I PLEDGE TO A DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP THAT WILL BE GUIDED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR PARTY – SENATOR UMAR TANKO ALMAKURA.
Senator Al-makura who is the Former Governor of Nasarawa State and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship aspirant stated this in Abuja APC headquarters while addressing journalists after the submission of his nomination forms kick against the consensus option in choosing the next leader of the ruling party.
Senator Tanko Al-Makura has described himself as democrat and a believer in inclusive politics which allows people to exercise their franchise by voting the candidates of their choice.
There is no doubt that the ruling All Progressives Congress has evolved after the merger and successful wrestle of power from the self-imploded PDP. However, the ruling party’s growth as it is in every human organization is not bereft of its fair share of the challenges of inclusivity and harmonization of the various interests. That, in effect, has given vent to a dire leadership strait in the party at this time. Against that backdrop, some gladiators have presented themselves to be hired by the party.
While we recognize and appreciate the rights and contributions of all the aspirants for the national chairmanship of the party, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura, clearly stands out as the most visible with distinguishable leadership features. Moreover, his rich political pedigree, which is quite enigmatic, has set him on a glowing pedestal in the workings and management of the affairs of a major political party like the APC.
As his admirers would fondly call him, TAAL is a homegrown Nigerian educationist, businessman, administrator, and politician with the understanding and capacity to play for the high stakes in our body polity. He has demonstrated these character traits in the critical assignments he has been entrusted with in the past, grinding out remarkable results under challenging situations.
As the former governor of his home state of Nasarawa, Al-Makura was saddled with leading the committee to restore peace and resolve contentious issues in the party in some states in the Northeast in 2018. He discharged the assignment dutifully, and the party became better for it. Al-Makura chaired the party’s electoral committee that conducted the 2018 governorship primaries in Ekiti state, and he delivered to the admiration of all stakeholders. By his conduct, Al-Makura laid the foundation for the eventual victory of the party against an incumbent PDP government in the governorship election in that state. He is the real octopus with the Midas touch for beating the PDP.
In 2011, Tanko Al-Makura demonstrated uncommon political prowess when he led the newly formed CPC to upstage a well-entrenched incumbent PDP government in his state in the governorship election. As a result, he became the only CPC governor in the country. That was no mean feat in the turf. He is regarded as a man of unparalleled wit who understands the rudiments of partisan politics – an effortless political genius of sorts. As the APC is undergoing a snooze time, the party will need the dispassionate candor and enviable charisma of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to be on the driving seat to navigate it through the murky waters.
As one of the founding fathers of the party where he served in the merger committee discounting all the bills of the members of his former party on the said assignment, Al-Makura comes across as a man with the depth and understanding of the vision of the party. He has a full grasp of the direction of the party. The distinguished Senator is not only abreast of the issues plaguing the party; he is equally set out to consolidate on the gains already recorded and chart a progressive course for the party in the future. Al-Makura comes with the magic wand to partner with Mr. President and builds synergy with other stakeholders as a good team player to guarantee victory for the party as the 2023 general election beckons.
He is an exceptional gentleman with prodigious intellect who has built a superlative network of friends, spreading his tentacles across the length and breadth of the country and beyond. In that regard, Al-Makura has unobtrusively etched his name as a detribalized Nigerian with the right frame of mind to stabilize the ship of the APC going forward. Therefore, APC cannot afford to rob itself of the best choice to provide leadership at this time.
He is a listening leader with the stubborn belief in the dignity of every person. For him, everyone is inherently deserving of dignified treatment and he has the facility for putting people – regardless of their station and strata in life – at rest. His Excellency is a graceful man – without self-inflation or that typical affected pomposity which is the trademark of many successful Nigerian politicians of his standing.
Al-Makura’s penchant for details and clear logic have cast him as a legendary figure in our politics. He does not have a massive frame, but he does have massive brain. The Senator is a good blend of the young, old, and middle ages. These are some of the vital elements that the party needs to sustain its progressive inclination. Al-Makura is savvy and keeps his eyes on the ball at all times. Al-Makura is a devout Muslim, but he exudes an admirable tolerance and avowed respect for adherents of other faiths.
He is so young at heart with innovative ideas, good discretion, result-oriented, dedicated to duty, hardworking, and keeps tabs on modern trends, yet maintains timeless values in all his dealings. APC cannot trade or substitute a man with these qualities for anyone else. Therefore, Al-Makura is truly the perfect fit for the rebirth and resurgence that the party is so desirous of at this time.
He opined to support an open-door policy, internal party democracy with full participation of members so that they will have a sense of belonging and determine the fate and direction of the party.
Senator Al-makura promised to relate with all legislators from Senate up to counsellor so that together they can give the country that desired leadership that will enhance deep seated democracy in the system.
The former Nassarawa State Governor, informed that he will give a leadership that it is guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of APC, saying his experience in the field of politics will come handy.
“The success of this project starts from one’s compliance with the directives and guidelines of our great party. I’m here to show my respect and deference to the leadership of the party, by complying with the regulations and guidelines that will make the process of the emergence of leaders of this party free, fair and credible.
Having said that, I am motivated to contest for this office for two reasons. One, as one that has been opportune by providence to be around and holding a position as governor when the party was being merged. I knew and I still know how much sacrifices great men and women made to ensure of the birth of APC.
“I know the contributions, the efforts. Those efforts are in order to consolidate and solidify the unity of this country. This merger is not just a mere accord, or alliance. It is a merger of conscience, a merger of philosophy, a merger of ideology, a merger of ideas, all in the quest to make Nigeria great. People from the north, east, south and west, with different parties and tendencies come together to assume one united, harmonious, mutual focus and unity as Nigerians.
“With I’m bringing to the table according to your question. You see my motivation is for national unity and cohesion. What am I going to do what do I have to fasttrack or preside over this process, because there’ll be no government, if there is no party, a formidable party.
“I believe all my pedigree as past experiences should be brought to bear to ensure that this party is formidable, formidable in the sense that we should have a leadership that will be sincere, honest, and be fair to everyone.
“A leadership that will ensure that it is guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of our party. My experience in the field of politics, which I believe will come handy, at this point in time, is the fact that I was a youth leader. And if you see the population of APC, it is populated by majority of the youth. Even though I’m about 70, I am youth at heart, because I’ve been a youth leader; a youth leader as NUNS executive in 1974, a youth leader as MP and youth leader in plateau. So I know the terrain and the mindset of youths.
“With regard to women, amongst those that advocates the forefront to advocate for affirmative action. So I am very good, comfortable environment with the women. You can see that they are surrounding me.
What I’m bringing to the table is my experience, as party official, my experience as a youth and my expereince as a friend to the gender of female. My experience as governor of Nasarawa state for eight years has afforded me the opportunity to know the dynamics of administration. So I will be very amenable with the governors because we’ll be on the same page.
“So also the legislators who make the laws for this country, by the special grace of God, I’m a Senator. And I will relate with all legislators from Senate up to counsellor so that together we can give this country that desired leadership that will enhance deep seated democracy in the system.
Which of the systems of choice will you like for the APC to use: Direct, indirect or consensus?
” You see , I’m a Democrat. Our party constitution has given three procedures for emergence of leadership, direct, indirect, and consensus. But I can tell you, the best option is that which allows franchise and permission for everyone to participate in the exercise. I will support an open-door policy, internal party democracy with full participation of members so that they will have a sense of belonging and determine the fate and direction of the party. Thank you.
Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
(Garkuwan Giza)
Media Aide To Distinguished People’s Senator Umar Tanko Almakura.
