The political pressure group that championed the Presidential ambition of Vice President Yomi Osibanjo as All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential aspirant was Osibanjo/Zulum Mass Movement. The group was big and had with national appeal and present in the 36-states plus Federal Capital Territory. It was created by Rivers State born High Chief Sunnie Chukumele with the backing of Distinguished Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Affairs. The activities of this group began in 2021 culminating with the commissioning of a state secretariat in 2022 (prior to the National Presidential Primary election of APC) by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo who personally visited Port Harcourt where the Number 9 Abeokuta Street Duplex Building housing the campaign secretariat is located. It was followed by the visit to Rivers State also by Senator Babafemi Ojudu sometime in 2022 at Orowurokwu Town Hall Complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The activities of this group covered all the 319 Wards of Rivers State and visibly present in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The development in the Osibanjo/Zulum Mass Movement Group after the crashing out of Vice President Osibanjo from the Presidential primary election where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won with landslide victory is that the leader and founder of that group has announced defection of the group to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and aligning their loyalty to PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. On Friday 13th of January, 2023 there was announcement published by High Chief Sunnie Chukumele Founder, Chairman and Leader on the online platform WhatsApp group of the association which read “IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT-Sequel to the unexpected and unfortunate outcome of the June 8, 2022 APC Presidential primaries wherein our principal, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo GCON, SAN fell to the heavy machinations of conspiracy against the wishes and aspirations of a vast majority of the Nigerian masses, coupled with other disturbing developments in the political environment, which has led to people aligning with presidential candidates that meet their aspirations, and having taken time to critically analyse situations with options, I hereby announce and inform that I have decided that our group in concert with other like-minded have resolved to join the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign.
The chief reason for this is that our principal in 201/2015 made it clear then that Muslim/Muslim ticket was not favourable for peace, unity and sustainability of Nigeria. It is common knowledge that the eventual flag bearer of APC, HE Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided to run a Muslim/Muslim ticket in his calculation to win the 2023 presidential election in the judgement that the North will not support a Christian presidential running mate from the North.
Our group, not being an APC group, but an assemblage of fans of Osibanjo, is at liberty to seek association elsewhere.
Kindly note, one and all in this group that I have been in private discussions with some of us in this group.
Kindly await further necessary information and action.”
Immediately this was published with their backlashes from members of the group including core All Progressives Congress supporters of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu one-member Hon. Theophilus S. Agbatse, Benue State Coordinator for Osibanjo Support Group 2023 of the group resident in Benue State replied “I hereby decline intoto! To follow this group to Atiku/Okowa Campaign Council. My loyalty is with APC and its Presidential Candidate, H.E Sen. Ahmed Bola, Tinubu/Shettima and all the candidates of the APC in Benue State. Politics is not religion, therefore, mixing politics with religion will not deliver social services to the good people of Nigeria. I therefore remain with the group structure in the state. We stand with APC at both national and state levels for All Progressives Congress, APC 2023 Victory at the poll.” While one Ekiti born Rivers State resident member of the group Mr. Kehinde Philip wrote “You guys are kindergarten in the games of politics. You know not what politics is about. You get excited and happy when most of you are being linked or associated with one person in the corridors of power You know not what it takes to build the house you find shelter in. You think your wish or opinion are the best for the party, when it is easy to come about. Why don’t you fund a party and see how easy it takes to gather momentum? It surprised me not to see and read the above note you pasted on behalf of Osibanjo. It is disappointing, and that is why you guys always lose out at the end. You know not what patience means. You guys are always in a hurry, if the man is tom be like you, do you think your principal will be where he is today? Get the f**k out. Is this how to play party politics? Must you get what you want all the time? Does the man even need your support? Because most of you are devils incarnate, pretending to be party members, but their hearts are to the other side. It’s good you have shown your colour.” As soon such negative reactions followed the special announcement and such dissenting voices were eliminated from the group.
The founder of the Osibanjo/Zulum Mass Movement was described as a political jobber seeking fortune and crumbs by aligning his group to PDP Presidential candidate. Another family member to distinguished Senator Babafemi Ojudu described High Chief Sunnie Chukwumele’s announcement as not with the blessing of Senator Ojudu but that of High Chief Sunnie Chukwumele alone. The crises in the group has continued to elicit reactions. It is unknown yet whether Vice President Yemi Osibanjo is in support of this switch to PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar/Okowa support as genuinely deserving as best option for the members in the group across the country.
-Emeka Amaefula
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