The Chairman of All Progressives Congress Reconciliation Committee, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State, on Friday met with the party’s governorship aspirants with a view to reconciling their differences ahead of July 20 primary election.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, Bello said the main objective of the committee in the state was to reconcile party members and all APC faithful.
According to him: “The reason we are here is for the reconciliation in Ondo State.
“We have met with the aspirants.
“Our paramount objective is to ensure victory in the forthcoming election.
“We have met with the stakeholders on what we should do to have peace in the party.
“We members of the committee would do everything we can to reconcile all members of the party to resolve any crisis.
“Success of the APC is what we must seek.
“We should not take action that will make us lose the election.”
Speaking on agitation for direct primary, Bello explained that “the committee would recommend whatever the members wanted.
“If direct primary is what the stakeholders want, we will recommend to the national headquarters.”
The only six aspirants that attended the meeting were: Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, Bukola Adetula, Ambassador Sola Iji, Jumoke Anifowose and Jimi Odimayo.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, who is the Chairman of the Election Committee for Ondo State, had on Friday in Abuja said the Monday primaries would be conducted through indirect mode.
However, one of the governorship aspirants, Chief Olusola Oke, who came late, said he managed to come and see the chairman because he did not get the notice on time.
Oke, therefore, frowned at the adoption of indirect mode of primaries and the committee’s visit, saying he might likely challenge the decision if the committee stuck to its gun
He described the committee’s visit as a wasted effort because there was nothing new the meeting could bring.
He promised that he would not boycott the primary election on Monday, so that he could have locus standi to challenge it.
Oke said: “I don’t boycott any election.
“It is not in my character and is not advisable.
“Under the electoral law, if you boycott or you don’t participate, you cannot challenge.”