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National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resumed duties at the party’s national secretariat in deference to a Court of Appeal, Abuja ruling.
Amid tight security, the ex-labour leader was received by no fewer than 17 state chairmen and scores of supporters about 12.45pm.
Addressing members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on a conciliatory note, Oshiomhole thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the appellate for their timely intervention, promising that the party would bounce back stronger in the days ahead.
Admitting that he was fallible, the former Edo governor said the disagreement among chieftains should not be seen as a surprising development in view of the “progressive antecedents of the APC.”
He assured Nigerians that the NWC would work with the executive arm of 0government to deliver the electoral promises of the party to the citizenry.
In a statement that almost expresses finality, Oshiomhole averred that the political grouping’s officials were now at peace with one another, adding that the decision to lift the suspension slammed on Lawal Shuaibu and Inuwa Abdulkadir was to reposition the ruling party.
He said an agreement had been reached to withdraw pending litigations to keep the peace in the party.
His words: “We have also resolved that we are going to withdraw all cases in court that any member of the NEC is involved in so that we must lead by example and we have shown that we are capable of managing ourselves and therefore, we do not need the minister to help us resolve what we are capable of resolving.
“People have issues which they feel strongly about, and as a result, the NWC took some decisions which affected my friend and brother, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy National Chairman North. The NWC had a reason for suspending him as at then.
“Today we have reviewed the situation and we believe that in the spirit of our renewed commitment to build unity and true reconciliation, we as leaders of the party elected at the convention should live by example.
“And that means for those we think have offended the system, we have chosen to lift their suspensions. Sen. Lawal Shuaibu can resume his duties as Deputy National Chairman, North.”
He added: “We also reviewed the matter of Inuwa Abdulkadir, National Vice Chairman Northwest. By the same spirit, the NWC was unanimous in lifting the suspension and he resumes work with immediate effect.”
Also yesterday, the Edo State chapter of the party commended the president and the PGF for its timely intervention.
Its chairman, Anselm Ojezua, told reporters in Benin City that there was a second chance for possible reconciliation among the gladiators.