APC National Conversation: Group declared support for Sen. Almakura as national Chairman

Favour Ishember, Abuja

With  just 16 days to the upcoming party’s convention slated for March 26th, the Alliance of Northern Progressive Youths(ANPY) has declared their support to the aspiration of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for the office of the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The Director, Gender and Governance, Alliance of Northern Progressive Youths, Ms. Amina Lawi Wakawa who made this declaration in a media briefing,described Senator Almakura as a true democrat and great achiever who is most suitable to occupy the office of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) than any other person aspiring for  the position.

Wakawa explained that the political career and experiences of Sen. Almakura, represents a symbol of hope and emancipation in the Nigerian politics, whose determination to the cause of democracy, humanity, good governance  and love for common man anchored on fairness, equity and justice preceded his emergence as the elected Executive Governor of Nasarawa State in 2011.

 

In the words of the Director:” it is very imperative to states that the victory of Al-Makura in Nasarawa State in 2011 was the factor that made President Muhammadu Buhari to be a forced to be reckoned with during the merger of the defunct Action Congress, CPC, ANPP and some part of APGA and it was on the basis of that  President Muhammadu was considered the most deserving candidate of APC in 2015 because he was able to pulled out 12 million votes during the 2011 Presidential Elections under the platform of the defunct CPC with Al-Makura as the only CPC Governor behind Buhari”

 

 

“Within eight years in office, Al-Makura  transformed Nasarawa state into a model of good governance with his people-centred policies that  endeared him to the electorates who nicked named him ‘The architect of modern Nasarawa state’ hence their decision to reward him with Senate seat where he is currently setting a new phase as the best among all legislators representing the state at the National Assembly” she added.

 

 

Enumerating Almakura’s Contributions and Sacrifices, Wakawa said, when Al-Makura emerged governor under CPC in 2011, CPC only have the gubernatorial seat, one Senate and  five assembly members with PDP controlling the assembly with 19 lawmakers and two senators which they used as  weapon of vindictiveness. In their desperate efforts to frustrate  him, it culminated into a failed impeachment plot because his performance forced the people to rise up in his defence as he was subsequently exonerated of all the allegations against him by the impeachment panel.His victory and their failed plot made him to remain as the only CPC governor in Nigeria.

 

 

 

Most importantly, Wakawa explained that,  Al-makura continued to hold the party together and provided leadership which left most opposition politicians in the state with no option than keep on defecting to CPC and later in appreciation of his performance. By the time 2015 election was held, he did not only won the state with wide margin but CPC also took over the state House of Assembly with 20  seats, two senators, four rep members leaving PDP with only one senator and one rep member.

In the build up to 2019 election when the party was being threatened  over Sule’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer, Al-Makura  quickly deployed his crisis management skills to bring all those who contested with Sule on board and pursuaded them to accept the result in good faith.

 

 

 

“There is no gainsaying to the fact that

Almakura contributed greatly to the successes of President Muhammadu Buhari and to the party at the National level. He delivered on so many national assignments given to him by the party’s national headquarters especially as Chairman APC primary election Committee in Ekiti and APC National Reconciliation Committee for the North-East States among his numerous contributions” she streed.

 

 

 

“Therefore, as the party gets set for the National Convention slated for March 26 with Al-Makura indicating interest to lead the party as its National Chairman, most analysts  believe that he is a round peg in a round hole and his emergence would be a reward for loyalty, hard work, competency and ensure justice, equity and fairness taking into consideration the fact that it is only CPC which Al-Makura belongs that is yet to produced the party national chairman among the three legacy parties that formed APC”she continued.

 

 

 

As the country inches toward the 2023 general election, the Director who said there is no better time for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to consolidate its grip on power than now,added that there is the need  to bring onboard a more efficient and effective national working committee of the party, which will work hard to truly reconcile members of the APC across the country.

 

 

Wakawa however, called on the leadership of APC to avoid imposition of any candidate in the name of consensus or alleged Presidential endorsement. “We believe President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of integrity who respect the provision of law and national interest and  will not impose or support the imposition of any candidate in the party” she hoped.

 

 

“APC as the rulling party must ensure internal party democracy with a view to deepen democratic culture in the country and the party should not entrust the leadership of the party in the hands of those who fought democracy and the party during its formative days in the country”.

 

 

ANPY is an umbrella body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Vanguard (APCNYV), APC Youth Parliament (APC Youth Parliament), Arewa Youths Alliance (AYA), Partners for National Youths Development (PANAYD) and Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL).