Stakeholders in the politics of the North-East geo-political zone onThursday reacted to the spate of criticisms and outright falsehood against the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, saying it was in bad faith.
The leaders described Omisore as a man of profound moral scruples.
The leaders in a statement in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, said influential Yoruba leaders should rise in condemnation of the uncomplimentary remarks on Omisore, crude propaganda and other desperate moves of the Nobel laureate.
“The current posturing of Prof. Wole Soyinka is totally in bad taste. He is attacking Omisore on account of the inability of his benefactor to hijack the national leadership of the party, which he fears will deny the former South-South governor the opportunity to be the presidential candidate of the party.”
The statement by the chairman ofNorth-East Unity and Advancement Forum (NEUAF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, commended the APC National Secretary for his invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s development and the challenging task of nation-building.
“Senator Omisore is a patriot, a thinker and a fighter for good causes.”
The statement cited Omisore for honesty, industry and patriotism.
They also praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the esteemed members of the ruling party for making Omisore the party’s National Secretary.
The statement emphasized Omisore’s rich and inspiring profile, meritorious services to the nation and humanity, peaceful disposition and gentility.
The leaders accused Soyinka of dabbling into politics, threatening thunder against Omisore, encouraging corruption and protecting a former South-South governor for supporting him in the last ten years.
“We know the tactics of Wole Soyinka. He likes to grandstand as an independent man. Many believe he is speaking for the people, campaigning for good governance and quality leadership. There are many questions begging for answers in Soyinka’s relationship with the ex-South-South governor for anyone to take him seriously.”
“Wole Soyinka knows that his sponsor is a weakling who obviously finds himself where he doesn’t belong.”
They argued that Soyinka’s recent remark on Omisore was borne out of selfishness.
“The energy and vigour with which Soyinka undertook a fierce political crusade against the APC National Secretary left no one in doubt that his target was to divide the ruling party, draw Omisore into a controversy and to distract him.”
The leaders urged Soyinka to stop chasing shadows that do not help the cause of a current minister and former governor in the South-South geo-political zone.
“We have watched in astonishment how Soyinka turned himself into such a burden to the former South-South governor.”
Wole Soyinka recently lashed out at Omisore on account of the choice of the ruling party to make the former Osun State deputy governor its National Secretary.
“Wole Soyinka ought to be more decent with his choices of words in addressing Omisore and should not undermine the fact that his sycophancy might land him into trouble.”
