National APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in handshake with the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke.

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has congratulated the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday’s successful inauguration of elected state chairmen of the party, describing the event as historic.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, the governor also congratulated the state Chairman of the APC, Chief Akin Oke, who was among those inaugurated by the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in Abuja, on Monday.

By extension, the governor congratulated all elected state party officials at the ward and local government levels for the ratification of their election, as evidenced by the inauguration of Oke by the national headquarters of the party.

Ajimobi said, “I congratulate the NWC of our great party, the APC on the successful inauguration of party executives today Monday. I also rejoice with my state chairman, Chief Akin Oke for being part of this historic moment. By extension, I also congratulate other duly elected Oyo APC state executive members from the wards to local governments for the ratification of their election, as evidence by the inauguration of Chief Akin Oke today. Let me use this opportunity to say that in Oyo APC, we are all members of one big family.

“As a result, I want to categorically say that it is a no victor, no vanquished scenario with today’s event. We are all winners. Consequently, a reconciliation committee is being set up with the mandate to reach out to all our aggrieved brothers and sisters in order to move the party forward in the true spirit, norms and practice of democracy.

“I hereby implore all and sundry to take advantage of this globally accepted platform to resolve our differences. By embracing reconciliation, our party will surely come out much stronger to face our immediate and future obligation of building a more virile nation.

“As the number one party in Africa, the ruling party in Nigeria and the party in power in twenty-four (24) states of the country, including our dear Oyo state, it is not unexpected that there would be differences of opinions, methodology and strategy in accomplishing our constitutional responsibilities within and outside the party.

“Our role, therefore, must be to successfully address and tackle the challenges such differences may pose to us. It is in the light of this, that I strongly appeal to our highly esteemed membership to embrace peace, reconciliation and the tenets of statesmanship in resolving our differences”.

Ajimobi stressed that the APC would continue to work hard in order to sustain its dominant position for the continued progress and development of the country.