom Ikimi.
Former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva had earlier announced his withdrawal from the race in the interest of the party.
With the development, what was still being awaited was his formal announcement as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
Similarly, former governor of Ekiti State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decampee, Chief Segun Oni emerged Deputy National Chairman (South) unopposed. Oni occupied the same position in his former party before he was removed through a court order. Former national secretary  of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Lawal Shuaibu was also returned unopposed as deputy national chairman (North).
The interim spokesperson of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was also returned unopposed as national publicity secretary.
Oyegun’s emergence was said to be a product of an intense horse trading that culminated with the withdrawal of other contestants.
Virtually, the entire officers were returned through a consensus.
That notwithstanding, delegates were still voting to ratify the selection apparently to meet Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guideline for party convention.
Meanwhile, prominent members of the party who addressed the delegates before the commencement of voting said the 2015 elections is an opportunity for loyalists of the party to join hands in effecting a regime change at all tiers of government. Leadership