In 2017, he came under intense criticism from various factions of the party including some powerful group of APC Governors for his handling of the party calling for his removal from office as national chairman of the party.^[8][9][10] President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of the party and seven of its governors backed Odigie-Oyegun to remain in office.^[11][12] President Buhari later withdrew his support for Odigie-Oyegun when it became clear that most of the governors and other powerful members of the party were resolute in their efforts to remove Odigie-Oyegun from office and install a successor Adams Oshiomhole who is from the same state as Odigie-Oyegun.^[13][14][15] Odigie-Oyegun stepped down from office of the National Chairman of the party by not seeking re-election for a second term in office at the 2018 elective national convention of the party, leaving Adams Oshiomhole as the sole candidate for the position.^[16] Since leaving office, Oyegun has maintained a low public profile.