The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, has reacted to the allegations that he was compromised in the crisis engulfing his party.
Some party chieftains had accused Oyegun of being bribed to ensure that Senator Bukola Saraki, emerges Senate President.
In an interview with Vanguard, Oyegun dares anyone who has proof of such claims to expose him publicly.
“Well, the issue is simple. Gratification to do what and for whom? And what have I done to justify that gratification except to stand as neutral as possible in the circumstance and emphasize adherence to the supremacy of the party. So that is it. Gratification for what? Let anybody who says he brought come out and say that. It is a public thing. It is my integrity they are trying to smear. That comes only through blackmail from some forces that feel that I am standing in the way for whatever their intentions are. But that is neither here nor there. What’s important is that we must put our party back together again and focus on the promises we have made to the Nigerian people.”
Speaking further, the APC Chairman, also categorically denied belonging to any of the warring factions of his party, adding that he’s been neutral in the internal crisis of the past few weeks.
“People are trying to push me in one direction or the other but one thing I have to my credit is my neutrality. I don’t belong to any of the contending power blocs in the party. And of course, that has its price. And that is why you have heard a lot of it directed personally to smear me. I have built a reputation that has lasted for over 70 years. I don’t have to go and be taking peanuts from some political gladiators. So, whatever they try to do, they cannot smear my character. If anybody has given me gratification to do anything, let him come out and say so, where and when and how much.”
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