In a move to resolve the lingering crisis over the just concluded Kogi State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress has mandated party leaders in the state to broker peace.

Pursuant to this mandate, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi (SAN), an indigene of Kogi State, convened a meeting in Abuja on Sunday night.

It was learnt on Monday that the meeting, which was held in Asokoro, was attended by party stalwarts from the three senatorial districts of the state.

One of those who attended the meeting, Dr. Onukaba Ojo, said the meeting primarily stressed the need for unity and progress in the state.

While confirming his attendance at the meeting, Ojo said, “I attended a meeting of APC stakeholders, called by Labour and Productivity Minister, James Ocholi, SAN.

‘The two-hour meeting was held on Sunday and it was attended by about 50 people from the three senatorial zones.”

He said far-reaching decisions were taken, some of which included the fact that Kogi needed peace, unity and reconciliation.

In order to achieve these objectives, leaders were encouraged to impress it upon the people the need to be law-abiding and for all to refrain from inciting, reckless and hateful speeches and writings.

It was also agreed that efforts should be made to bring the Governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; his deputy, Abiodun Faleke, and other aggrieved persons together in the spirit of reconciliation.

Ojo added, “A committee of elders is to be set up, comprising people from the three senatorial zones to promote reconciliation, good governance and peace in the state.

“It will also explore the possibility of out-of-court settlement of existing cases.”

The stakeholders, he said, equally agreed that the stakeholders meetings should be held regularly to advance the interest of the state and that the next meeting of the group would be held in Lokoja.

He said those present at the meeting paid glowing tributes to the late APC governorship candidate in the November 21 election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

“Personally, I was encouraged by the mature, reconciliatory remarks of most of the attendees. They said they were more concerned about good governance in the state than where the governor comes from,” Ojo said.

Ojo, a journalist, urged citizens and residents of the state to put an end to name-calling and incendiary posts and speeches online and offline as well as rumour mongering.

He called on the people to promote peace and reconciliation.

Those who attended the meeting included a former APC governorship aspirant, Yakubu Mohammed; Senators Abdurrahman Abubakar, Mohammed Ohiare, a member of the House of Representatives, Jibrin Baba, and Prof. Olu Akerejola, among others.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties has described as successful the election of Bello as the governor of the state.

The CNPP, in a statement on Monday in Lokoja, described the election as a breath of fresh air, destined by God to restore the state to the path of sustainable development

The statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Abdanis Ibrahim; and Secretary, Ilyas Badanga, and the nine chairmen of CNPP in the state, urged the people of the state to support Bello’s administration, which it said was an intervention by God to rescue the state from underdevelopment

The CNNP noted that Audu would have died in vain if Bello was not elected, calling on the people to shun political bickering for the progress of the state.

It added, “We urge all Kogites to support this young man, who is in a hurry to bring his managerial acumen to uplift the state.

“We have seen what he has achieved within a short period in business and in industry and with the support of all of us, he will take the state to the Promised Land.”

It urged the Peoples Democratic Party to avoid dragging the incoming administration into endless litigation, saying the people of the state suffered untold hardship as a result of legal tussles against the outgoing government in the state.