By Kabir Dan-Katsina, Birnin Kebbi
The Reconciliation Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, set up two weeks ago by Governor Nasir Idris to reconcile aggrieved members after the conduct of primary elections, has said that after completing their assignment, APC remained strong, united and ready to reclaim all positions from national to state levels in 2027 general elections.
Coordinator of the committee, Engr Ahmed Umar Faruk (Dan-Majen Gwandu) stated this on Tuesday night during a news conference held at Saffar Guest Hotel In Birnin Kebbi.
He said “exactly two weeks ago, Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, in consultation with the leadership of our party, approved the establishment of this Contact and Reconciliation Committee and charged us with a very clear and sacred assignment: to go round all the 21 Local Government Areas of our dear state, to listen to our members, to hear their grievances, to feel their pulse, and to bring back a sincere report that will strengthen our party and guarantee unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Today, I am happy to report to you that we have completed that assignment and from Argungu to Zuru, from Yauri to Danko/Wasagu, from Arewa to Birnin Kebbi, we visited all the 21 Local Government Areas. We did not sit in Birnin Kebbi and write a report. We went to the people,” Dan-Majen Gwandu added.
According to him, at each Local Government, they met with the Local Government Party Chairmen and Executives, Elders and Stakeholders, Former and Serving National and State Assembly Members, Former and Serving Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Council Chairmen, Women Leaders and Youth Leaders, Aggrieved Aspirants from the last primaries as well as ordinary party members at ward levels.
The Coordinator further revealed that they gave everyone a free platform where no one was shut out and no one was intimidated as well as listened more than they spoke, because their mandate was to listen.
He noted the aggrieved members spoke frankly and passionately, and thanked them for their honesty and they love APC as a party as well as they love the Governor and Kebbi State.
He added that across the 21 LGAs, there were clear messages that stood out which include Loyalty to the Party and to His Excellency.
In every LGA, our members reaffirmed their total loyalty to the APC and to the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Nasir Idris, They commended the Governor for his unprecedented achievements in education, infrastructure, agriculture, health and civil service welfare.
“They also raised genuine concerns and complaints of being sidelined after working for the party while some complained of poor communication between leaders and followers at LGA level, just as some raised issues of appointments, empowerment and non-inclusion in party activities. Others raised issues arising from the last primaries and congresses,” the Coordinator further stated.
“We did not dismiss any complaint as small and every complaint was documented, LGA by LGA, ward by ward and above all, our people want reconciliation, not division. In every LGA, aggrieved members told us: “We are not leaving the APC. We only want to be heard, carried along, and treated fairly,” he revealed.
According to him, the Committee, after hearing the complaints of the aggrieved members, urged them to sheathe their swords and return fully to the party’s fold because APC in Kebbi State is one family, and no family member will be left behind.
It however outlined some recommendations that henceforth, all stakeholders in every LGA must be carried along in empowerment, and party activities. All political office holders must be alive to their responsibilities and carry their people along in the scheme of things. Hold quarterly stakeholders’ meetings at LGA level, to be chaired by the party, to prevent grievances from accumulating.
On respect for party structures, he appealed to all appointees and elected officials to respect and work through the Party structures at Ward and LGA levels because the party is supreme, and “No” to anti-party activities. He also made it clear that the party will not tolerate anti-party activities, blackmail, or clandestine meetings with opposition elements.
