The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State has said its reconciliation committee is working round the clock to resolve grievances and prevent internal disagreements from affecting the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
The APC Chairman in the state, Hon. Bello Ayuba, disclosed this to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Maiduguri, while responding to questions on internal party disputes and the possibility of aggrieved members defecting ahead of the 2027 polls.
Ayuba said the party had constituted a reconciliation committee headed by Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jida to engage aggrieved members and resolve their concerns.
He said the committee was already on the ground, stressing that the party remained committed to resolving disagreements through dialogue and reconciliation.
According to him, the APC had demonstrated fairness during its primaries by allowing aspirants who demanded direct primary to participate in elections, while accepting consensus arrangements where members agreed to them.
He cited the case of an incumbent member of the House of Representatives who insisted on a primary election, saying the party conducted the exercise but the lawmaker eventually lost.
Ayuba said the outcome of such contests must be respected by all party members, adding that while the reconciliation committee would continue to engage aggrieved members, nobody could be forced to remain in the party against his will.
On the political strength of the opposition in southern Borno, the APC chairman dismissed suggestions that the area could pose a major challenge to the ruling party in 2027.
He said APC had consistently recorded strong electoral performances in the southern part of the state, citing his Bayo Local Government Area as an example.
Ayuba said the APC secured more than 28,000 votes in Bayo against about 2,000 to 3,000 votes recorded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the margin as evidence of the party’s dominance in the area.
He also rejected allegations that the APC-led government had deliberately prevented opposition parties from erecting billboards, displaying flags or operating freely across the state.
According to him, opposition parties have the same opportunity to establish offices and display their party symbols, insisting that the visibility of APC flags across the state reflects the size of its support base.
“Majority carry the vote,” he said, arguing that the widespread presence of APC flags was an indication of the party’s larger following.
The chairman also expressed confidence that the party would secure massive support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 presidential election.
He said the Federal Government’s projects and interventions in the state would further strengthen public support for the administration.
Ayuba said the APC would continue to mobilise voters and highlight the achievements of the Tinubu administration as part of its campaign for the 2027 election.