Former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has resolved to team up with his progressive comrades in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Disclosing this when the leadership of the party led by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande paid him a courtesy call in his home in Benin City, Oyegun who was a former chieftain of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), wondered why “friends who share similar progressive views have been kept apart for so long”.
“Finally I think I’m home. As soon as they decide on the event (Day of his open declaration), they will know that I Oyegun has a national appeal. When the date of the proper event is fixed, you will all come”, he said
While expressing great delight to receive friends he has known for so long in his abode, Oyegun, the first civilian governor of Edo state said,
“The ACN has become the catalyst of development in Nigeria. With the young, dynamic and forthright people in ACN some of who have now become governors, I’m beginning to see a core of young dynamic people who are going to shape the new reality in the country. There’s now a reality that things can be done in Nigeria. It is giving people hope that things can work in this country”.
Turning to Oshiomhole, he said, “Now my mind is at rest with Edo State. My concern is how we can transform what we are doing here to national politics. Oshiomhole is a man imbued with lots of vision. To keep pace with him is a problem. I’ve asked him many times where he’s getting the money from and will still ask him the same question here. Thank God for your life, only God knows what would have happened if the perpetrators of that incident (convoy crash where three journalists were killed) had hit their target”,
Reacting to the allegation by the opposition People’s Democratic Party over a purported N10 billion mansion being built by the governor, Oyegun said, “When you finish in Edo State, all Edo people will build a mansion for you”.
Responding, Chief Akande who was accompanied on the visit by Oshiomhole, former governors of Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti States, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Segun Osoba and Chief Adeniyi Adebayo and National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Layi Mohammed said, “Birds of the same feather flock together. I can see that John has the same feather with all of us here”.
Also speaking, Oshiomhole said, “Our elder statesman (Oyegun) has always been with us even though he has been a member of the ANPP. He has always identified with us. His glowing comments on what we’re doing in Edo angered some people within his former party who were working for the PDP”.
Others who joined the ACN delegation on the visit to Oyegun include, the party’s national leader, Chief Tom Ikimi, National Vice Chairman, South South, Pastor Ize Iyamu, Chairman, Edo state branch of the party, Rt Hon Thomas Okosun and Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Festus Ebea.
