Immediate past national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie Oyegun has said he will be available to serve the party in whatever capacity he was called upon by the new national leaders of the party.
Chief Oyegun who said he will be retiring to his home in Benin said he was leaving the party leadership satisfied that he has done his very best to build the APC into a winning machine that is able to compete favourably for power.
He said “I hope I will be available to play the role of a senior citizen and will be available at whatever time my service is required. I am leaving very satisfied that we have built a party.
“I took the party at a time when we did not even have an office and we built it into a machine that could compete and win election, taking over power from a very robust government in terms of the resources at its disposal.
“Since then, we have continued to grow. That has created a lot of things within the party which is normal in any political consideration. Today, we have seen a party that is vibrant.
“You have seen the joy generated in the atmosphere today because we have seen a party that is passionate about where it is going. You cannot tell me that everything is right, but I would say that by and large, this is a party that is progressive and putting itself in shape for 2019.
“Like I said when I spoke briefly earlier, one era is ending. One phase in the life of this party is ending. The challenges which becomes the phase two which starts today may be different. The new administration will have to adjust and fashion out a solution to the new challenges that they will face.”
On the prospect of the party in 2019, he said “Is there any other party that is vibrant to continue in office as the APC.?
I don’t think so. The dominance of the APC has become so evident that the other parties are confused as to what to do.”