From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Senator Abdullahi Adamu led National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has met with the leaders of the party in Bayelsa State over the protracted leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party.
Those that were in attendance at the meeting include the leader of the party in the state, former governor and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva, winner of Bayelsa State governorship election Chief David Lyon, chairman of the party Dr Dennis Otiotio-Odoni and National Assembly members.
However contrary to the report being circulated that the Adamu committee mandated Sylva to convene a stakeholders meeting, the committee which recognised Sylva as the undisputed leader of the party in the state urged him to help reconcile aggrieved members in the state.
According to sources at the meeting the petition of a group, Grassroots Mobiliser Forum of All Progressive Congress led by its Chairman, Mr Idutimi Komonibo, the Secretary General, Mr Dallas Ebibi and the Vice Chairman, Reuben Wilson calling for a review of the results of the ward, local government and state congress was not accepted because there was no basis for that.
Sources said the terms of reference of the Adamu committee do not include a review of results of duly conducted congress so it did not consider the petition because it was outside its purview.
The State Chairman of APC, Dr Dennis Otiotio-Odoni, who confirmed that the meeting was held, said there was no basis for a review of the results of the ward congress which the Appeal Committee set up by the national secretariat has handled.
He said grievances were channelled to the Appeal committee set up by the national secretariat and it found no merit in the argument which prompted it to uphold results of the state congresses.
According to him, Sylva was recognised as the leader of the party and it also acknowledged leaders from the three senatorial districts who are subsumed over the leadership of Sylva.
Otiotio- Odoni who said Sylva as the father of all and a man of peace would ensure there is peace in the state chapter of the party pointed out that the fallout of the meeting was the directive given to all litigants to go and withdraw all the court cases from the court.