Oshiomhole recalls being politically isolated after 2020 APC chair removal, praising Wike for support that restored his confidence and political spirit
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday recounted how he was politically isolated after his removal from office in 2020.
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Oshiomhole shared his experience during the commissioning and handover of 54 construction equipment units to 18 local government chairmen in Edo State’s Benin City.
He recalled that following his suspension and eventual removal as APC national chairman, party leaders and members largely abandoned him despite his leadership of the party to victory in the 2019 presidential election against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“When I was dismissed, I became lonely and I was abandoned by my party and the people. During the period, people were even afraid of visiting me because they could be termed anti-party,” Oshiomhole said.
The former labour leader noted that his confidence was restored by an unexpected gesture from Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who was then Governor of Rivers State under the PDP.
Wike invited him to Port Harcourt to commission projects despite their political differences.
“Inviting me to come to Port Harcourt to commission projects even when I was criticising PDP restored my political spirit,” Oshiomhole said, adding that Edo people would remain grateful for the minister’s gesture.
Speaking at the event, Wike warned Nigerians against “emergency democrats” who engage in performative politics to deceive voters, apparently referring to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Now they are claiming to be democrats and men of the people, only because they want to deceive the public,” Wike said, while highlighting that President Bola Tinubu remains focused on delivering projects across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
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Wike emphasised that political success relies on strong foundations, citing his own rise from local government chairman as proof that solid groundwork enables long-term achievement.
