Nigeria’s governing party gets new leader

ABUJA, June 25, (Xinhua) – Nigeria’s governing
All Progressive Congress (APC) party on Sunday confirmed the election of Adams
Oshiomhole, a former Governor of the southern state of Edo, as its new leader.

Oshimhole, 66, took an oath of office in the
Nigerian capital city of Abuja on Sunday as curtains fell on the two-day
national convention of the APC party.

The governing party’s elective convention,
which began on Saturday, was attended by Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari and
senior officials of the party at national and state levels.

Oshimhole, a political associate of Buhari,
emerged as the new leader of the party unopposed. His predecessor John
Odigie-Oyegun, also from Edo State, had faced criticisms from some senior
members of the party ahead of the national convention.

With his emergence as the leader of the
governing party, Oshimhole’s first challenge would be leading the party to
victory in a state governorship election in the southern part of the country on
July 14 and another southern state election a few weeks later.

He would also need to work for the party’s
victory at the general election next year, said Kunle Omotoso, a local
political analyst.

Buhari has announced his intention to contest
for a second term in office during next year’s election.

GNA