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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Governor of Oyo State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention Media sub-committee Chairman, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the national chairmanship position does not stop others from contesting.
Speaking at the panel’s inaugural meeting to update newsmen on the programme for the APC convention, yesterday, the governor assured that the crises, which trailed the party’s congresses, will be resolved.
Ajimobi disclosed that others showing interest in the national chairmanship position will increase competitiveness.
“Yes, the president has endorsed Adams Oshiomhole. I believe that, but, it doesn’t preclude other people from declaring to contest.
“It is a democracy and everybody is open to declare. I think everybody has a right to declare and once they declare, we go through the convention and we choose whoever wins. So, it will be very competitive and you will still see, in the coming days, that some people will declare their interest,” he said.
On the crises which emanated from the party’s congresses, the Oyo governor said: “Those who know the meaning of reconciliation must, first of all, realise that it is all-encompassing and the Asiwaju (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) committee is working quietly, reconciling people underground, working with everyone.
“You will see a lot of people moving round and talking quietly with the Asiwaju group. So, the reconciliation is on going. As human beings, from the beginning of our being in this world till the end, we must continue to reconcile.
“We must reconcile ourselves with the environment, reconcile ourselves with people. Reconciliation is work in progress. I believe the Asiwaju team are working effectively and reporting to the president.
“Yes, there might be violence here and there; with regards to the state congresses, it is interesting. You know, people value something that is very good. Anything of good value, people fight for it and it isn’t unusual to have people disagree over controlling and owning something.
“State congresses, yes, there have been reports of violence here and there. There will continue to be reconciliation and this is what we are doing. I believe honestly that reconciliation should take place.
“On the change of date of the convention, APC is a very considerate party; we believe that during Ramadan, many people should not be made to travel from their localities to Abuja.
“We felt that you could do state congresses, you could do local government congresses, you could do ward congresses in your area without travelling around. But, to come all the way from Abuja and some of us come to Abuja by road, it takes minimum of 10 hours.
“So, we believe that we should not subject people to this and honestly speaking, we decided that we shift it to June 23.”
