By Prince Sekat,Jos
All Progressives Congress Strategic monitoring team in Plateau has thrown its weight behind the choice of the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, as the Director-General of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential campaign council.
Our correspondent reports that the APC national leadership recently picked the governor to lead the party’s 2023 presidential campaign programme
The coordinator of the group Golepji Wambutda who addressed journalists at a press conference in Jos , said Lalong remains the perfect fit for the position.
He added that ” We are in a critical moment of our political journey as a Country, State and people hence the dire need to contribute to the political discourse with the sole purpose of adding flesh to a framework that has from time immemorial served as the cornerstone of democracy.”
Golepji added that the APC Strategic Monitoring Team (APC-SMT) is a group of progressives across the 17 LGA of Plateau state that have come together to foster and drive through the tenets of progressives across the length and breadth of the State. Though a political group, we are devoid of excessive partisanship as we place a high premium on national interest, and the principles of justice. Our core value is to see to the promotion of germaine and pertinent principles that add to the advancement of our people in all ramifications.”
In his words ” The recent nominations of Presidential candidates by political parties most especially our party the APC has come and gone. “Although the recent nomination of running mates for the Presidential flag bearers across all political parties has brought Religion to the fore of our political discuss, The most prevalent concern among Christians over the Muslim Muslim ticket is not one to wish away by a wave of the hand.”
The group added that ” We are mindful of the genuine concerns being expressed by all well-meaning Nigerians. “
“However, we must realize that our challenges as a people go beyond religious considerations. No wonder other political parties have been allowed to escape from giving account for the departure from rotation which by our history has been the most legitimate standard for power sharing. “
“No wonder Governor Lalong who fought as a true nationalist is yet to receive his credit.”
The group also said that ” In any case, Governor Lalong as the DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council will ensure that such concern and more are addressed going forward.”
” We salute and support the decision of our party the All Progressives Congress and the flag bearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu the former Governor of Lagos state in appointing our Governor to serve as the campaign Director General of the Tinubu / Shettima organisation .
The group also added that Lalong’s selection provides the other leg of the tripod on which the much-yearned inclusion, fairness and equity are needed to stand.
” For most of us, a Presidential Campaign Director General is not just a mere appointment in the Campaign Council, rather it is in the heartbeat of the whole transition process and political negotiations that the foundation of a new Government is set after winning an election. “
The campaign DG as a most critical component of the transition process will promote the needed balance expected of a diverse entity like Nigeria including the concerns of faith.”
“Should he be vilified for his decision to accept the position of a DG Campaign? No! Not at all! Because it doesnt make sense for the whole field to be deserted and be left without a mark and effort to correct the anomaly. Also is the leadership or the quest for leadership going to end in 2023? What about getting involved to make a huge leap in the future?”
They also added that the appointment of the D.G did not come to us as a surprise because he has never lost any election and has led several successful elections around the Nation.
“It will undoubtedly be on record that he has achieved a great feat by fighting doggedly for the entrenchment of fairness that without any iota of doubt has ensured that the APC Presidential ticket moved to the Southern part of the country in a deliberate attempt to foster equity and Justice within the polity which strengthens National cohesion.”
In all fairness to His Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong, was he not instrumental as the Northern Governors Forum Chairman in
Insisting that Power must shift to the South? Was he not the only notable Christian Politician that supported a Christian candidate before the primaries? In all fairness who stood for a genuine Christian interest?
The person who had wanted and worked towards getting a Christian President or those who are now lamenting and not in any way trying to find a solution to the concerns?
The public knowledge that even when the Former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and former Speaker Yakubu Dogara got a chance to nominate a Christian running mate in the APC they rather allowed their ambition to
becloud their sense of judgement by deliberately omitting the most qualified Northern Christian politician (Rt. Hon. Dr Simon Bako Lalong) by all parameters from their supposed list.
Being a critical stakeholder, it will be of no purpose to abandon a movement that you are a key player to join another political struggle that you will just add up to a number and may not be able to negotiate anything for your state and people. Governor Lalong has taken the best step.
The group further stressed that is it not a thing of tremendous joy that the State is reaping the benefits of the National political participation and the relevance of Governor Lalong?
“The multiplier effect that spurs socioeconomic activities in terms of job creation will come with the establishment of many Federal Government institutions like:
The National Orthopedic Hospital
The Federal Medical Centre Wase
Jos Campus of the Nigerian Law School
The Cancer Treatment Centre in JUTH
The Federal University of Education Pankshin
The Federal Polytechnic Nyak Shendam etc.
We have not gotten it good for a long time like now in terms of appointments for the headship of the Federal Agencies, for example, places like the ITF, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, the National Commission for persons living with disability, the Statistician General of the Federation, of blessed memory and many more.
Is the future not politically bright for the state with his increasing deep involvement?
It is in this premise that we are standing in solidarity with him and not only wishing him well in the assignment but expressing our readiness to support him to deliver. It is our sincere hope and belief that, this is the best deal for our people and our state. It is better to remain inside to correct the anomaly than to stand on the sideline and complain.
Permit me to ask this rhetorical question, what is the relevance of our political biases on the question of religion considering the geo-political configuration of the Country and the one man one vote factor being that we are in a democracy?
The ethno-religious bigots in Nigeria from both the Christian and the Muslim faith must note that we are not going into a religious war in 2023 and or attempt to drag us into a religious census rather than a general election thereby advancing an argument on our secularism as the Nigerian Constitution dictates. We seek an improved economy, quality of life, health care, jobs and an end to insecurity. May we not be torn apart but united by the issues we cherish and may God take the lead.
The group who congratulated Gov Lalong for his appointment as DG of the Tinubu /Sheitima campaign organisation reiterated their unalloyed support to ensure he achieves this National assignment.
They also called on the people of the state to support the Governor at all times .
Freelance Reporters 