The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has faulted reports that he, alongside chieftains of the party, offered about N450 million to Senator Iyiola Omisore as part of the bargain to ensure victory for its candidate in the Osun State governorship, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to reporters in Abuja, also denied the claim that he offered to ensure the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dropped corruption charges against Omisore as part of the deal.

The APC chairman, who maintained that the party recorded victory at the poll in a free and fair manner, blamed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for peddling such rumour in a desperate bid to portray the APC in negative light. He said: “Whenever you hear money, that must be coming from the PDP, because that is the only dialect they speak. And there is no better proof than the matters in court arising from the Dasukigate.

On the alleged deal to drop the EFCC charges against Omisore, he retorted: “Do I look like an investigator or policeman? Do I look like a prosecutor? Do I have the mandate of any of these agencies to negotiate on their behalf? “But even among those in PDP contesting election, are they not having cases with EFCC? So, I think when PDP parades some of these things, you can reverse the question by asking when Senator Saraki and PDP leaders went to Omisore at his residence in Ile-Ife, was that what they offered him? Was it about money?”
Regarding the issue revolving around offering automatic ticket to Omisore, he said it couldn’t have been possible since he was supposed to participate in the party primaries in accordance with the provision of the Electoral Act and the constitution of the party.

Describing Omisore as a seasoned politician who was part of the progressive family right from his days as deputy to former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, Oshiomhole acknowledged that there was an understanding between the party and Omisore to join the APC and vie for any position of his choice.

•Excerpted from The Guardian report