The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State says it has constituted a reconciliation committee to address issues arising from the party’s recently concluded primaries.
The State Chairman of the party, Mr Babatunde Kolawole made this known on Friday in Akure during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Chapter.
Kolawole said the committee would be chaired by the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr Biyi Poroye.
He explained that the decision followed consultations with the party leadership, stressing that disagreements after party primaries were normal while APC would resolve them with internal mechanisms.
The party chairman said Poroye would lead the committee alongside “very competent stakeholders and leaders with both state and national coverage” to reconcile aggrieved members.
“There is no way we will go through political activities without issues. There will be political bickering and there will be arguments, but one thing that is good about our party is that we have internal mechanisms for resolving disagreements.
“These are political activities that will always result in one issue or another. There is no way one can get all of this done without disagreements.
“After completing the cycle, the next thing is to sit down as leaders and resolve the issues that have arisen.
“For me, these are normal things. They are normal issues. And I have always said that those issues are not strong enough to divide us as a party in the state.
The normal process is that we will have primaries and after the primaries, there will be various steps that will be taken by the party and by the national leadership.
“I contested in an election for the House of Representatives. It was not a direct primary; it was an indirect process. I served for four years. I wanted to return for another term, but I was denied. Leadership took its decision, and I had no choice but to abide by that decision,” he said.
Kolawole, who responded to concerns over alleged divisions within APC and complaints by some dissatisfied aspirants, said they had the constitutional right to express personal opinions.
“Those that did not win have every right to express their opinions. Razaq Obe is entitled to his opinion.
“He did not speak on behalf of the party, the government or the leadership. He spoke as an individual,” he said.
Kolawole later dismissed claims that the absence of a strong opposition in the state posed a threat to democracy.
According to the chairman, the party’s growing popularity is driven by the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.
“APC has registered about 84 support groups across the state and the target is a minimum of one million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election,” (NAN).
