A group, North Central Progressives Alliance (NCPA) has adopted Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as its candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) .
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a one -day National Conference of North Central Progressives Alliance (NCPA) held on Tuesday but made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday.
In the communique, NCPA said its adoption of Al-Makura for the position of the national Chairman of the APC was based on his pedigree as a distinguished and an accomplished politician of note.
Al-Makura who is currently representing Nasarawa South in the Senate is also the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State.
The group noted that with his past experiences in party administration, impeccable administrative credentials, astute political pedigree and a unifier of many years standing, Al-Makura is the right man for the job.
The communique was signed by Rt Hon Clarence Olafemi, a former Speaker and acting governor of Kogi State, former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Mr Silas Agara and the former speaker of Niger state house of assembly, Rt Hon. Adamu Usman.
“The North Central Progressives Alliance (NCPA) , therefore implored other aspirants in the zone and APC stakeholders across the zone to rally support for Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura in the spirit of oneness, brotherhood and the progress of North Central,” the communique said.
The group also commended President Muhammadu Buhari who is also the leader of the party for his efforts in holding the country together and facilitating harmonious relationship in APC in spite of daunting security challenges
The NCPA lamented that the North Central zone had been badly affected by insurgency and banditry, calling in the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to rise up to the challenge.
It also decried the political marginalisation of the zone since the inception of the present Democratic rule and called for concerted efforts to redress the situation.
The NCPA stressed the need for political gladiators in the zone to come together and form a formidable team that can continue to rise and speak for the interests of the good people of the North Central Zone.
“Considering the contributions of the North Central to the fortunes of APC right from inception, NCPA strongly deem it right for the position of the National Chairman of the party to be exclusively zoned to North Central.
“Since two major national positions of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of the Senate President are currently in North West and North East respectively, NCPA has no option than to agree with majority of North Central party faithful, gladiators and political leaders insistence on the zoning of the National Chairmanship position of the party to the North Central zone,” the statement added.
In attendance at the one -day conference are ; His Excellency Rt Hon Asiwaju Clarence Olafemi – Former acting Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Hon. Silas Agara, a former Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State, Senator Emmanuel Dangana Ocheja, Rt. Hon Abdullahi Bello, Former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly and Hon Sadiq A. Mohammed , a former Member of House of Representatives.
Others are Hon. Adamu Usman, former Speaker Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabir Ajanah , Former Member of House of Representatives,
Hon Nathaniel Ojo Taiwo, former member of Kogi State House of Assembly,
Hon Hussaini Ibrahim, Former Deputy Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Dr Abdullahi Bala , Former Deputy Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Yori Afolabi, a former Minority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Musa Alhaji Sule , a former Chief Whip, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Fehinti Dada, former Chairman, Ijumu Local Government and Chief Hilary Amodu , a former Chairman, Idah Local Government
Also in attendance are Hon Mary E. Enwongwu , a former Commissioner, Nassarawa State, Prince Sani Ogu Salisu , a former Commissioner, Kogi State,
Hajiya Faridah Odangi , Member, Sen Tanko Al-Makura Campaign Council, Hon Muhammad Kabir Idris, Member, Sen Tanko Al-Makura Campaign Council, Hon Collins Adama, a former Vice Chairman, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government, Hon Abdullahi A. Mammangi, a former member of Niger State House of Assembly and Chief J. O. Yusuf , former Special Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff, Presidency.
Dignitaries present at the conference are Ismail Ibrahim, .Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Asamaki, Otunba Bosun Omokore, Hon Popoola Theophelus and Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho, the Chief Administrator of NCPA . (vitalnews)
