APC group decries marginalisation, takes case to Buhari’s minister

Presidential Support Group (PSC) a support wing of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) North Central zone has paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume in office in Abuja.

The support group which was led by by Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, the Zonal Coordinator decried the marginalisation of the members, while he recalled how they worked hard for the party.

Going down the memory lane, he said the group was established and facilitated by Hon Gideon Samani, the then Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters. and that its National Coordinator is Chief Godswill Akpabio.

He talked of the mobilization of the electorate across the length and breadth of Nigeria, ahead of the 2019 general elections, in which APC won at the presidential level and 5 states lgovernorship it won out of 6 states in the zone.

Alhaji Aminu said that members of PSC have continued to engage in post election mobilization and effective coordination of the members of the party (APC) in various forms to ensure active participation in the affairs of the party in the zone.

Also, he stated that, the PSC has mobilized her members and new persons to participate in the ongoing re-validation of its members and registration of new members that is going on at the moment.

He made a passionate appeal, saying that their membership which spread across the States are already crying of marginalization and being forgotten within the APC fold.

He was speaking for members across the states when he requested for the following: A Zonal office in Abuja. Imploring the governors of each state in the North Central, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Kwara States, and urging him to take responsibility for the political structure in Benue State by given her membership sense of belonging.

Assist members to access opportunity at the disposal of the Federal Government, Ministries, Department and Agencies.

The leadership of PSC is burdened by the fact that her foot soldiers deployed during elections are licking their wound for not having the leeway in benefitting from many laudable programmes of the Federal Government led by All Progressive Congress (APC).

Also speaking Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo reminded Senator Akume that when he came to Idah as the Sole Administrator (Chairman) of the Local Government in the old Benue State, just when he left the position of Supervisory councillor, Education and Vice-Chairman, Idah LGA to Dr Stephen Makoji Achema of blessed memory, he eulogies George Akume on his career path as a technocrat in the Benue State Civil Service who served as a Permanent Secretary in Benue State, Local Government Chairman. Executive Governor, Senator and now the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

He said in advanced democracies, the office of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs is considered one of the most viable politically and in relationship management and as such, one of the most active ministry.

Senator Akume on his part went down memory lane, when he talked of his father’s contribution to United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) led by Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka and how his father never knew he was sowing a seed in him (George) who eventually emerged as a political leader among his people (state and larger Nigeria state).

He however, said their own will not be prolonged in terms of benefit from politicking which they have given so much time to.

He promised to make the issue of PSC a priority in the zone and acknowledged the fact that he is abreast with PSC support and mobilization drive for the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Senator Akume further said, that the APC Federal Government has lived up to its promises in ways that are evident in the fight against Boko Haram, he said that Abuja, Kano, Plateau States and the entire North East were not safe prior to when APC took over the leadership of this country in 2015.

About 23 LGA or more were under the effective control of Boko Haram terrorists. Akume harped on the fact that there were programmes designed to meet the welfare of Nigerians in the various social investment programmes, like conditional cash transfer, trader minor etc.

He said that, despite the situation along the way there was economic downturn like the inflation of 2016 which the government exited due to her sound economic policies in 2017-2018 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 that has affected the economy negatively.

He promised that APC led administration will finish strongly due to reforms that it has carried out to fight corruption in different sectors of governance processes and the renewed security campaign against banditry, kidnapping and violent conflicts.

Senator George promised that PSC is a partner in progress that must be carried along and that the group should look forward to that. He urged them to mobilize new members to register as members of the party (APC).