Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the state to maintain the unity of the party ahead of its state congress scheduled for Saturday.
Yahaya who made the appeal during the Pre-APC State Congress meeting on Friday in Gombe, said the meeting was to assess all that happened, especially events leading to the congresses at the ward and local government levels.
He said that the success recorded during the ward and LG congresses could not have happened without the support and cooperation of all members, especially party stalwarts in the state.
According to him, fair play and justice played a major role in ensuring that the party experienced no crises after the exercise, adding “we’ll continue to ensure fairness, so that we carry everyone along.’’
The governor appealed that the unity of the party exercised during the ward and local government congresses should be maintained during the state congress.
“I am therefore pleading with you all to let us fulfill the pledge we made at the beginning, so that we will continue as one bunch of brooms, which is the symbol of our party.
“I am also appealing that tomorrow’s State Congress is conducted in an orderly manner and according to the agreed procedure, just like the Chairman of the Committee on the Gombe State Congress highlighted,’’ he said.
Yahaya, being the party leader in the state, pledged to ensure that every member of the party had a sense of belonging and is involved in every step taken in the party.
He further appealed to all members to exercise patience and know that the government is mindful of their contributions towards the unity of the party.
The Committee Chairman for the Conduct of Congresses in Gombe State, Mr Danjuma Dabo, said he is confident the State Congress would record the same successes recorded from the ward and local government congresses conducted in the state.
Dabo assured that the state congress would be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
He said his committee would conduct a rigorous screening exercise to ensure that those who eventually emerge as leaders of the party at the State level are those of proven integrity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the stakeholders present at the party, included serving and former senators and House of Representatives members, amongst others.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders unanimously reaffirmed their earlier resolve to adopt consensus method in electing the state party officials.