By Ebriku John Friday
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, together with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun and other national officers of the party, shunned the local government campaigns flag-off held on Saturday in the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.
The decision of the national leadership of the party to stay away from the campaign flag-off could not be ascertained as at press time, but reliable information at our disposal has it that the development is coming on the heels of a petition to President Buhari by a foremost APC support group in the state, Friends of Buhari – Osinbajo Organization, and signed by the group’s state coordinator and state secretary, Chief Ubong Mbeh and Barr. Edidiong Ekere respectively.
According to the source, the presidency and the national leadership of the APC is unhappy with the situation in Akwa Ibom State and the loads of petitions and complains against the state leadership of the party.
It was also gathered that Nsima Ekere, who was in Abuja few days ago to meet with some APC top shots, splashed over a billion naira in an attempt to diffuse the situation in the presidency.
However, his effort was futile as the vice president and other members of the national leadership of the party failed to show up in the local government campaign flag-off.
There is also indication that Nsima Ekere may not attend the event as he was yet to arrive, leaving a scanty crowd of his followers hopelessly waiting under the scorching sun.