BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
The All Progressive Congress, APC, Friday took a bold step to resolve political altercations between Governor Hope Uzodinma and former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in the Imo State chapter of the party, by setting up a high level Reconciliation Committee.
The Committee, was inugurated in Abuja by Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the party and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.
The calibre of those who make up the committee underscores the seriousness and commitment attached to the exercise by the national leadership of the party.
They are: Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru, who chairs the Committee, Governors of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, Plateau; Simon Lalong, Nassarawa, Abdullahi Sule, and Gombe; Mohammed Yahaya.
The Committee will also meddle into the Ogun State chapter of the party to find a lasting solution to the festering crisis.
Former Governors, Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun, of Imo and Ogun States, had serious disagreement with the former National Working Committee of APC, led by Adams Oshiomole, over choice of governorship candidates in the build up to the 2019 general election.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Reconciliation Committee,the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Planning Convention Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, said the reconciliation team was part of efforts to ensure peace return to the party in the affected states.
The move is said to be part of plans by the new leadership of the party, to heal and reconcile warring factions in the APC in Imo State.
Former Governor Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Hope Uzodinma, have been at crossroads over the soul of the party in Imo.
The acrimony culminated in open altercations between the duo who last week engaged in open verbal exchange of words.
Uzodinma had accused Okorocha of demanding the recognition of Daniel Nwafor and co as the State Executives of the party.
Uzodinma is known to be behind Marcellinus Nlemigbo led State Caretaker Committee, approved by the then suspended National Working Committee, NWC, led by Comrade Adams Oshiomole.
Okorocha had in his response, accused Uzodinma of running a government of APC in name, but PDP in action, after Uzodinma had alleged that Okorocha wanted him to discard the Nlemigbo caretaker committee, and recognise Daniel Nwafor, on the basis that he (Okorocha) intends to aspire for the presidency and needs the party in Imo in his kitty.
The fireworks in the party may have however reached a crescendo over the forthcoming Party Primary to elect a candidate for Okigwe Senate bye election scheduled to hold on October 31.
The Nlemigbo led Caretaker Committee is said to have opted for a consensus option to adopt a candidate, but it seems the idea, is not going down well with some aspirants such as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, who is alleged to be on the same page with Okorocha.
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