Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a law-abiding, united and well-structured party.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, stated this at the APC’s State congress on Wednesday in Akure.

According to him, the development shows that the party remains strong despite recent challenges.

He explained that the leadership of the party, particularly the National Working Committee intervened by setting up reconciliation mechanisms aimed at bringing all stakeholders together.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who noted that the party had days earlier faced a court injunction which threatened the conduct of the congress, announced that the injunction had been vacated following the intervention of the leadership of the party.

“We have proved that we are a law-abiding party. What matters most is that we have been able to resolve all issues that arose amicably. I commend our party leaders and members for their understanding and commitment to unity. Disagreements are natural in a large political family but what mattered most was the ability to resolve them amicably,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa congratulated the newly-elected executives, expressing confidence in their ability to build on the achievements of the previous leadership.

He urged them to strengthen internal democracy within the party and ensure fairness, justice and unity among members.

Mr Aiyedatiwa particularly emphasised the need for the new leadership to work towards uniting factions within the party, stressing that members expected integrity, transparency and inclusiveness from the new chairman and other officials.

The governor further assured party members that the new executives possessed the capacity to advance the party’s development and maintain its position as a formidable political force in the state.

He also praised the peaceful conduct of the congress, noting that it sent a positive signal about the discipline and organisation within the APC.

According to him, the orderly process reflects the party’s commitment to democratic values and internal stability.

Earlier, the Chairman of the state congress committee, Ogonna Obiekwe, said the congress represented the values and ideals of the party.

Mr Obiekwe urged the new executives to conduct themselves with maturity, adding that every member of the APC must be ready to work together for the party.

The congress commenced with the dissolution of Ade Adetimehin-led state working committee moved by two members of the party, with a voice vote taken in unison.

The newly-inaugurated party Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, noted that the victory was for every member of the party.

Mr Kolawole, a former House of Representatives member, promised that there would be no faction in the party, assuring of a level-playing ground for all members to operate. 

(NAN)