APC stakeholders, under the auspices of Kogi East Elite Forum, has appealed to aggrieved party members in the just-concluded Kogi East senatorial primary election to embrace reconciliation.
The News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reports that Mr Joseph Erico emerged as APC candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election in the senatorial district after defeating the incumbent, Sen. Jibrin Echocho.
The leader of the Forum, Dr Abubakar Rajab, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said that there was the need to avoid bitterness.
Rajab also called on stakeholders to place the unity, stability and progress of the party above personal ambitions, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We appeal to all aggrieved parties to embrace reconciliation, avoid bitterness and place the unity, stability and progress of APC above personal ambitions.
“We call on all aspirants, their supporters and stakeholders in the district to respect the outcome of the primary election and rally support for the victorious candidate to strengthen party cohesion, ahead of future electoral contests”, he said.
Rajab said that the primary election, conducted through direct voting, was necessitated after extensive consultations among elders, party executives, opinion leaders and stakeholders across the district after efforts to produce a consensus arrangement had failed.
He said that the direct primary election was conducted peacefully and without intimidation, coercion or manipulation, adding that party members turned out massively to vote for candidates of their choice.
Rajab said that the voices of party members resonated louder than the whispers of political convenience, as the exercise allowed democracy to thrive and produced the most credible and politically-marketable candidate.
According to him, political contests naturally produce winners and losers, stressing that democratic maturity demands that defeated aspirants accept outcomes with dignity and equanimity.
While stating that Kogi East remained united and resolute, he expressed optimism that the party would deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Rajab commended the leadership of Tinubu, Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, the party leadership and members for the support and successful outing during the primaries.
