Re: Al-Makura, Sen Adamu draw battle line

We write in response to the above story published in both your paper and online versions on Tuesday Sept. 18, 2018, wherein wrong representations were made against the person of our revered Senator Abdullahi Adamu. First, we acknowledge that Distinguished Sen Adamu representing Nasarawa West Senatorial district spoke last weekend in Keffi at a meeting […]

We write in response to the above story published in both your paper and online versions on Tuesday Sept. 18, 2018, wherein wrong representations were made against the person of our revered Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

First, we acknowledge that Distinguished Sen Adamu representing Nasarawa West Senatorial district spoke last weekend in Keffi at a meeting with ward and local government excos of the APC in his senatorial zone.

The meeting was of course, part of the activities leading to the forthcoming general elections. It must be clearly stated that the Senator is committed to nurturing due democratic process ahead the February elections.

It became a thing of surprise to us, the stakeholders of APC in Nasarawa State when a meeting that discussed democratic ethos would stir the governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura ensconced in Government House Lafia to wrought and pass scathing comments on the person of the highly respected lawmaker.

According to the report, Gov Almakura, while responding to remarks by Sen Adamu accused the latter of being afraid that he would lose his seat in the senate. What the senator said was that APC should do its primaries in free and fair manner. We therefore ask, when has doing primary election in free manner become being afraid?

Interestingly, the governor did not come out directly to speak. Hiding under his Director of Press and Strategic Communications, Yakubu Lamai, the governor said he had respected Sen Adamu enough and it was time to demystify Sen Adamu’s political credentials in Nasarawa State.

May we remind Gov Al-Makura that he will not be allowed to again cause our party to lose presidential election in Nasarawa State. APC lost presidential election in the state in 2015 without Al-Makura giving the party explanations. Now, the same Gov Al-Makura is playing the old card of imposition which will definitely unsettle our party.

Last week, Gov Al-Makura came to Abuja in tow with his already anointed candidate for the seat of governor in the person of Engr. Abdullahi Sule. When Sen Abdullahi questioned this act and insisted that all aspirants be given level playing field in the primary contest, Al-Makura picked offence.

We therefore, would like to reiterate that Sen. Adamu wants free and fair primary election. No imposition of candidate. The senator was governor for eight years and holds that post with reverence but the will of the people, not the will of a governor should prevail. Gov Al-Makura, choosing by himself who to succeed him amounts to mortgaging the future of our dear Nasarawa State.

Sen. Adamu will not lose an ounce of sleep because Gov. Al-Makura has sent the commissioner for education, Tijjani Ahmed Aliyu to enter the Nasarawa West Senatorial race.

What we are saying is Gov. Al-Makura should be more interested in his ambition of becoming senator rather than about Sen Adamu’s ambition. After all, he is in Nasarawa South zone. Sen. Adamu is in the West zone.

What really is Gov Al-Makura’s beef with Sen Adamu? Sen. Adamu was first to oppose the Senate President, Bukola Saraki. Saraki was recently in Lafia. Is it therefore, that Gov. Al-Makura has been swayed by Sen. Saraki to move against his arch political enemy?

Ahmed Abubakar Goringo, Coordinator, Nasarawa APC for Good Governance writes from Lafia.