The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has stated that he prefers Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to be the ruling party’s next substantive National Chairman.
He made this announcement in a statement on Monday.
Al-Makura, Onjeh claimed in the statement, is a round peg in a round hole.
He went on to say that he is fully capable of leading the party at this pivotal moment.
Onjeh praised Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori as a capable leader and praised his appointment as the National Chairman in the interim.
But he emphasized that Senator Al-Makura is the most competent and worthy candidate if the party decides to bring the chairmanship back to the North Central area.
“Senator Tanko Al-Makura has established long-lasting friendships and political alliances throughout the nation’s various geopolitical zones. He has the depth of expertise and ability required to guide the APC at this crucial juncture, and he is highly regarded across the country,” Onjeh stated.
Onjeh, a former chairman of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) and a founding member of the now-defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), contended that the North Central, which was instrumental in the foundation of the APC, ought to be assigned the job for the sake of equity and inclusivity.
“With the President from the South-West and Vice President from the North-East, it is only fair that North Central takes the party’s top job,” he said.
He also pointed out that Al-Makura, a founding member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), is the only top contender in the last APC chairmanship race who has not been compensated with a political appointment or government position.
“Senator Abdullahi Adamu was made chairman, Senator George Akume is now SGF, but Senator Al-Makura has not been given anything.
“Despite that, he has remained loyal and committed to the APC and President Tinubu,” he added.
Onjeh further recalled how Al-Makura stood firm as the only CPC governor elected in 2011, during the height of PDP’s dominance, and resisted pressure to defect.
He said Al-Makura’s consistency and commitment helped lay the foundation for the APC’s eventual victory.
He said that, similar to how the APC chose President Tinubu as its 2027 presidential candidate, it should use a consensus-based selection process for the next chairman.
“Consensus lessens internal friction and fosters unity. “The best consensus candidate for the national chairmanship is Senator Al-Makura,” he stated.
In response to requests for a Christian chairman from the North Central, Onjeh brushed off religious passion and advised the party to prioritize loyalty and ability.
“Nigeria needs qualified and devoted leaders right now, not religiously motivated ones. “The best candidate for the position is Senator Al-Makura,” he declared.
In order to prevent internal strife and concentrate on grassroots mobilization in front of the 2027 elections, he urged the APC to move swiftly.
“Delays only run the risk of causing preventable divisions.” The moment has come for leadership that is inclusive, just, and resolute. That leader is Senator Tanko Al-Makura,” he continued.
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