APC Convention: Al-Makura insists on election

Tanko Al-Makura, one of the leading All progressives Congress chairmanship aspirants, has called for a level playing field at the national convention of the party despite the consensus agreement reached between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governors.

The Director-General of Al-Makura campaign organisation, Comrade Dominic Alancha argued that the call was in line with Article 82, section 3 of the Electoral Act.

Reacting to the decision of the party leadership to adopt the consensus option at the convention, Al-Makura maintained that it would be in the best interest of the party if occupants of APC seats were freely chosen by delegates from across the country during the national convention of the party.

Al-Makura said as far as he is concerned, the issue as to whether President Muhammadu Buhari has a preferred candidate for the chairmanship position of the party still falls within the realm of speculation.

Another chairmanship aspirant, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, said as a core party man, who subscribed to the principles of loyalty, he would abide by any decision taken by the leadership and stakeholders in the interest of everyone in our party.

The Guardian observed heavy presence of security personnel in the campaign office of Al-Makura, who is believed to be favoured by a section of the APC governors that met with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

A source said, “The truth is that the race is open. This explains why all the aspirants, excluding Senator Ali Modu Sherrif went ahead to pick the chairmanship form to contest. Though it is too early to say who the President would stick out his neck for, the truth is that the governors have the final say since they control the party structure.”

NOT less than four aspirants have obtained forms to vie for the post of national secretary, five for the position of National Vice-Chairman and five for national youth leader ahead of the Saturday national convention of the ruling APC from the Southwest.

This is an indication that the zone, despite all entreaties may not agree on consensus to determine who gets what position in line with the party’s zoning arrangement.

A glance at the final list of contestants made available to The Guardian, for various positions zoned to the area, particularly national secretary, national vice chairman and national youth leader, shows that the much orchestrated consensus arrangement have been completely jettisoned by Southwest leaders.

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For the position of National Secretary, it was said that the five governors in agreement with the National Leader, Bola Tinubu agreed to support former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore (Osun) but a former Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu and Prof Olaiya Abeedi Olaitan both from Oyo, have obtained the nomination form and also have been cleared by the party to contest.

Also, listed by the party to run for the post of national secretary on the list is the Executive Director (Engineering & Technical Services) at Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Engineer Ifeoluwa Oyedele from Ondo State.

It was gathered that Oyelede’s aspiration has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, as against the consensus reached by the Southwest governors and Tinubu to back Omisore.

Apparently, the zone will go to the convention on Saturday definitely divided on who to emerge as national secretary.