Despite rocky congresses, Ajimobi says convention will unify APC

Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo state, says the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will unite the party and make it stronger.

The local government and ward congresses of the party were marred by violence in states like Delta, Rivers and Ondo. In Lagos, Kwara, Imo and Cross River, the party became factionalised.

But Ajimobi says in spite of the rocky congresses, the party will “overcome” and “emerge stronger”.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Ajimobi who is the chairman, media and publicity of the convention, said the party has put in place “a comprehensive mechanism” to address issues from ward, local government and state congresses.

“We are confident that we will have a very successful national convention, which, at the end of the day, will unify our party, make us stronger and put us in a better position to further fulfil our electoral promises,” he said.

“On the issues arising from the recently held ward, local government and state congresses, our party the APC has put in place a comprehensive mechanism to deal with all of these issues in line with the party’s constitution and we are confident that at the end of the day, we will overcome and emerge stronger as one big happy.”

He said the convention will be conducted strictly in line with the “most sacred democratic principles and the process will be free, fair and credible.

“We would also want Nigerians, who gave us overwhelming support in 2015, to know that in line with our tradition of excellence and transparency, the convention will be open to all aspirants who are deemed qualified in line with the convention guidelines, to vie for positions they are interested in.”

The chairman said forms will be sold to women and people with disabilities at 50 percent.