The North-Central Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has thrown his weight behind the governorship aspiration of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.
The former IGP is a frontline contender for the APC ticket and a staunch ally of the former governor.
Speaking during the visit of the former IGP’s campaign team to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (Rtd.), in Lafia ahead of the governorship primary, Al-Makura openly canvassed support for the former police boss.
The former senator representing Nasarawa South was emphatic that IGP Adamu would triumph in the primary, considering the level of grassroots support he had garnered during his consultations.
“Your Royal Majesty, we assure you that you will be proud of IGP Adamu. You will also be proud of all the people handling his campaign because we will conduct it in line with best practices and the provisions of the law guiding this exercise. Finally, we want to assure you that, by the special grace of God, we are going to come out in flying colours,” he stated.
He said IGP Adamu is the candidate to beat, having worked hard for the position through grassroots mobilisation.
Al-Makura called on those in charge of conducting the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries to ensure that all processes conform with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
He warned that any mode outside the direct primaries already endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national secretariat of the party would not be acceptable in Nasarawa State.
Al-Makura said the President’s and the party’s decision amounted to an endorsement of the people’s will, stressing that the decision supersedes any contrary action by individuals.
“This has drawn the line against anyone endorsing anybody for whatever purpose. The endorsement and the mandate to endorse belong to the people.
“No consensus, no preferential treatment. The people must vote, and their votes must count,” he declared.
Speaking earlier, the former IGP appreciated the Lafia Emirate and its people for the support he had enjoyed during his consultations and tours across the state.
He specifically thanked the Emir for his advice and guidance, without which, he said, the outing would not have been successful.
“When we started this journey, I came to you for blessings, prayers, and direction. You advised us not to be distracted. You assured us that the emirate and the people of Lafia were fully behind us, and encouraged us to seek support from other parts of the state.
“Whether other people support us or not, once we have the support of the masses, we are good to go. We took that advice and went around the state, where we received acceptance from the masses.”
He said he remained focused and undistracted despite what he described as “desperate interests from higher quarters” within the state trying to create chaos that led to “division within the party,” while assuring supporters that he would emerge victorious at the end of the exercise.
“We are very appreciative of the support we have received so far, and we believe victory is ours. We shall return here after the primaries on Thursday with the good news that we have succeeded,” he stated.
Responding, the Emir thanked the team for the visit and urged them to conduct their affairs peacefully and harmoniously.
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