Tinubu Intervenes in Kwara APC Crisis

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has intervened in the simmering crisis that had rocked the ruling APC in Kwara State.

The party had been enmeshed in crisis since the electoral victory of the party in the 2019 general elections and created factions in the party.

A faction was led by the State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, under the aegis of “AA Support Group of APC” and another led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed under the aegis of “APC Loyal.”

However, THISDAY’s investigations have revealed that the former Lagos State’s governor met with one of the groups in the party led by Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) at his country home in Abuja on Monday to ensure that peace would return to the party.

Kwara APC stakeholders present at the meeting included a member Representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Saheed Popoola; former Gubernatorial Aspirants; Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Mr. Shuaib Yamman Abdullahi, Mr. Lukman Mustapha, Mr. Hakeem Lawal and Mr. Tajudeen Audu, among others

It was gathered that the peace meeting, which was held for over three hours, allowed the group to tell the former governor of Lagos State what led to the crisis shortly after the electoral victory of the APC during the 2019 general elections in the state.

Another group in the party that was led by Mr. Sunday Fagbemi, had met with Tinubu in Abuja shortly after his arrival from medical trip from London.

However, at the Hon. Bolarinwa led group meeting on Monday in Abuja with Tinubu, sources told journalists in Ilorin yesterday that “the APC in Kwara State must work together so as not to hinder the electoral success of the party during the next general elections.”

Sources close to the meeting told journalists that “Tinubu recounted the political struggles in Kwara State spearheaded by Hon. Bolarinwa in 2019, reiterating that he and other stakeholders alike have paid their dues and must not allow the gains of ‘O TO GE’ (Enough is Enough) movement fade away.

“I enjoin you to consult with your supporters and find a common ground. If there are ways you think I can intervene to possibly bring back lasting peace in Kwara APC, do let me know. I will gladly do. The gains of Kwara political struggles must not be allowed to fade away.”

The sources added that “I will give Kwara APC absolute support but the party stakeholders should consider a common ground in the interest of the party’s electoral fortune in the coming elections.”

Tinubu was also said to have expressed disappointment concerning the ugly development in the APC in Kwara State and refuted claim in some quarters that he had a meeting or backed any factional chairman of the party from Kwara State, noting that his encounter with them was ‘casual’ at the entrance of his home and had nothing to do with Kwara APC discussion.

“Some men only bumped into me at my doorstep and said they were from Kwara and wanted to pose for pictures with me.

“I obliged them. Our encounter was casual, less than five minutes. We had no discussion concerning Kwara APC,” Tinubu said according to sources at the meeting.

Bolarinwa, earlier in his submission at the meeting said the visit was to felicitate with Tinubu on his successful surgery and also intimate the APC leader about the crisis rocking Kwara.