The George Akume Campaign Organisation says it is almost certain that Sen.George Akume, the Minister of Special Duties, will emerge as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 26 Convention of the party.
Chief Ray Morphy, the Co-ordinator South of the organisation said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Morphy said that the zoning of the position to the North-Central by the party was a big advantage to Akume, who hailed from the zone.
He said that some members of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) have also declared their support for Akume.
“Some of these include Mr. Sadiq Fakai from North-West, Zonal Youth Leader, Mr. Adamu Abubakar from North-East and Mr. Terver Aginde from North-Central.
“The support coming from some NEC members and supporters of two other major contenders who have been zoned out of the race, however, soared the minister’s chances of emerging as the next APC national chairman,” he said.
He said the supporters' groups included the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff Nationalist Movement and Malam Isa Yuguda Support Organisation.
Murphy said the groups at the end of their meeting unanimously agreed to join forces with Coalition of North-East APC Groups to mobilise support for Akume to ensure his emergence as APC national chairman.
This he said was because the party had zoned the position to the North Central.
“The communique by the groups at the end of the meeting was signed by Malam Ayuba Hassan, Convener, Coalition of North-East APC Groups and Alhaji Yusuf Grema, Coordinator, Ali Modu Sherrif Nationalist Movement,” he said.He said Hajiya Murja Musa, Women Leader, Yuguda Support Organisations also signed the communique.
According to him, the group plans to hold a mega solidarity rally for Akume for APC national chairman in Maiduguri and Abuja on Wednesday, March 16. He said the groups would consequently move to the National Assembly to appeal to the National Assembly APC caucus to endorse Akume’s candidacy.
Morphy said Akume deserved to be APC national chairman because of his calm disposition, saying that he was focused and had distinguished himself in all areas.
“Akume will bring his extensive experience and competencies to bear on the job, by thinking and acting outside the box in prioritising, tackling, and solving APC’s myriad of problems
“He is well placed to achieve these goals, having been two-term elected Governor of Benue and three-term senator.
“Within the period, he served as Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senate Minority Leader, and a Minister of the Federal Republic among others.
“Akume will deploy his public relations skills to effectively engage and collaborate with all shades of stakeholders to achieve sustainable reconciliation and peace by being firm but fair to all,” he said.
He expressed optimism that Akume would devise credible ways and means to create space for youths and encourage them to participate meaningfully in the political arena both in terms of elective and appointive offices at federal, state, and local government levels.
“He will also promote a robust social media communication scheme to feel the pulse of Nigerians, especially youths, and encourage the respective APC government to appropriately act on key issues raised.
“Akume will passionately see to the faithful implementation of APC’s manifesto,” Morphy stressed.
