The peace and reconciliation meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State was held on Sunday, with conflicting interpretations of its resolutions from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor, Hyacinth Alia.

Akume had, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, convened the peace and reconciliation meeting of party stakeholders in Makurdi.

The meeting, held at the state Government House, according to the SGF, was to find lasting peace to the lingering crisis rocking the party in the state.

Answering questions from journalists after the meeting, the SGF said that peace was the paramount purpose of the meeting.

Akume added that part of the resolution was an automatic ticket for all elective officers, from the governor to all members of the National and State Assemblies.

The SGF further said that the governor had apologised for all the crises in the party in the state.

Senator Akume said, “Where we went wrong, we want to get back and we want everybody to have a place, we want inclusiveness in this party.

“Secondly, the Rev. Fr. (governor) said he was sorry, which is very good. He told us he was sorry for what had happened.

“And of course again, all those elected on the platform of the APC, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly must still come back. It’s automatic, they must come back and Fr must return to us. Those are the issues we discussed.”

But the state governor countered the SGF while fielding questions from journalists after the meeting.

According to him, the President and the national chairman of the party had emphasised that there is no automatic ticket for any candidate in the party.

He admitted that he apologised as a responsible leader to allow peace to reign in the party.

Alia said, “We all agreed to come under one roof and the import of this is to reconcile with each other and to find common ground as we were working and operating before now.

“To work for the progress of our party and the development of APC in the state and the nation at large, and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity for the citizens of the state to enjoy.

“For those who were aggrieved, I have to apologize on behalf of every member of APC. By doing that, it was deliberate as a responsible leader of the party.”

Speaking on the resolution of the party, the governor said that it was beyond him and the SGF.

“The resolution is beyond both of us because APC has told us plainly and Mr President has mentioned several times, as well as the national chairman of APC, all said there is no automatic ticket.

“What the SGF said was a prayer and not a resolution, but a prayer to people to see how they can support those who are serving currently. That is not what the President and national chairman said. It was an appeal and prayer to the citizens of the state to be able to bring these people back.”

The ruling APC In the state has faced serious turmoil in the past three years due to a leadership tussle between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor, Hyacinth Alia.

The struggle for control of the party structure has pitched the governor against his political godfather and party stakeholders, thus splitting the party into two factions.

The groups had, in the last congresses, produced separate working committees from ward to state level. (Sunday PUNCH)

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