Oshiomole Says ‘Instrument Of Election Manipulation’ as was the case in 2015 won’t be with PDP In 2019

Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says his party will win the governorship election in Taraba State in 2019 because the “instrument of manipulation” will not be with the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) any longer.

Aisha Alhassan, candidate of the APC, looked to be winning the election in 2015 but Darius Ishaku of the PDP was eventually declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to Oshiomhole, APC won that election but was “manoeuvred out”.

Oshiomhole said this on Wednesday when he received two delegations of Taraba State party leaders — Alhassan, Minister for Women Affairs and Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf — at the party secretariat in Abuja.

The duo were on a solidarity visit following Oshiomhole’s election as APC Chairman at the national convention last weekend.

Oshiomhole assured the delegations that one of his top priorities was to address the disputes arising from the party’s congresses and the national convention, adding that he was awaiting the report of the National Convention Committee chaired by the Jigawa State Governor, Alh. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

“We must work to present a united front ahead of the 2019 general elections. Wherever we have a crack, we will mend it as soon as possible. On our part, we will be guided by principle of fairness and justice,” he said.

“The determination to win the governorship election in Taraba and the presidential election is enough incentive for compromise… We won the Taraba governorship election in 2015, but were manoeuvred out. In 2019, those manipulation instruments will not be at their disposal.”

Speaking on behalf of one of the delegations, Yusuf congratulated Oshiomhole on his election as National Chairman, expressing confidence in his ability to resolve disputations within the party, particularly in Taraba State.

“We have witnessed with great excitement your flawless and overwhelming affirmation as the APC National Chairman,” Yusuf said.

“This unprecedented show of love and respect attests to your long-standing reputation as an honest, fearless and dispassionate leader

“As dedicated party members, we are not unaware of the internal problems dogging our great party but are fully convinced and confident that as the right man for the job, you will bring your well-known competence and impartiality to bear on all the contentious issues awaiting your attention, especially as they affect Taraba State.” He said.”