- As Opinion Poll Rates Him Higher Over other Contestants for APC Plum Job
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
As the hands of the clock thicken, the day to the All Progressives Congress, APC’s National Convention drawing closer, the process is also at the top gear to the big exercise that will usher in the new National executive of the party, revelations have been coming out from far and near, garnering support for the most experienced candidate in party administration, the Turaki of Ilorin, Malam Saliu Mustapha.
A long-standing friend of the Turaki of Ilorin and APC party Chieftain from Ebonyi State, Comrade Nonso Nkem has made a strong revelation about the potential National Chairman of the APC. he revealed that, the role Mallam Saliu Mustapha played in selling President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerian right from the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC to APC and to Nigerians in general in 2015. saying, “It is not small.”
According to Comrade Nkem, “I’m a huge fan of his progressive ideologies and style he is a big inspiration to me!” These were the exact words of an APC stalwart in reaction to the rising popularity of APC frontline national chairmanship aspirant, Mallam Mustapha.
Nkem said, “Saliu Mustapha is a political icon who inspires a deep emotional connection with his fans across Nigeria. As a philanthropist, an administrator, a humanitarian and a political strategist he occupies a rare place in the hearts of thousands of admirers nationwide.”
The All Progressive Congress, APC would be conducting its national congress less than 60 days from today and party members are enthusiastic about who emerges as their next national chairman.
An Afikpo North LG born politician gives undisputable reasons why he thinks the Turaki of Ilorin would make a good national chairman for his party, Nkem who consistently referred to Saliu as a friend of the masses said, “The APC national congress would birth a new dawn for Nigerians.”
He confessed that, “I am yet to find the words to describe the overwhelming sense of satisfaction seeing a perfect gentleman like Saliu Mustapha coming forward to seek for the national chairmanship position of our party which happens to be the biggest party in Africa.”
He added that, “With tears in my eyes, and joy in my heart, I have finally seen an aspirant that can turn the fortunes of our party around to the greater benefit of Nigerians.
“I have appreciated Saliu Mustapha from his days at the CPC and the role he played in selling Buhari to Nigerians; I was among the few that were mocked for believing in his ideologies but thank God today he is the subject of discussion in our great party.
“Knowing-fully-well that we have found a man who is sincerely set to reposition our party in line with the progressive ideologies of its founders fills me with so much delight, I am indeed glad to be associated with the coming national congress of the APC.
“Eloquent, intelligent, smart, tenacious, disciplined and with a perfect leadership experience, Saliu Mustapha is a man for the people. He said.
According to Nkem, “Nigerians would be shocked how this coming national congress of the APC would see the birth of a new dawn for the good of Nigerians.”
In a related development, an opinion poll has equally puts Mallam Saliu Mustapha over and above the ex-govs and others candidates gunning for APC National Chairmanship.
An opinion poll that was powered by an Independent Electoral Monitoring Group, IEMG ranks The Turaki of Ilorin as most likely to emerge as the next national chairman of the ruling party.
The opinion polls was conducted through Whatsapp messages, SMS, telephone calls and other online poll maker, 2500 APC members responded with 65% throwing their support for Mallam Saliu’s candidacy ahead of other contestants.
The questionnaire that extracted the responses was direct to the point, ” Who do you think would emerge as the next APC National Chairman?’
- Tanko Al-Makura
- Abdullahi Adamu
- George Akume
- Saliu Mustapha
- Abdulaziz Yari
- Ali Modu Sheriff
- Mohammed Sani Musa
- Danjuma Goje.
Speaking on behalf of the IEMG, the head of information for the group, Barr. Babatunde Sobowale said, Saliu Mustapha scored 65% ahead of other frontline aspirants who shared the remaining 35% among themselves.
However, Sobowale did not give a breakdown of the percentage. The majority of the aspirants are former governors.
Saliu of Ilorin is at home and comfortable with the majority of the party stakeholders.
According to him, “Today’s poll is also the first independent poll conducted for a party national chairmanship position.”
Speaking on the outcome of the poll, an APC stakeholder from Zamfara state, Malam Yusuf Abubakar Tsafe stated that, “This polling reflects the fact that more and more people are joining and supporting the Saliu Mustapha train that is set to rebrand our party for better efficiency and productivity, according to Tsafe, “he seems to be the only aspirant putting forward a proper plan for the development of our party and the country at large.”
In October APC members would be voting on a string of issues that would determine who emerges as their party’s national chairman, the criterion to be considered are integrity, experience, commitment, dedication, party loyalty, temperament and the ability to carry all members along.