Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Kwara have said they would conduct a parallel congress on July 31 in the state.

A group loyal to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had on Tuesday announced its planned separate congress same date.

Addressing newsmen in Ilorin on Thursday at the APC Secretariat, Mr Ladi Mustapha, Legal Adviser of the Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa-led caretaker committee, said the faction would go ahead with the ward congress on Saturday.

“Gentlemen of the press, you are invited here this afternoon for briefing on our preparedness for the ward congresses of our great party, which commences next Saturday, July 31, 2021, provided every other thing remains constant,” he said.

Mustapha said the party has secured nomination forms for all members wishing to contest for ward executives and delegates.

According to him, the nomination forms were brought to the party secretariat after paying the prescribed fees at the bank.

“Gentlemen of the press, I am delighted to inform you that we have secured nomination forms for all prospective contestants into positions at the Wards and Local Governments in compliance with the set guidelines for the exercise.

“Furthermore, we have notified the relevant agencies as required by the Electoral Act, 2006 (As Amended).

“In spite of the unnecessary contours and roadblock mounted by some adversaries of this party, the truth has vindicated the just, that our flight of progress has continued to fly in higher altitudes.

“We have proved to the reactionary group that we are made of stiffer stuff and that the moving train is unstoppable.

“In a nutshell, the ship is smooth sailing towards a safe harbor on this very crucial and important obligation to our Party.

“In this connection, it is pertinent to dilate briefly on the antics by some retrogressive elements that have swung their theatrics from absurd buffoonery to high tragedy by deceptively congregating in the corridors of illegality over the chairmanship position of our party in this state.

“However, we have remained undaunted, resolute and focused on the ideals and philosophy of our party,” the legal adviser said.

According to him, Bolarinwa remained the authentic caretaker chairman of the party in Kwara, adding that he is legally sworn in in Abuja by the national caretaker chairman, Alhaji Mai Buni.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court ruling on Jegede Vs. Rotimi Akeredolu Governorship election should be bold enough on the wall of justice that Hon. Bashir Ọmọlaja Bolarinwa’s chairmanship is as solid, in law, as the Rock of Gibraltar.

“Therefore, it is advisable for the political masquerades to step back to the shrine and allow peace to reign in the party,” he said.

Mustapha blamed the national leadership of the party headed by Gov. Mai Buni of Yobe for the crisis rocking APC in Kwara.

“Buni is complicit and we cannot absolve him from the crisis rocking the APC in Kwara because he has been perverting the cause of justice against the interest of the party.

“He has refused to own up to his words that congresses will not happen in Kwara state until bonafide members are duly registered before the conduct of the congress.

“Again, Hon Bolarinwa was sworn in, he sworn an oath at Abuja along with other 36 others caretaker chairmen, by the same Buni, the same Buni issued another letter to another parading himself as chairman of the party, therefore, he is complicit and guilty of abuse of office.

“It is difficult to absolve the current National leadership of our party of complicity in the crisis rocking APC in Kwara state today.

“They have tried all the tricks in the book to pervert the cause of justice on issues, but our God is a God of justice,” he added.

Mustapha commended journalists for their neutrality and sense of professionalism in reporting the crisis in the party.