Former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, has called on candidates who emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections across the state to reconcile with and accommodate those who did not succeed in the exercise.
Shema made the call on Saturday shortly after participating in the APC presidential primary election in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
The former governor described the conduct of the presidential primary election as peaceful and encouraging, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu would emerge victorious again in the 2027 general election.
According to him, the affirmation process adopted by the party was in line with the Electoral Act and had so far been conducted smoothly across the country.
He acknowledged that there were minor complaints in some areas regarding other positions in the primary elections, saying reconciliation committees established at state and national levels were already addressing such concerns.
“There are pockets of issues here and there; it is human. No human activity or organisation is without challenges. What is important is how those issues are resolved,” he said.
Shema, who served as co-chairman of the APC reconciliation committee in Katsina alongside former Gov. Aminu Masari, said the committee had made significant progress in reconciling aggrieved party members following the primaries.
He stressed that politicians who lost during the primaries should not be seen as total losers, saying there were still opportunities for them within the party structure and governance process.
“As long as you remain in the party and continue to support it, there are opportunities ahead, perhaps even better than the positions being contested,” he said.
The former governor further urged victorious candidates at all levels to immediately begin reconciliation efforts with their opponents in order to strengthen party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
“My call is to all those who won primary elections to reach out to those who lost, work with them, placate them, accommodate them and encourage them to support the party,” he said.
He added that reconciliation should not be left to committees and government alone, but should also be championed by the successful candidates themselves.
“There will always be winners and losers in politics. But when some win and others lose, reconciliation and accommodation must take effect within the party,” Shema added.
Speaking on the APC’s chances in the 2027 polls, the former governor expressed confidence that the ruling party remained strong and capable of retaining power at both state and national levels. (NAN)
