As part of the preparations for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Campaigns scheduled to hold in Jos, Plateau State on November 15, 2022, Governor Simon Bako Lalong, who is also the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council has inaugurated a 40-man Local Organising Committee to make proper arrangements for the successful hosting of the event.
While inaugurating the Committee headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase in Jos, Governor Lalong said Plateau State is not new to hosting this kind of event and indeed has a very excellent record of hosting Presidential Campaigns and party primaries that produced Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other eminent leaders.
Governor Lalong said because this is the first time that the APC is hosting such an event, the Committee is expected to put in everything possible to make the event successful and historic.
He said; “This flag off of the APC Presidential Campaign is holding under my watch as the Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council. It is a great privilege and a golden opportunity for us to demonstrate that Plateau is a dominant force in APC and will set the pace for the victory of our presidential candidate and others.
“You have therefore been drafted into this Local Organising Committee to ensure that the groundwork is laid for the successful hosting of this very important event. Your selection is based on your capacity, loyalty, track record of service to the party, and commitment to the success of the Rescue Administration,” he said.
Lalong also said he had no doubt that with the calibre of persons in the Committee, they are going to put in their best to ensure that the State shows the APC that the choice of Plateau State as the flag-off venue and the appointment of the Governor as DG of the Presidential Campaign Council is not a mistake.
In his words; “I charge you to do everything possible to ensure that we have a very colourful, safe, secure, and memorable flag off. We are expecting high calibre guests starting from PCC Chairman, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, our National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, all APC Governors, National Assembly members as well as other distinguished leaders of our party from all over the country,” he said.
Lalong also tasked them to ensure that supporters are mobilised from all the 17 Local Governments to welcome guests with the highest form of hospitality, culture, and other attractions and demonstrate to the Presidential Candidate that APC is rooted in Plateau State and his victory is guaranteed as well as that of gubernatorial candidates and other contestants.
Responding on behalf of the Committee members, the Chairman Hon. Idris Wase said they will hit the ground running to ensure the assignment is carried out effectively, saying that Plateau is the home of APC and this will be demonstrated during the flag-off.
Wase assured that the committee will not disappoint the Governor, the party, and the people of the State.
In his own remarks, the APC Chairman for Plateau State, Hon. Rufus Bature charged the members to put in their best and make sure the flag-off becomes the pace-setter for the party’s success at all levels of the elections.
Members of the committee include the Deputy Governor of Plateau State Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, who is the Co-Chairman while the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu is the Secretary of the Committee.
Other members of the Committee are the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Plateau state, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, who is the Presidential Campaign Council Coordinator in Plateau State and will also serve as Deputy Chairman of the LOC with the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Sanda and APC Chairman Hon. Rufus Bature as members.
Others include; Hon. Yusufu Gagdi, Member Representing Pankshin/ Kanam/ Kanke and Alohonsus Longap Komsol, Member Representing Shendam/Qua’an Pan/Mikang, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and some members of the State Working Committee of the APC Plateau State Chapter.
A statement by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Lalong, said the 40-man Committee also has three elders from the three Senatorial Districts of the state, Local Government Chairmen, and a representative of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) among others.
