PUNCH
There were controversies, on Sunday, over the alleged resignation of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
While some sources confirmed to The PUNCH that the embattled chairman had resigned from his position, others said it was a rumour.
The PUNCH could not officially confirm the alleged resignation as of press time, while top APC chieftains contacted by our correspondents gave conflicting information.
This is coming two days before the long-awaited crucial National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings of the party.
An APC NWC member confirmed the alleged resignation to our correspondent on Sunday night on condition of anonymity.
Also, our correspondent could not immediately confirm when Adamu threw in the towel, but he was said to have been ordered to quit by President Bola Tinubu.
It was gathered that his resignation letter was delivered to the President by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
The APC spokesman, Felix Mouka, did not respond to calls and a message seeking clarification on the development but sources attributed it to Adamu’s failure to support Tinubu’s presidential aspiration ahead of the party’s convention.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said he could not deny or confirm the development.
He said, “I cannot say anything for now. I read the purported resignation of our National Chairman like most Nigerians but this is all I can say for now.”
The PUNCH also reached out to a former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, who promised to get back; a pledge he had yet to fulfil as of the time of filing this report.
However, the NWC source disclosed that they were disappointed by the action of the former Nasarawa governor, who he said did not deem it important to even address them before submitting his resignation letter.
He said, “We just heard the news this evening too like every other person that the chairman has resigned. I understand it was a directive from the presidency. I learnt it was the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, who personally handed over the president’s letter to him.
“But we find his action demeaning. He could have, at least, briefed us as members of the same NWC before taking the decision.
“With his resignation, I don’t think he will be at the meeting tomorrow. In his absence, the Deputy National Chairman for North, Senator Abubakar Kyari, will take over in line with the Constitution. It is the norm that once a national chairman resigns, the deputy national chairman from his zone will take over in an acting capacity. Although we can’t have the official confirmation until tomorrow, my sources are very reliable,” he said.
The PUNCH could not independently confirm the claim by the NWC member. The paper could not also confirm if Kyari would chair the meeting.
It was also gathered that the governors asked Adamu to resign to avoid being sacked at the forthcoming party’s National Executive Committee meeting.
A top source, who was privy to the development, said though the former governor of Nasarawa State was reluctant to resign, the overwhelming decision of the governors made him change his decision.
However, a source very close to the APC chairman told The PUNCH that, “It is not true. But some people, I learnt, have decided to see him today or tomorrow to pressurise him to resign.”
