…to strengthen party fortunes.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Lalong, has admonished members of the party in the State to remain resolute and work together towards strengthening the fortunes of the party.
Sen. Lalong, who has engaged the State EXCO of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and stakeholders in Jos, says the aim of the interaction is to rub minds with the stakeholders of the party with a view to sharing ideas and generating feedback for progress.
The meeting was met behind closed doors with State EXCO of the APC, led by its Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, APC Elders Advisory Council, former Commissioners, elected Local Government Chairmen, and former Transition Implementation Chairmen, where he thanked them for managing the party well and keeping its popularity rising, despite being in opposition.
He commended them for maintaining the structures of the party from the State, Local Government, Ward and Unit levels, which ensured the party’s impressive performance in the local government elections last year.
The APC leader also assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confidence in the party to sustain its support among the people and its capacity to return to power in the state and deliver at national elections, come 2027.
He informed them that the APC has remained a formidable force and continues to attract politicians from other parties, who are willing to join.
Senator Lalong acknowledged the concerns about appointments and said so far, the President has done so much for Plateau State and will do more in future appointments.
He said the interactions will generate some ideas and issues that will be discussed at the Caucus Meeting of the party when it holds.
Also speaking, Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Hon. Festus Fuanter, said the engagement was long overdue and provides the platform for looking inwards to ensure that the party remains united and cohesive.
Fuanter also assured that the party at the national is firmly behind the structure in Plateau State and will continue to give support to the Executive and members at all times.
Chairman of the party (Hon. Rufus Bature), commended Senator Lalong for his passion and commitment to ensuring that the party remains strong in the state.
He urged the leader to continue to rally round support for the party from both elected and appointed members of the party at the State and national levels.
Former Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang, equally seized the opportunity to appreciate Senator Lalong for leaving indelible footprints in Plateau State, which have become a nightmare for the PDP administration that continues to struggle to perform, despite huge resources accruing to the State much more than what the previous administration got.
He challenged the former appointees to be deliberate in pushing out the achievements of the APC administration under Lalong, which remain a benchmark.
Other remarks, from Amb Danladi Wuyep, Chairman APC Elders Advisory Council, Hon. Dan Manjang, Forum of Former Commissioners, Hon. Brian Dadi, former TIC Chairmen, elected Chairmen, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman, centred on the need to strengthen the party structures at all levels as well as maintain constant communication, which is crucial to sustaining unity.