The Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) South-South Zone, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has boasted of his party’ chances in the Delta gubernatorial election in 2019, saying”Delta State is for our party to take”.
He appealed to the party faithful to sheathe their sword and embrace peace to claim the governorship position in 2019.
He spoke in Asaba, Delta State Capital on Friday at a reconciliation meeting between the various factions in the party in the State.
Ogbeni Aregbesola who was flanked by party stalwarts including the governor of Niger among other committee members said that success was directly proportional to how well the members manage their differences.
According to him, “If we insist of having our way in all areas, it will scuttle our chances”
The chairman explained that victory of the party is also assured in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states except for Rivers which he said, he can not stick out his neck because there are issues.
Aregbesola advised the factions to consider the efforts of the presidency in resolving the crises.
The chairman urged members not to despair in the unlikely event that the party loses in the state saying, “the party at the center will still benefit all loyal members”.
The different groups presented their position papers to the committee which they hoped would help in resolving the differences.
One of the points canvassed for is the 50-50 percent sharing of positions at the state and federal level.
In his document, chairman Prophet Jones Erue said the party has made appreciable progress in resolving all grey areas that almost marred the party chances of winning the 2019 election in state.
Defectors from the Modi Sheriff faction of the PDP led by Dr. Cairo Ojougboh expressed bitterness that the 14,000 members that moved into APC have been sidelined while the late Sen. Francis Okpozo group led by chief Hyacient Enuha was of the view that the structure of APC in the state be dissolved immediately after the general election and a fresh and credible congress should be conducted.
But gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Prof. Pat Utomi insisted on pursuing the legal option,adding that his action was without prejudice to ongoing peace efforts.