Ahead of the forthcoming congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Integrity Group of the party in Kwara has rejected the consensus proposal by a faction of the party loyal to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
The group, which made this known on Sunday in Ilorin at a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Umar Shabba, said it was determined to prove its numerical strength through direct congresses.
Represented by the Vice Chairman, Isiaka Alao, the group declared that its members in APC were fully prepared for direct congresses immediately after the registration and revalidation exercise.
“We hereby state categorically that we are fully prepared to go for direct congresses immediately after registration/revalidation exercise.
“We are not, and shall not be part of the unilateral “consensus” arrangement being proposed by the governor’s group.
“The beauty of democracy is in allowing minority to have their say, even when majority have their way.
“The only civilised way to prove our numerical values is through congresses, not by any proxy.
“With regret, it has become an open secret that our governing party in this state is critically ill, lying in the operation theatre for surgery.
“Regrettably still, the Chief Medical Director is contemplating “mercy killing” by withholding extreme medical measures, rather than providing life support for the patient,”” he said.
He also said the members of the group had declared support for Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, and Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State for Transport.
“We hereby express our confidence and unflinching support for Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyat Saraki for being good ambassadors of Kwara State as Honourable Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We deeply and passionately appreciate their contributions to upholding the honour and glory of APC in this State.
“We cannot but eulogise Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa for his sense of maturity, sacrifices and uprightness that have been sustaining the party till date,” he added.
He described the group as a think-tank and an advisory body that provides intellectual support services to the State Working Committee of the party.
He called on the national leadership of the APC to address the complaints of party members that were not registered in the last registration and revalidation exercise.
The chairman said that it was not true that the APC leadership abandoned its gubernatorial candidate as claimed by AbdulRazaq.
“It is also important to affirm that there is not a scintilla of truth in the stories of contest for the leadership of APC between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji AbdulRauf Lai Mohammed, during and after the elections.
“The position of the party that the governor is the leader is never in dispute and it is so recognised by the rank and file of our party in this state.
