Bamidele Fasube
There are clear indications on the imminent crack in the All Progressive Congress (APC), over the raging controversy on who replaces the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alh Lai Mohammed.
The party leadership had commenced shopping for a worthwhile and dependable party scribe since emergence of the new government.
Prior to emergence of Lai Mohammed as Minister of Information and Culture, Timi Frank was the party constitutionally recognized Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC.
Though, a loyalist to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, but Frank is known for his controversial positions often time against leadership of the party or his former immediate boss.
A good instance was his criticism against Mohammed on who the National Leader of the party was and the Senate crisis.
During an award night to celebrate about 30 distinguished Nigerians who contributed immensely to transition of the APC from an opposition party to ruling government, Frank was announced and recognized as the Ag. National Publicity Secretary of the APC.
The announcement which was made either out of error or prior motive caused a little humming in the congested hall filled with top APC bigwigs but quickly, the MC switched to welcome other distinguished Senators such as Dino Melaye, Femi Kila among others.
In a briefing recently, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun clearly stated that the position was still vacant.
He said the party would temporarily brief the public via the media or through his public statement as party chairman. He went on to emphasis that until the party elects a new spokesperson, the responsibility was on him and the party National Secretary, Mai buni.
“It was a great loss of Lai Mohammed to the Executive but he’s still within the system. He was truly very special and unique but as we speak, the National Secretary of the party has largely on temporary basis taking up the job of communication to the press and myself (as the Chairman) is always available to any enquiry,” Oyegun said.
When asked if Frank had stepped into the shoes of the former scribe, the chairman said, “I will start by saying who does not speak for the party, the person you are talking about does not speak for the party. Secondly, if there are any issues that need clarification for now, pending when we have a substantive publicity secretary, the national secretary will do so for the party and also when I speak, i speak for the party. It is as simple as that.”
But swiftly at another briefing, Frank insisted on his position as the party scribe who automatically assumes office since his boss left.
He said: “Today I am the spokesperson of the party, I’m the acting spokesperson of the party I can tell you without fear or favour that when the substantive person in the office of the national chairman or the national secretary or anybody that is not there, the deputy takes over automatically.
“This is the principle of the party constitution we have this also existing today in the PDP, you could see that when Muazu was not there Secondus today is acting for the party, so there is no difference, Lai Mohammad is not there so automatically I’m the acting spokesperson of this party, so I can tell you without fear or favour.
“Any other person issuing a statement is doing that maybe on a personal capacity but constitutionally I am the acting spokesperson of the party. It’s not something I need to lobby for, it is something meant to be the trend and I stand by it,” he said.
“Our party constitution is very clear, anybody that does not understand the party constitution within the party or anybody that is still thinking who is the acting spokesperson or acting spokesperson,” Frank added
