From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Aggrieved aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been admonished to take a cue from the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode who took the outcome of the governorship primary in his state in good faith and equanimity.
The Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee in the Southwest and Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Ahmed Nasir el-Rufai, gave the advice on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, venue of the Southwest reconciliation programme organised by the National Working Committee of the party.
The duo who spoke in separate addresses delivered at the event urged the people to put the interest of the party at heart, embrace the peace initiative of the party and work towards the success of the party during the 2019 general elections.
Other members of the Committee, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside , former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu and Hajia Seida Usman-Bugaje , said there is need for people to eschew crisis and work for the party’s unity ahead of 2019.
Speaking while interfacing with aggrieved aspirants in Ondo and Ekiti states in the last primaries, Shettima said the way Ambode handled the outcome of the primary in Lagos had made him a darling of many Nigerian statesmen, urging the aspirants to view life from that perspective.
Shettima said the fact that the National Working Committee set up the committee confirmed that the party appreciates the fact that all members are given due recognition.
He said it could have been disastrous for APC to allow the crises to fester by not taking time to persuade the aggrieved members, saying the aspirants should cooperate with the committee to be able to proffer lasting solution to all the disagreements.
“If we win at the State and federal levels, we stand the chance of accommodating everybody, but when we lose, then the party will be the greatest loser.
“In Kaduna State, I had issue with APC but I never had the intention of leaving the party. I stayed in the party and fought until justice prevailed, so we stand to gain nothing if we continue to fight on. We must listen to ourselves and find solution to all these crises together”, he said.
The meeting held at the Conference Hall of the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti was attended by members of the party within Ondo and Ekiti States.
