A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Mr. Olofu Charles, has emphasized the need for all party stakeholders in the state to shun personal interests and form a formidable force that would pave the way for the APC to gain more members from opposition parties.
According to him, unnecessary political rancor could lead to infighting among members of the state, a situation that ought to be nipped in the bud as soon as it arises.
Making this call in a statement signed on Friday, Mr. Charles, whose statement was made available to the press in Kano—urged party elders and stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, reconcile all aggrieved members and encourage them to close ranks and foster unity.
He also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to emulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reconciliation efforts with aggrieved Lagos lawmakers by finding a lasting solution to the political crisis threatening the unity of party members in the state.
Additionally, he appealed to Senator Akume and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, to sit at a roundtable discussion and address any issues affecting the party’s progress. He warned that it would be political suicide to allow Governor Alia to defect from the ruling party.
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Mr. Charles, however, disclosed that Rev. Father Alia had dismissed rumors that he was planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and team up with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
He further noted that it would be politically unwise for APC elders to pretend that all is well within the party’s ranks. He emphasized that the delay in issuing letters of appointment for 12 River Basin authorities is allegedly causing serious friction between Governor Alia, the SGF, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.
According to him, it is alleged that each of them has their preferred candidates for the positions, which has resulted in the delay in issuing appointment letters—a situation that does not bode well for the party’s stability.
He also criticized the unnecessary transfer of aggression, which he claimed has denied over 70 innocent appointees of President Tinubu the opportunity to assume office, as they are yet to receive their appointment letters from the SGF’s office.
Mr. Charles then urged Senator Akume to, as a matter of urgency, order the immediate release of appointment letters to the 12 River Basin authorities appointees to prevent irreparable damage, stressing that these appointments played a crucial role in President Tinubu’s emergence.
Commenting on the recent departure of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Mr. Charles asserted that it would not negatively impact President Tinubu’s chances.
He maintained that, given the unfolding political scenario, no amount of mergers between politicians could threaten President Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election.
“When you talk about the possibility of a coalition wrestling power from the ruling party, I think you should also ask yourself a pertinent question—can they even agree among themselves?” he asked.
He added, “The major opposition parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), are seriously entangled in intense internal wrangling.”
According to him, looking at the names of politicians rumored to be planning a merger such as El-Rufai, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Major Al-Mustapha, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Peter Obi, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso—none pose a serious threat to President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
He questioned, “Does the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have the capacity to lead a coalition ahead of 2027?”
Charles further asked, “Who will fly the ticket? Is it Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi? Is it Nasir El-Rufai or Yemi Osinbajo? Is it Rotimi Amaechi or Bukola Saraki?” He noted that all these politicians have presidential ambitions and are unwilling to relinquish their interests for another.
He, therefore, argued that their conflicting ambitions would ultimately work in favor of President Tinubu, making his re-election in 2027 an easy ride.
“What will happen is that all of them will automatically divide the Arewa vote, the northern states’ votes causing them to lose out completely, while President Tinubu secures victory.”
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