Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has began moves to reconcile aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost in the party’s recent primaries, assuring them that there would be room for all within the party.
Abiodun, who spoke on Monday in Ijebu-Ode during a meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, directed the immediate establishment of a reconciliation committee to reach out to aggrieved members, address their concerns and give them a sense of belonging.
The governor said the reconciliation effort was critical to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that those who contested and lost the primaries remained important members of the APC.
“I want us to set up a reconciliation committee in Ijebu-Ode because I know that we have some of our members who are still angry.
“I want us to be aggressive about that reconciliation. Let us appeal to them.
“I am ready to implement the report of the reconciliation you will submit to me,” he said.
Abiodun directed that the committee be headed by Chief Olu Okuboyejo, with former Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga and state commissioners serving as members.
He also directed that similar reconciliation committees be established at the ward and local government levels to ensure that no aggrieved member was left out of the process.
The governor assured party members that the objective was not only to reconcile those who lost in the primaries but also to accommodate everyone who remained committed to the party.
“We must reach out to them, give them a sense of belonging, assuage their concerns and ensure proper reconciliation. There is room for everybody,” he said.
Abiodun said elections were about numbers, urging party leaders to bring back members who might have become aggrieved while simultaneously expanding the APC’s membership base by welcoming new members from opposition parties.
“Those who were not with us before were the ones disturbing us and making sure our votes in Ijebu-Ode are not 100 per cent.
“But now that they are with us, our victory is certainly 100 per cent sure. Let us welcome them,” he said.
The governor urged party members to concentrate on issue-based campaigns, saying the APC had a record of performance at both the state and federal levels.
He said his administration had grown Ogun State’s economy to about N17 trillion, while internally generated revenue had risen to N250 billion and was projected to reach N300 billion before the end of the year.
Abiodun described the meeting as the formal commencement of his political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and appreciated the people of Ijebu-Ode for their support for the APC in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
He assured the people that his administration would continue to improve infrastructure and deliver more dividends of democracy to the area.
The Director-General of the Campaign Committee, Senator Lekan Mustapha, said Ijebu-Ode, being the headquarters of Ogun East Senatorial District, had a significant voter population that must be effectively mobilised for the party ahead of the elections.
He noted that the local government has 161 polling units, stressing the need for effective mobilisation across all the units.
The governor later held similar meetings with APC leaders and executives in Ijebu-North East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections. (vitalnewsngr.com)
