By George Coben, Bauchi
The group, concerned youths and women of Toro, under the umbrella of concerned youth organisation and grassroots politics, Toro LGA, of Bauchi State, made the call on friday through its spokesperson, Sufiyanu Muhammad Tama, in a press briefing at NUJ secretariat, Bauchi.
Muhammad Tama lamented that though Toro LGA has remained one of the strongest political and dependable electoral strongholds of the APC in the state, the party may suffer avoidable political disaster in the area and by extension across the state if urgent intervention is not carried out.
He said that over the years, the youths and women of Toro have consistently demonstrated uncommon loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication toward the success of the party at all levels.
“In every election cycle, the youths and women of Toro have stood by the party, defending it with their energy, resources, voices, and votes, with the area being one with the highest voting centres and APC population in the state, second only to Bauchi LGA, in terms of political relevance and grassroots mobilisation capacity,” he stressed.
Muhammad Tama said despite this political background, it is heartbreaking that Toro LGA currently appears politically abandoned, marginalized and neglected within the APC structure in the state.
The spokesperson said the exit of the strongest and most influential APC figure in the area, senator Shehu Buba Umar from the contest of the party’s gubernatorial ticket alongside the denial of the senatorial ticket to Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman, have created disappoinment, frustration and uncertainty among many APC supporters, and stakeholders.
“Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman has contributed to the growth, stability and grassroots strength of APC in Toro LGA and beyond.
“Many loyal party members strongly believe that such sacrifice, commitment and dedication to the party deserve recognition and proper engagement by the leadership of the party,” he said.
The spokesperson said that Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman has made provisions that touched the lives of the people across the 7 LGAs of the Bauchi South Senatorial District in the areas of youth and women empowerment, job creation, educational support and humanitarian assistance.
Tama who said that the aspirant who has thus endeared himself to the people of the LGA, also rendered significant financial assistance to the party at different times, with many party supporters acknowledging his role in sustaining party activities and strengthenening the APC structure at the grassroots level.
The group warned that the political atmosphere on ground is already showing signs of frustration, disappoinment and anger among party supporters.
It called the attention of the APC leadership at the national, state and local government level to the importance of engaging and supporting Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman, who remains one of the few committed political figures from the area.
Tama said at a time when key political actors are leaving the party, it is dangerous for it to also lose committed stakeholders who believe in the future of the party.
The group which expressed its loyalty to the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commitment to his Renewed hope agenda, and strongly believe in his vision for Nigeria, called for his urgent intervention in the political crises affecting APC Toro, and the state at large.
It appealed to him to encourage unity, reconciliation, synergy, and inclusiveness within the party structure so that loyal party supporters will not feel abandoned.
The group’s recommendation for urgent actions to be taken in the interest of the party were the holding of immediate reconciliation meetings with all aggrieved stakeholders in Toro LGA, strategic engagement with Dr. Ibrahim Ali Usman and other loyal party stakeholders, inclusion of Toro youths and women in the party’s decision making process.
Others were, restoration of confidence among grassroots APC supporters, prevention of further defections from the APC, political recognition of Toro LGA’s contributions to APC’s growth in Bauchi State, and establishment of stronger communication between the party leadership and grassroots supporters.
