Newly sworn in National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged all members to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari in order to move the party to greater heights.
He made the call during his inaugural speech as chairman of the APC at the just concluded national convention of the party.
He started his speech by appreciating the immediate past chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
He described him as the first chairman who led the party to victory in 2015 general elections.
He also praised him for putting his selfish interest aside for the sake of the APC.
“Oyegun did not only lead his party to victory, he left with honour and glory. I thank him for that,” Oshiomhole said.
Speaking about Buhari, he said, party members should learn from the president’s honesty and determination to succeed against all odds.
“First attempt to be president, you lost but you didn’t give up, second attempt, you did not give up. Third attempt you were more determined and fourth attempt you are here as president. I choose to recall this aspect because of many of the legacies you have bequeathed to us.
“If everyone commits himself like Buhari, the party will benefit from it. When people are given responsibilities they should endeavour to carry them out. You are already in history as the first non-millionaire to become president. You invested in only integrity and that is what you presented as your asset and defeated a party that had looted the treasury.”
Speaking on the outcome of the convention, he said that they were all winners.
“The chairman of the convention committee rolled out results. There are winners and losers,” he said, adding, “but truly in a party like ours there can be no losers because we have committed ourselves as it is clearly stated in our oath of allegiance to work for each and every party member.”
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Oshiomole also had kind words for Bukola Saraki by hailing him as one of those who made it possible for the party to be victorious in 2015.
He said: “I want to pay compliments to those governors who participated in the merger process. It includes the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now governor of Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and Senate President Bukola Saraki who led the New PDP to join the other parties that formed the APC. We want to appreciate the foundation you made.
“Like Buhari once said we have no any other country other than Nigeria. We must stay here and salvage it together.”
Oshiomhole also spoke on the challenges within the APC and the plan to overcome.
“As things stand now, we have no other party than the APC. Let us strengthen it so that it can provide comfort to every member irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“I am aware there are challenges here and there but the team that has just been elected has the capacity to address those challenges.
“There are challenges here and there but we are ready. There is no time. Work startstomorrow. I will resume by 8 in the morning,” he said.
