According to a report by Punch on Saturday, May 23, 2026, former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has called on winners of the All Progressives Congress primary elections to reach out to aspirants who were unsuccessful in the exercise, saying such reconciliation is necessary to strengthen unity within the party ahead of future elections.
Shema made the appeal on Saturday while speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Shema Ward in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State during the party’s presidential primary election.
The former governor explained that internal disagreements are a normal part of political competition, especially during party primaries where multiple aspirants often contest for a single ticket.
He stated that what matters most after such exercises is how party members manage the outcome and work toward rebuilding trust among themselves.
According to him, reconciliation is an important tool for maintaining stability and ensuring that the party remains united after internal contests.
Shema noted that political contests often create tension and dissatisfaction among participants, but emphasized that these issues should not be allowed to weaken the structure of the party.
He said that members of the All Progressives Congress must focus on long-term unity rather than short-term disagreements arising from electoral outcomes.
He added that reconciliation efforts are necessary to prevent divisions that could affect future elections and party cohesion.
The former governor, who also served as co-chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee alongside former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, stated that the committee had recorded progress in addressing complaints raised by aggrieved members.
He explained that several consultations had been held with stakeholders across different levels of the party to reduce tensions and encourage dialogue among conflicting groups.
According to him, the goal of the committee is to ensure that grievances are resolved in a way that strengthens the party rather than divides it further.
Shema also advised aspirants who did not secure victory in the primaries to remain committed to the party and continue participating in its activities.
He stated that losing a primary election should not be interpreted as political failure or a reason to abandon the party structure.
According to him, political participation is a continuous process, and members still have opportunities to contribute to the party’s growth and success in different capacities.
He further explained that sustained cooperation among party members is essential for building strong relationships within the political structure.
Shema noted that unity within the All Progressives Congress would help the party remain competitive and focused as it prepares for future electoral challenges.
He emphasized that internal reconciliation efforts must be taken seriously by all stakeholders to ensure that disagreements from primaries do not extend into general elections.
The former governor also commented on the conduct of the presidential primary election in his local government area, stating that the process was peaceful and orderly.
He described the exercise as transparent and expressed satisfaction with the level of participation recorded during the voting process.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the election reflects the commitment of party members in the area to democratic principles and internal party discipline.
He said, “By the grace of Allah, President Tinubu will still emerge as the next president of Nigeria to serve a second term.
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