The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new dimension as Babatunde Ogala, national legal adviser of the party, has
The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new dimension as Babatunde Ogala, national legal adviser of the party, has accused Adams Oshiomhole of hijacking his office. In an internal memo dated November 6 and addressed to Oshiomhole, Ogala accused the national chairman of denigrating the party’s legal department.
In the memo, Ogala said since he became the party’s legal adviser on June 25, his department has not been funded. He alleged that Oshiomhole had sidelined him and refused to consult him over issues his office is supposed to handle.
“I am constrained to put this memo and complaint in writing in the light of the repeated acts of usurpation and deliberate encroachment on my office and attempt to undermine my person. You will recall that you have previously done this in two previous matters wherein you had purportedly without recourse to me briefed the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/9265/2018. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu Vs. APC & 1or. and you also without recourse to us debriefed the law firm of Adeniyi Akintola. SAN who had been briefed by the office of Legal Adviser.
“As if that was not enough, you procured a secretary in your office to depose an affidavit on behalf of the party wherein the deponent lied on oath that he had the authority of the party on depose to the said affidavit. The motion filed by the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. also told a lie that processes was served on the Legal Department in a certain suit No: FCT/HC/BW/CV/ 307/2018. Senator Hope Uzodinma vs APC & 2ors but that same was not brought to your notice. This was an assertion that was false in every material particular and an attempt to denigrate the legal department and my office as no such process were never served on the legal department,” he said.
He said the chairman on an earlier occasion had apologised to him after he protested the encroachment into his office. But to his surprise, the situation remained the same. The legal adviser said the latest attempt to usurp his office was a move by Oshiomhole using Ibrahim Masari, national welfare secretary.
“I was elected to protect the party constitution, and not have same disobeyed by will, I will not shirk the responsibility,” said.
This is coming weeks after Oshiomhole fell out with some governors over the outcome of the party’s primary elections across the country. He was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) based on allegations of bribery levelled against him. While the party chairman has denied the allegations, the opposition has taken advantage of it, calling on anti-graft agencies to probe Oshiomhole. The latest crisis is coming three months to the general election and at a time the ruling party ought to be focused on the campaigns which kicked off on Sunday in line with the schedule of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
TheCable
