Retired Col. AbdulWahab Lawal, the Chairman of the Kwara All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliation Committee, has appealed to aggrieved members of the party to embrace dialogue and reconciliation.
Lawal made the appeal, on Wednesday in Ilorin, when reacting to alleged grievances arising from the party’s primaries during a news conference on the committee’s mandate and activities.
He said that the committee was constituted by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the APC Chairman, Mr Sunday Fagbemi, to reconcile aggrieved leaders and members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The chairman said that although the task before the committee had its challenges,, members remained optimistic that peace and harmony would be restored within the party.
He described the disagreements as a family affair, noting that all parties involved remained loyal to the APC.
“We have listened to the various positions expressed publicly and are convinced that no member has abandoned the party.
“This is a family disagreement, and we believe it can be resolved through dialogue, understanding and mutual respect,” he said.
Lawal said the committee’s terms of reference include engaging and mediating with aggrieved members and stakeholders across the state to identify the root causes of disputes and facilitate amicable resolutions.
He added that the committee would submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to the state executive committee to promote healing and reintegration within the party.
The chairman appealed to all aggrieved members to cooperate with the committee by opening their hearts to genuine reconciliation.
He also urged party members to refrain from inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions.
According to him, members must make the necessary sacrifices to sustain the party’s electoral success in the state and maintain the confidence reposed in it by the people of Kwara.
Lawal disclosed that the committee had commenced its assignment and would hold consultative meetings across the three senatorial districts with party executives, aspirants, candidates, stakeholders and other interest groups.
He said the committee would also engage members of the G15 both collectively and individually while collaborating with individuals and groups already working towards resolving the crisis.
Lawal commended party faithful and stakeholders who had initiated reconciliation efforts, saying the establishment of the committee was intended to strengthen, rather than replace, such initiatives.
He further appealed to the media, particularly social media users, to report developments objectively and avoid inflammatory publications.
“We come in peace and seek the cooperation of all aggrieved persons to give mediation and dialogue a chance.
“We also urge the media to report responsibly as we remain committed to transparency throughout this process,” he said.
Other members of the committee are Dr Opawoye Oluwatoyin, Mr. Musa Yeketi, Hajia Kuburat Kazum and Mr Suleiman Ahmed.
(NAN)
