Victor Ezeja
As primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) draw closer, the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the party national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu together with President Muhammadu Buhari have intervened to resolve the conflict between former and serving governor of Zamfara State.
The incumbent governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawale and his predecessor, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari on Monday appeared before Adamu and other members of the APC NWC to formally declare that they have reconciled their political differences.
The duo have been embroiled in a protracted political crisis which affected the APC chapter in the state, leading to the intervention of President Buhari, the party NWC and the Progressive Governors Forum.
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Receiving them at a meeting on Monday, the APC national chairman confirmed that Yari and Matawale have agreed to work together for the good of the state and the party in the coming election, and commended them for the peaceful reconciliation.
Adamu urged them to deepen their understanding and advised that all party members should be carried along, with their views on issues respected as well.
He said, “They have agreed to work together for the success of our great party. We have informed the President of the progress that we are making and I am grateful to the Almighty God that we have been able to reach an accord between the former governor, current governor and their esteemed followers. We have every reason to thank God and believe that the 2023 General Election in Zamfara State is a given for the APC.
“We must learn to respect one another, respect the views of our party followers who are our greatest assets. To the former and current governor, you have a duty to sustain the spirit of understanding, togetherness and teamwork.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I commend this very useful agreement that we have reached,” Adamu stated.
On his part, Zamfara governor thanked the APC national leadership and President Buhari for their intervention in the crisis, adding that many people will not believe that such a day would come for both of them to reconcile.
Matawale said there were some people who didn’t want them to reconcile because of their selfish political reasons.
“For the record, Abdul’aziz doesn’t have a second person like me in Zamfara State, he is my friend.
“We thank God that today we are together and I know many people will not believe. Most of those that don’t want us to be together have their selfish reasons but God has done it and today we are together. We thank the leadership of the party for bringing us together to work not just for Zamfara State but for the Country and the Party in general,” Matawale noted.
The immediate-past governor Yari said they have put behind them, things that happened in the past in order to focus on working together for the greater good of the state and prayed for God’s grace to enable them achieve stability and robust development of the state.
“We have to do the right thing for the good of our people and our state. We have come to an understanding to meet our people and tell them that the state is bigger than any of us, therefore any interest must see the state as number one,” Yari advised.
Governor of Kebbi State and chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu who also played significant role in the reconciliation in process, expressed his happiness that the two have come to a comprise for political stability of Zamfara state.
He, said, “We are very glad that two people who should be working together are indeed working together and I am sure our party will be better for it, Zamfara State will be better for it and our Country will be better for it.”
