The leadership of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), at various levels in Kogi state, have been told to exercise restraint and show good judgement as they work to rebuild and fortify the party for the ultimate price of consolidation and continuous governance of Kogi state.
In a statement signed by Michael Ede, Coordinator, Concerned APC Professionals, Kogi state chapter, said they appreciate the fact that Governor Yahaya Bello has been making efforts to assuage the situation as he implied when he came around during the screening exercise.
The group was apparently reacting to the purported suspension of the deputy National publicity Secretary and a governorship aspirant who is from the state.
The statement reads “the attention of the Concern APC Professionals, Kogi state has been drawn to the baseless travails of one of the cornerstones of the Kogi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, also known as Muri.
They stressed that while internal party wranglings are expected in such a time as interests jostle and realign as the party moves closer to its 2023 governorship primary election, “we did not expect it to degenerate to the current level of issuing suspensions to members and stakeholders for ridiculous and counter productive reasons.
“We appreciate the fact that Governor Yahaya Bello has been making efforts to assuage the situation as he implied when he came around during the screening exercise.
“We expect Hon Mohammed Nasir Alfa, as the Zonal chairman Kogi East of APC to maintain neutrality. We are aware that the purported suspension of Yakubu Muri is the machination of some APC leaders he is reporting to.
“There are other areas to focus our efforts as a party especially as we troop ahead into the 2023 Kogi state governorship election season and let the spirit of oneness, openness and fair contest work to the advantage of our party, that has laid its foundation in the popular will and acceptability of the people.
“All aspirants should have the right to compete freely and fairly for the Party’s governorship candidate in an environment conducive to democratic norms and standards.
“Muri is a fine gentleman, a philanthropist, a rare and shining example of what our dear state has to offer in terms of human potential, rising to such esteemed position as the deputy national publicity secretary of our party.
“We should not jealously denigrate or defame him for cheap gains or pyrrhic victories. We know those people who are working against the interests of the party in Kogi state.
“We call for calm and introspection as the eyes of the world are on Kogi state being a stand alone governorship election in a general election year.
“The leadership of the party at various levels of the state must exercise restraint and show good judgement as we work to rebuild and fortify the party for the ultimate price of consolidation and continuous governance of Kogi state.
“The Concern APC Professionals, Kogi state chapter is a forum of Media and Legal professionals of the APC in Kogi state, and we are committed to ensuring a level playing ground at the impending APC governorship primary election and would deploy all our forces and resources to that end, for a primary that is inclusive, transparent and credible.
“No doubt we have been quite but the necessities and imperatives of the time is demanding a different approach and we are prepared to put the interest of our party above parochial and vested interests and considerations.
“Any attempt to temper with the integrity, credibility and popularity of Yakubu Muri, which he has generated and cultivated through diligence, honesty, commitment and loyalty will be strongly resisted.
“As loyal party men we will continue to abide by the party’s hierarchy, constitution and plank while emphasizing dialogue and fair process in resolving party issues and deciding fundamental matters.