By Ezeocha Nzeh
Former Governor of Bornu state and frontlinbe contender to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairmanship position, senator Ali Modu Sheriff has declared that successful conduct of the party’s February 26 national Convention will add to woes of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Sheriff told journalist at the weekend in Abuja that, the PDP will be so confused and rattled that it may have to start from ground zero by the time the APC concludes its national convention.
“By the time we finish our Convention, the opposition will go back to their drawing board to start from zero because they know us and we know them because in Nigeria’s political equation, everyone knows everyone.
“We are stronger than them. It is APC and the others. We have a strong media base, strong intellectuals and many others. So, whatever they are banking on, we are ten times better than them.
“Before we came, 24 local governments were under the hands of insurgents under the PDP and we could not go home. Today, the situation has changed. So, security has to be a collective business. Yes, we still have challenges in some parts of the country but I believe that before the president leaves if he could find a solution for the North East, he can also find a solution for the North-West”, he added.
The APC chairmanship aspirant also denied widespread report that he was using the party’s chairmanship position to launch his presidential ambition in 2023, saying he cannot be distracted from his bid to superintend the ruling party.
He emphasized that he is in no way eyeing the presidency in 2023, noting that he is only interested in leading the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to actualize victory for the party in the 2023 general election
“Some people said he is pretending, that he is looking for a president and not party chairman. I want to put it on record. I am not contesting for president. I want to be the APC national chairman so that I can lead a campaign like what we did before to ensure that our leader President Muhammadu Buhari hands over to another APC member.
“If I want to be president, I won’t be afraid to say it. I am not afraid of anybody. Whosoever we decide to be our presidential candidate, I will support the person and lead the charge if by God’s grace I become the national chairman.“I am running for national chairman and I want is to help the president to maintain his legacy by handing over to someone from the APC.
“Some people are afraid because they know that I am competent to do what I am aspiring to do,” he declared.
…Stakeholders drum support for Akume
Meanwhile, some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC have insisted that former Governor of Benue state, senator George Akume remains the most qualified candidate for the APC plum job
The stakeholders who are members of the contact committee of the Akume Campaign Organization stated at a press conference at the weekend in Abuja that the minister is not a “businessman,” adding that he has consistently set his mind on people rather than materials.and wealthThe pro Akume group, who were led by the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria NPN, Chief Simone Shango included a former Governor of Edo state, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; a former Editor of Daily Times, Mallam Farouk Mohammed in ash, former Editor, Daily Times and a former Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Barr. Sam Ode.
Others were the Publisher, Summit Newspapers, Chief Ray Murphy, Governorship aspirant, Chief Terlumun Akputu, and a former senator, Prof. Terhemba Shija.The group noted, “We have noticed that lately, our principal, Senator George Akume has been subjected to all manner of sponsored press attacks.
“We believe that the main reason for such hostility is because Senator George Akume is the aspirant to beat for the position of APC National Chairman 2022. In relative terms and by all accounts including the views of many APC stakeholders and generality of Nigerians, Senator George Akume is clearly the best aspirant for the job.
“As the records will show, Senator George Akume has done a lot for our great party APC right from the time of the merger. Also, he is not a businessman as he consistently sets his mind towards service to the good people of Nigeria. Thus we call on our teeming supporters across the country to remain calm, as nothing good comes easy”.
