Oshiomhole, Buhari stall R-APC defection plan

The recent approach by President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to influential leaders of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) may have stalled the planned mass defection of members of the group, TheNation reports.

Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and four APC governors met on Thursday with Senate President Bukola Saraki on the grievances of the group while Oshiomhole has also met individually with the likes of Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara,Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and ex-Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwakwaso, as well as the  APC caucus in the National Assembly with a view to dousing the defection fire.

Sources in R-APC said the peace talks of the last few days have succeeded in slowing down their defection plan.

Feelers from the meeting indicated that the president urged the aggrieved APC chieftains not to dump the ruling party.

The meeting took place a day after the Senate President and some governors met with the national chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus. The governors were Abdufatah Ahmed of Kwara, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

An R-APC chieftain in Kwara State said there are strong indications that the planned defection process may be put on hold in the face of what he described as ‘ongoing reappraisals.’ He added that a meeting of the leadership of the group may hold early this week to determine the next line of action following certain unforeseen developments.