Dr. Aondona Mkor
The search for who occupies the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has intensified with high caliber political juggernauts of the party jostling for the number one spot.
Indications are that the APC has zoned the chairmanship position to the North Central Geopolitical one of the country which is dominated by the party.
Interestingly the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Senator Dr. George Akume who held sway as the only elected Senator on the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria in the North Central Zone and became the minority leader in the Senate is a top contender.
The political profile of Senator Dr. George Akume makes him easily the best man to occupy the number one position of the ruling political party, the APC.
He was elected the Governor of the Benue State from 1999-2007 under the PDP and was also elected to the Senate in 2007 to 2011.
As Nigeria was trying to unbundle under the yoke of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP)he left to join the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN and contested under its platform to be elected as the Senator representing Benue North -West Senatorial District.
With the mega merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN)the All Nigeria People’s Party ANPP, and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)and other political parties coming together to form the All Progressive Congress(APC) Senator Dr. George Akume again contested under the APC for the Benue North -West Senatorial District which he won. He also delivered the governorship in Benue State and other National and State Assembly seats in Benue State to the APC.
He also worked hard as the Minority Leader in the National Assembly and one of the pillars/leaders of the opposition in the country to turn the tables for the All Progressive Congress (APC)in the country and most especially the North -Central zone.
Thus, the All Progressives Congress(APC) not only won the president, but hugely swept the country to become the ruling political party in 2015,with majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, and Nineteen governors out of the total of 28 that was elected at that time.
Having performed and achieved this incredible feat by changing the political equation in the North -Central Zone, it is therefore,politically expedient to shoulder him the leadership of the APC at this critical point in time when exemplary leadership is required for stability and sustainability of the cylinders of victory for 2023.
The clamor for the choice of Senator Dr. George Akume,FNIM is borne out of the fact of his vast experience both as an accomplished Civil Servant, having retired as a Permanent Secretary, his ability to manage people of diverse ethnic-religious and cultural backgrounds,his humility,accessibility and ability to carry everyone along, and to give them a sense of belonging and responsibility.
The various grassroots positions he held in early life which include Chairman of several Local Government Councils, a Director in the Federal Civil Service,amongst others have moulded him into an astute and high breed administrator and manager of human resources,institutions and material to the extent that the job of National Chairman of APC will only place him in a too familiar turf.
Indeed,as public servant who is certified as EFCC- free, there is every conviction that Senator Dr. George Akume,FNIM is a leader with proven integrity,trust and credibility.
Thus his coming into the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress(APC) will be a huge advantage to the party which will tap from his wealth of experience to heal wounds, get more converts and consolidate on the gains achieved by successive leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC)
SUPPORT SENATOR DR. GEORGE AKUME FOR NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS(APC)
Dr. Aondona Mkor writes as the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
