George Okoh in Makurdi
Members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have been advised to allow the party’s National Caretaker Committee, which is led by the Governor of Yobe State, Mr. Mai Mala-Buni, to handle the upcoming national convention.
The call was made by the Former Deputy Governor of Benue State and an Aspirant for the 2023 APC Governorship Primaries, Mr. Steven Lawani.
Lawani gave the advice in Makurdi yesterday following a call by Concerned Stakeholders of the party for the dissolution of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee of the party.
He noted that the Buni caretaker committee has started the job of organising the convention, which began from the ward level to the state, and asked the he should be allowed to finish the process.
He was concerned that “Bringing in new people for the same process that have started may prolong the date of the convention.
“The party is just waiting for the President to assent for a date and the convention will be held for the party new executive team to emerge. So why waste the time by asking for change of guard.”
He denied any rift within the party and called for the concerned stakeholder to look at ways to foster stronger synergy amongst party members.
He also said that President Muhammadu Buhari has done very well in the areas of infrastructural development, education and health care delivering.
The former deputy governor said that most of what the president is doing now would not be appreciated till after his tenure.
“Look for instance the road dualisation from Abuja to Makurdi, Ankpa, Otukpo to Gwer East and Makurdi to Gboko to Buruku are ongoing by the federal government. Also the president has established three higher institutions in Benue State within a short time including the University of Health Sciences in Otukpo that just matriculated its students,” he said.
He also said that he had had the privilege of serving the state as deputy governor in the past and traversed the state and knew the problems and expectations of the people of the state, adding that he is in the best position to provide what the people of the state needs.
He said: “We did a lot when I was deputy governor but issues of insecurity has affected the states but we will proffer solutions to it.
“Finance is an issue all states are facing and we will have a better approach to generate IGR for the state and based on my experience I will bring a better solution to governance.”
He also disclosed that he is not aggrieved with the last congress of the party in Benue State, which he participated fully.
“I don’t have any problem with who became chairman. I am in APC for good and I don’t have any plan to leave,” he said.
