APC Chairmanship race, not a do or die affairs says Akume

Sen. George Akume,Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Govermental Affairs, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship race should not be seen as a do or die affairs.

Akume, also a former governor of Benue and a three term senator, said this on Thursday in Abuja when the Midlebelt Youth Vanguard paid him a courtesy visit.

The minister who is also interested in contesting the APC chairmanship position said his major concern was for the position to be zoned to the North-Central.

He added that he was however, still consulting with the party’s stakeholders before making any declaration on his aspirations.

“We are still going on with our State Congresses, after that it will be the National Convention. Our prayers are that let this position be zoned to the North-Central.

“I have not declared, but after appropriate consultations and the zoning, we will do the needful. When that occasion arises I will be depending on you. Whoever get your support is close to getting the victory.

“Also in our zone, we are all committed that whoever emerges will get the support of all of us. It is not a do-or-die affairs,” Akume said, adding that it was not about him as a person.

He, however, assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was committed to youth development as demonstrated in the signing of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into law.

He added that this was also being demonstrated in other youth focused programmes being implemented by the administration, stressing that no nation toils with the destiny of her youth.

The minister said that the present administration was also committed to the development of the country through infrastructural development, including road construction and rail projects.

He noted that despite obvious challenges, the country was doing well under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying that it needed the support of Nigerians to be able to do more.

Akume commended the group for counting him worthy and urged its members to continue to use the platform to pursue things that unit the region and Nigeria, rather than things that sought to create division.

The minister advised Nigerians and youths especially, to continue to project what unite the nation, which he said were more, stressing that we are better off as one untied and indivisible nation.

Earlier, Mr Prince Miaphen, President of the group said it had endorsed Akume as the preferred candidate for the APC national chairmanship position.

He said the group took the decision to endorse Akume at its last Executive Council meeting held in Jos, Plateau because he stood out among other aspirants for the position.

“We are here today to tell you that the Midlebelt Youth Vanguard is adopting you as our candidate for APC national chairman 2021.

“Haven considered the characters and positions of all aspirants from the North-Central and other geo-political zones, we said it would be proper and most appropriate for us to zero-in on one person that will better represent us as a region.

“And the person that has the connection beyond the region, that can deliver for APC in the forthcoming 2023 general elections is Akume.

“It was glaring by further nominations and confirmations across virtually the entire North-Central zones, that we arrived at a consensus that not only should we adopt you, but to also canvas support for you,” he said.

He added that the group would embark on campaign, especially in the North and South regions to draw support for Akume to ensure that he became the APC next national chairman.

Maiphen described Akume as a hard-working and intelligent man with track records, who had passion for youth development.

He said as a bridge builder who is loved across different regions, it would be easier for Akume to mobilise support for the APC in the coming 2023 general election if given the mandate to be the party’s next national chairman.

“You are hard work personified, you have an irresistible charisma and aura, you are a man of fierce intelligence, a man of great character, intellectual mobility and above all, you are a bridge builder.

“We strongly believe that as a two term governor, a senator and now minister, your track records and achievements speaks for you. It is on record that your goodwill transcend beyond board.

“Having done well as a two terms governor, a senator and now one of the performing ministers, we strongly have the conviction that when given the opportunity you will take APC to the promised land,” he said

Maiphen, however, urged the APC leadership to zone the position of the party’s national chairman to the North-Central geo-political zones of the country for the sake of national cohesion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group also conferred its grand patron on Akume, following the recent death of former Senate President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, who until his death occupied that position.

The APC national convention is expected to hold before the end of 2021.(https://newsatlarge.ng)