APC CHAIRMANSHIP: GROUP DRUMS SUPPORT FOR SENATOR AL-MAKURA:

A group, the All Progressives Congress Coalition for Credible Leadership says the emergence of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, as the National Chairman of the APC is the best thing that could happen to the party ahead of the 2027 general election, saying his personality will have a calming effect on the storms in the party.

The group also dismissed as baseless the prediction that Al-Makura’s emergence as APC’s National Chairman might trigger political rifts that could cost the party Nasarawa State in the up coming election, observing that contrary to the dogfight between former governors and their successors, the incumbent governor, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, remained Al-Makura’s chief campaigner for the coveted office.

The Coalition stated this in a press release signed by it’s National Coordinator.

“The statement credited to a group named APC Unity Forum claiming a rift between Senator Tanko Al-Makura and Governor Abdullahi Sule, which could worsen and result in APC losing Nasarawa State to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 general election is both illogical and total falsehood.

“On the contrary, not only has Governor Abdullahi Sule been very public and unapologetic as Senator Al-Makura’s chief campaigner for the office of the National Chairman of our great party, the popular view among party faithful and key stakeholders is that Al-Makura’s emergence will have a calming effect on the party’s storms, given his peaceful, and humble, cosmopolitan nature.

“It is equally noteworthy that while the recent state congresses of the APC were marred by cracks and parallel congresses in many states, that of Nasarawa State went smoothly and without any issues, given the quality relationship Al-Makura enjoys with Governor Sule,” he said.

The group, therefore, added that Al-Makura had all that it takes to reconcile the contesting interests, boost the party’s national popularity ahead of the 2027 elections, given his far-reaching goodwill within and outside the party.

Regarding the investigation of the former governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the APC Coalition for Credible Leadership cautioned against the politicisation of the agency’s work by any group, as the EFCC was obliged to look into every petition to it to determine its merit, stressing that invitation by the EFCC for whatever reason is not an indictment.

“By the principles of justice even people charged to court are deemed innocent until proven guilty, let alone a public servant that was just invited by the EFCC and duly honoured the invitation as a responsible citizen that has nothing to fear”, the coalition concluded.

Despite all this tribulation as the only CPC Governor, Al-Makura refused to defect to or take cover in the ruling PDP. He remained loyal to the party and even went on to win a second term in 2015, leaving behind trailblazing records in good governance and democracy dividends in 2019. The incumbent, Governor Abdullahi Sule, described him as the architect of modern Nasarawa State.

Al-Makura was the only governor the CPC legacy party brought to the merger talks that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC); and that the same party produced APC’s presidential candidate in 2015 showed the popularity of Muhammadu Buhari and the political deftness of that CPC’s lone governor, Al-Makura.

Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that many have continued to point in his direction as APC’s search for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s replacement gathers momentum, with Governor Sule as the cheerleader. This is an uncommon scenario in a polity where relationships between predecessors and their incumbents are that of cat and dog. This in itself underscores Al-Makura’s ability to manage political relationships.

However, there are many, including Governor Sule, who believe that it is now CPC’s turn to chair the party since virtually every other legacy party has occupied the position. “If Nigeria would be kind to CPC, Nasarawa State is the place to look at so that you can be kind to CPC”, Sule said.

While Al-Makura ponders the overtures, there is no doubt that the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Interim National Working Committee of the APC has done a great job trying to reinvent and reconcile the party. Therefore, someone in the Senator’s mold deserves the opportunity and should be encouraged to step in as the next Chairman of the APC to consolidate on the gains made so far.

There is no doubt that Al-Makura should be a close ally and confidant of the President, who himself does not joke with loyalty. What surprises many, however, is that Al-Makura does not throw his weight about or engage in influence peddling. He goes about his legislative businesses quietly and responsibly.

*Garkuwan Giza*