By ABUBAKAR YUSUF, Lokoja

The Kogi governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2019 election, Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin, has rejoined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

During a ceremony to welcome him back to the ruling party, which held in his polling unit at Anyigba, the former APGA governorship candidate said his return to APC was based on the return of internal democracy, and crises that bedeviled APGA in the area and the state.

The youngest APGA governorship candidate was received amidst tumultuous welcome by the party leader in the area and Chairman, Dekina Local Government, Prince Ishaq Shaibu Okolo.

He said democracy is a game of interest, therefore the harmonization of warring interest will be heed towards seamless and acceptable resolution.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for rising to the occasion by the removal of the former National Working Committee (NWC) members, saying this has chart a new course for APC to position itself to retain power in 2023.

He assured the stakeholders of the party and promised to work for the collective of party members, followers and supporters.

He maintained that leadership zeal of Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, has stabilised the party in the state and by extension Nigeria.

“With a grateful heart, I wish to bring to the notice of my supporters, friends and well wishers that officially, I would by the grace of God return to APC today by 10am at my polling unit in Anyigba, Dekina LGA, Kogi State.

“The return is based on the fact that I am one of the founding members of APC. As such, I left the party when the then leadership of the party couldn't stand firm to harmonize the interests of the stakeholders, and their inability to give everyone listening ears. All these plausible factors triggered me to find another platform.'

“Today, I am happy to return to my own party. This is because justice has been down, but at this juncture peace has been returned to the party.

“I wish to also use this opportunity to thank President Muhammad Buhari for the gallant step he took by dissolving the then National Working Committee of the party. I would also like to thank the stakeholders of the party both within and outside the state for their commitments towards the repositioning of the party.

“To the stakeholders that reached out to me, and convinced me on the need to return to the party, I am most grateful to you. To my own brother and friend, the Executive Chairman, Dekina LGA and the leader of the party in Dekina LGA, you are a leader indeed and I would like to commend your efforts to showcase the place of APC at the grassroots level.

“Finally, my special thanks go to Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Governor of Kogi State and the leader of the party in the State. I like to say thanks for your efforts to reposition the party for the task ahead.”