Al-Makura declares support for ex-IG ahead of Nasarawa APC governorship primaries

The immediate-past Governor of Nasarawa State and North-Central Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has declared his full support for the governorship ambition of a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

Al-Makura, who is the incumbent Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board, announced his support for Adamu on Sunday at the Emir’s Palace in Lafia, the state capital, during the grand finale of consultative visits to various traditional rulers’ palaces in the state by the campaign council of the ex-IGP.

Speaking at the event, the former governor noted that he decided to support Adamu because, among other aspirants, he possesses the leadership skills to govern Nasarawa State and ensure its .

According to Al-Makura, the grand finale of the traditional visits was held at the Lafia Palace because it is the base of the ex-IGP, Adamu, as a son and indigene of the local government area.

“It is not a courtesy; it is an obligation for the son, after having seen virtually every leader, every emirate, every chief, every royalty, to come back home as the grand finale to brief his father about the successes and gains he has had in the entire campaign, especially now that it remains just about three days before the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

“The visit is to seek royal blessings, royal guidance and royal support from his father and father of the land. Therefore, we are before you today in the congregation of supporters and admirers of IGP Adamu, to pay what I call a special courtesy, different from all other courtesies paid in various palaces,” he said.

Al-Makura expressed confidence in Adamu emerging victorious during the forthcoming APC governorship primaries in the state, noting that, as far as he is concerned, the former IGP possesses great leadership skills to take Nasarawa State to greater heights.

“So, we want to assure you that we are happy that the exercise has come in line with what every lover of democracy would want: not endorsement, not consensus, not preferential treatment, but the people must vote and their votes must count.

“Your royal majesty, we assure you that you will be proud of IGP Adamu. You will be proud of all the people doing his campaign, because we will do it in consonance with best practices and the provisions of the law guiding this exercise. Finally, we assure you that, by the special grace of God, we are going to come out in flying colours,” Al-Makura said.

The former governor further expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the APC leadership for endorsing the direct primaries mode for the party’s primary elections in the state, noting that the decision has returned power to the people.

“We also express our happiness that Mr President and the party have endorsed direct primaries, which is the endorsement of the people. This has put a lie to anybody who would endorse anyone for whatever purpose. The mandate to choose is now with the people,” he added.

In his remarks, the governorship aspirant and former IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, expressed gratitude to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), for receiving him and his campaign organisation at the palace for the grand finale of the traditional rulers’ palaces tour.

He said he came to the Lafia palace to seek royal blessings before commencing the governorship race and would continue to update the Emir on developments concerning his ambition to govern the state.

“I came to you for blessings, I came to you for prayers, I came to you to show us direction. And you advised that we should not be distracted; you are fully behind us, the emirate is fully behind us, Lafia people are behind us. We should go and seek support from other places.

“That whether other people support us or not, the moment we get support from the masses, we are good to go. We have taken that advice and gone around the state to meet the masses, and we have received acceptance from them,” he said.

According to Adamu, despite interests from higher quarters within the state, which led to divisions within the party, he has not allowed that to distract his ambition.

The former IGP further assured that he and his team would remain peaceful and continue to follow the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission throughout the electioneering process.

Responding, the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), wished the ex-IGP’s campaign organisation well in the governorship race, while advising that, regardless of the outcome of the APC primaries, the team should ensure that law and order is maintained in the state.(Punch)