Chairmanship Tussle: Gov Sule’s denial of endorsing Ganduje welcome development – APC forum

The North Central All Progressives Congress, APC Forum has described the denial by the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule of endorsing or supporting the embattled National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, as a welcome development.

Governor Sule had last week visited Ganduje at the national Secretariat of the party in Abuja where he canvassed support for him.

But according to the North Central APC forum, Governor Sule’s action was an act of betrayal which they rejected, considering that the region has been pushing for the position of the National Chairman, as is the arrangement of the party, noting that the cause of the region cannot be traded for the interest of any individual.

The forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, who addressed newsmen on the issue penultimate week, stressed that the visit by Sule to Ganduje in Abuja to pledge his support for Ganduje was uncalled for, saying it is an act of sacrificing the goal of the entirety of the people for selfish reasons.

But in a swift reaction, Governor Sule clarified that his visit to Ganduje was not to endorse or canvass support for him but to discuss issues relating to the party, particularly the upcoming Edo State election as well as how to resolve the crisis in Benue APC.

Governor Sule who spoke through his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Kassim Muh’d Kassim, said a visit to the national secretariat of the party does not amount to an endorsement of Ganduje and that Sule paid the visit on a special invitation by Ganduje.

Reacting to the denial of endorsing Ganduje by Sule, Zazzaga told journalists on Thursday in Jos the Plateau State Capital, that, “the denial could be an after-thought by the governor after the expression of the displeasure by the people and the backlash from stakeholders and party chieftains, as well as members from the North-Central region.

Zazzaga who was also a member of the Presidential Campaign Council in the last election further said, “whether or not the denial was due to pressure or that he was speaking from both sides of the mouth, it is still a welcome development since he has already understood that the united goal of a region is more than any interest of a single individual.

He commended the rest of the North Central governors, legislators and other party bigwigs who have remained committed to the cause of the region regarding the position of the National Chairmanship of the party, saying that they will not be deterred by anything or any betrayers from the cause.

He wished the party a successful NEC and caucus meeting coming up on the 11th – 12th of September, saying that the meeting will provide the avenue to resolve many contending issues and move the party forward.