The much anticipated meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari and the progressive governors could not hold on Sunday as the National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) round off its assignments in the South-West zone.
The News Carrier NG reports that APC governors failed to show up for the meeting both at the National Secretariat of the party or Kebbi State Governor’s lodge, usual venue of their meetings.
The widely reported Sunday meeting was expected to decide a definite date for the conduct of the party’s national convention.
Recall that Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong after meeting with President Buhari last Friday told State House correspondents that the meeting would hold yesterday (Sunday).
Meanwhile, the News Carrier NG gathered that Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led APC national reconciliation committee may be rounding off its assignments in the South-West zone of the country with visits to Lagos, Ogun and Osun States.
A member of Senator Adamu Abdullahi-led Committee who confided in the News Carrier NG stated that there was no single petition against party’s state congress held on October 30th 2021 at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. According to him, “the ward, local and state congresses remain valid; therefore there is nothing for our committee to deliberate on”.
“The National Reconciliation Committee left Abuja on January 6 to meet party elders and stakeholders in Southwestern States with exception of Oyo State. We’ve been to Lagos, Ogun and Osun States to interface with all aggrieved camps. We pledge fair hearing, equity and justice in carrying out our mandate” he stated.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said “We are a committee sent by the party, we are going through the states where we take petitions, listen to them and feed the National secretariat back. We have a very interesting submission from the two sides (Governor Oyetola’s and Aregbesola’s camps”.
Aregbesola Absent as APC reconciliation C’ttee Visits Osun
Former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was yesterday absent when the National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited the state.
The reconciliation committee led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, only met with the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and leaders of The Osun Progressive caucus of the party led by Hon. Rasaq Salinsile, who are loyal to the minister.
Loyalists of the Minister for Interior on Saturday demanded that Governor Oyetola must resign his appointment as a member of All Progressive Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to give a level playing ground to all aggrieved members.
They also added that the National Secretariat should recognise their members elected during the Ward, Local Government and State congresses. The Reconciliation Committee met with the loyalists of Rauf Aregbesola at Aenon Suite, GRA, Osogbo between 4:30 PM and 7:10 PM on Saturday.
“At the meeting, we demanded the resignation of Governor Oyetola from APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee because he cannot be a judge in his case” said the Chairman of The Osun Progressives (TOP), Hon. Adelowo Adebiyi
The secretary, State Congress Committee, Mr. Sunday Akere, said in a statement last night that the allegation of alienation of party leaders by the Aregbesola group was false.
While addressing the press, Senator Adamu expressed optimism that the crisis in the state chapter of the party would be resolved.
The News Carrier NG reported that the committee first met with Goveror Oyetola at the Bola Ige House in the early hours of Saturday. The governor assured them of absolute cooperation.
