BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ntung Ari, has declared that he has no interest to contest for any elective office during the forthcoming All Progressives Congress convention, or in the 2023 general elections.
Sir Ari said this declaration of stand is necessary following the printing and circulation of poor quality posters and banners bearing his name and image with the message ‘New Dimension: Joe Ari for Senate 2023’ by some people he described as “unscrupulous mischief makers”.
According to Sir Ari, since his appointment as the Director General and Chief Executive of the ITF, he has been committed to achieving the tall mandate of the Fund especially as conceived and set by its founding fathers, and to particularly work towards the ideals of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in terms of poverty reduction, jobs and wealth creation.
He therefore disclaimed and distanced himself from the campaign souvenirs and their sponsors, and called on all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard any poster, banner, or any communication whatsoever linking him with any political ambition or expression be of interest.
Sir Ari stressed that the plan of those who want to use this twist to pull him down is to flood and suffuse the venue of next Saturday’s APC convention with the sourvenirs to cause confusion and disaffection.
Similarly, the ITF DG explained that of the over 30 gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the APC in Plateau, all are his friends, adding that he has not in any way shown of expressed averment for one against the others.
Sir Ari pledged continuous loyalty to the government of President Buhari, saying that his leadership has been inspiring and impactful.
