Kogi Polls: APC Moves to Reconcile Bello and Faleke

 

Indications have emerged that the lingering tension over power tussles over the declaration of Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Kogi state governorship poll is set to be addressed by the ruling party.

 

 

A report by ThisDay reveals that the crisis in the APC following the substitution of its late governorship candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar, has drawn the attention of the party leaders and reconciliatory efforts have begun.

 

It was learnt that a meeting, summoned by James Ocholi, minister of State for Labour and Productivity, on Sunday, December 6, had about 50 party members in attendance.

 

According to a reliable source, present at the meeting, the party stakeholders have resolved that the party should pursue peace, unity and reconciliation. They urged everyone to refrain from inciting, and hate speeches and writings.

 

The source said the meeting resolved that efforts would be made to bring the governor-elect, his purported deputy, Abiodun Faleke and other aggrieved persons together in the spirit of reconciliation, peace and unity.

 

Speaking during the talks, Ocholi said: “I’m personally encouraged by the mature, reconciliatory remarks of most of the attendees. They said they were more concerned about good governance in the state than where the governor comes from. I would therefore like to appeal to everyone in the various online platforms and the entire Kogites to be less incendiary in their posts and speeches. Stop calling people names. Stop rumour- mongering. Preach peace and reconciliation and not hatred and war.

 

Faleke had, upon the death of his principal, Prince Abubakar Audu, written INEC to declare him as winner of the polls, despite INEC having initially declared the poll as inconclusive.