By Dayo Omoogun
Buoyed by the successes it has recorded in reconciling warring factions of the party particularly in Edo, Ondo and most recently in Cross River States, the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/ Convention Planning Committee has set up a five- man Committee to midwife the process in Imo and Ogun States.
The Committee which is saddled with the responsibility of resolving the disputes in the two states is to be chaired by the Governor of Jigawa State, Alh. Mohammed Abubakar Badaru while the remaining members are: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, Engr. Audu Abdullahi Sule, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya who are the governors of Ekiti, Plateau,Nasarawa and Gombe States respectively.
Inaugurating the team Friday, theYobe State Governor, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, who doubles as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee said, ” I am pleased to be here with you this afternoon in our collective quest to build a strong, united and prosperous All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s leading political party.”
He reminded them of the ugly incidents that almost consumed the party even at the national level which gave birth to the Caretaker Committee which he currently chairs and how his committee has since swung into action to reconcile aggrieved members.
It will be recalled that the case of Imo State was particularly rancorous as the attempt by the former Governor to install his son-in-law was met with stiff resistance which originally cost the party the governorship until the judicial intervention and pronouncement which recognized Chief Hope Uzodinmma as the party’s rightful candidate and the one with the highest votes in elections.
“You will recall the unfortunate incidences that bedevilled our party in the recent past which threatened its existence and subsequently, the constitution of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planing Committee which l am priviledged to chair”, he said.
“The Caretaker committee had shortly after its inauguration initiated some peace building and true reconciliation mechanisms, to give every member a sense of fairness and belonging.
While celebrating the success so far recorded, Governor Buni expressed optimism that there will soon be a massive return of the party’s formers members.
“I am proud to say that, with the support enjoyed from members of the party, the committee has recorded remarkable headways, reclaiming some distinguished and very valuable members with thousands of their supporters back to our fold.
” I am equally fulfilled that our exploits in reconciling our members in Edo and Ondo states has strengthened the party and further expanded our chances with assurances of winning the governorship elections in the two states with land slide victories.
“Let me also add that, the on-going reconciliatory initiatives of the All Progressives Congress, will soon shock Nigeria’s political space with massive return of former members who felt aggrieved and unwillingly, went to other political parties.
“Therefore, it is in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliation that the chairmen and members of the Imo and Ogun states reconciliation committees were carefully selected to reconcile aggrieved members and groups within the party.
He enjoined them ” to be guided by the terms of reference as contained in your letters of appointment”, while emphasizing the party’s confidence in their capacity to deliver.
“The party has great confidence in your individual and collective capacities in executing this assignment with sense of fairness, justice and responsibility, placing party interest above personal interests.
“With this remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to inaugurate the Imo and Ogun states Reconciliation committee”, he declared.