APC National Chairmanship Position: Is Gov Sule Playing Double Game? 

“It is expected that now that the hand of the clock is ticking towards North Central Zone for the position, Governor Sule should look for a competent person from the zone to be the national chairman of APC”. 

BY DENIS ECHE AMALI 

On Friday evening, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who is also the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, was at the National secretariat of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

The visit according to a reliable source was to re-affirm his loyalty and support for the embattled National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje amidst a strong indication of his replacement by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

There is no contesting the fact that Governor Sule has the fundamental right to visit Ganduje as a party man but, the question here is why now?

An independent investigation revealed that just last week Governor Sule held a closed door meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

Akume, who is from neighbouring Benue state was also considered to be a likely replacement of the embattled national chairman of APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Before now, there are indications that the position of the national chairman will return to the North Central geopolitical zone which was considered shortchanged by the decision of the NEC that replaced the former national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu with Ganduje from the North-west geopolitical zone.

However, according to a reliable source, the meeting between Governor Sule and Akume was to galvanized support for the SGF to clinch the number one party position in his capacity as the chairman of North Central Governors forum.

It was further gathered that Governor Sule has firmly assured George Akume of his support to become the national chairman.

It is however astonishing to see Governor Sule at the national secretariat of APC where he also declared support and loyalty to Ganduje, the embattled national chairman ahead of the party’s NEC meeting scheduled to hold on September 9, 2024.

Wait a minute. One will be tempted to ask: is Governor Sule trying to be a Judah in the Bible or a messenger of doom? Is he playing a double game?

Is he speaking the minds of Governors of the North Central or is he trying to play smart? How comes he is rooting for the SGF to replace Ganduje and at the same time pledging loyalty to the same Ganduje? The case of a man with double face? I leave that for members of our party to judge.

There are strong indications that the presidency and major critical stakeholders of the governing APC are not comfortable with the way Ganduje is running the affairs of the party which popularity is fast declining day by day.

Aside corruption charges against the National Chairman, age and health related issues are strong factors against him which makes the power that be, want to replace Ganduje with a right man for the job from the North Central Zone.

Many pundits are of the opinion that the Nasarawa State Governor is supposed to be at forefront rallying support from his colleagues to ensure that the coveted seat is returned to Nasarawa State after the resignation of the former national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu from the state.

This is because Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s tenure was short lived. So, it is unfair to Nasarawa State not to be given the opportunity to replace him.

Now that there are strong indicators that President Tinubu is disposed to returning the position to the North central, Governor Abdullahi Sule is expected to be championing the cause and not to be seen doing otherwise.

I am tempted to believe the rumor that Governor Sule is not comfortable to have a national chairman from his state especially when there are clarion calls on Mr President to consider Nasarawa state so as to ensure the state completes the tenure of former Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu

Political analysts believe that the Nasarawa State Governor is confused judging from his words at the national secretariat. Is he trying to deny the APC family in Nasarawa State the opportunity to redeem the image of the party which suffered an embarrassing defeat during the last general elections?

It is expected that now that the hand of the clock is ticking towards North Central Zone for the position, Governor Sule should look for a competent person from the zone to be the national chairman of APC.

Pundits believe the North-central has so many competent persons for the job who, if given the opportunity, will redeem the party’s image considering their pedigree and antecedents. The zone has so many founding members of APC most of whom are loyalists of President Tinubu. So, why can’t Governor Sule galvanise support to see any of them clinch this coveted position?

Governor Sule should stop playing double standards capable of denying the North-central the opportunity to clinch the number one party position.

Governor Sule, we are watching. Nasarawa APC family is watching. The North-central geopolitical zone is watching.

This is my candid opinion as a concerned APC member.

…Dennis Amali lives in Wadata, Benue state