Anthony Iwuoma
Sen. Tanko Al-Makura has insisted that he was still in the race for the chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), regardless of the endorsement of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.
Both Al-Makura and Abdullahi are former governors of Nasarawa State.
Sen. Al-Makura had, on Sunday, told journalists, in Abuja, that he was not convinced of Sen. Abdullahi’s reported endorsement by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a ‘mere speculation’.
According to Sen. Al-Makura, “The sources of information were not authentic. They were not genuine. And I know what Mr. President stands for. He always stands for what is right and due process.
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“And unless I have an authoritative source of information that is clear, I still have my doubts.
“I have many avenues through which I can reach Mr. President and people around him,” the former governor, who currently represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said.
“And since those speculations did not come through those avenues, I consider them as a speculation.
“That is why as I speak with you, my campaign is going with a different tempo, to ensure that my campaign is going far and wide to await the next line of action as directed by the party leadership.”
He said he was not bothered about likely negative reports by security and the anti-graft agencies on his activities in office if he continues his quest defiance of the president.
Sen. Al-Makura continued, “I discharged my responsibility as governor to the best of my ability, and as I speak, there’s no single petition against me, or any case that has to do with my propriety or otherwise.”
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Following the reported insistence of President Buhari on the candidature of Sen. Abdullahi despite efforts by party chieftains to dissuade him, other chairmanship aspirants have quietly withdrawn from the race but Sen. Al-Makura said it would be a disservice to the party if he follows suit.
He argued that the party needed someone like him, who understands the feelings of the different groups that joined forces to form the APC.
The choice of who becomes the national chairman of the party has become contentious, as the APC struggles to rein in its feuding and aggrieved members and court decisions that are threatening its national convention slated for March 26, 2022.