By Kelechi Opara, in Abuja
As members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) get set for the national convention of the party, a group known as the Prince Simon Ali Support Organization on Monday purchased and presented the nomination form for the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda.
Director General of the group, Dr. Dominic Alancha addressing newsmen after the presentation said the idea was in solidarity with the party in its decision to zone the positions of the prospective members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to specific zones.
Alancha added that the group further took its decision to support Prof. Yilwatda who is also from the North Central, in recognition of his sterling leadership qualities since he assumed office about five months ago.
“You recall that some time ago, we addressed you where we were calling for the retaining of zoning formula as it is in the party, which invariably means that the national chairman position is domiciled in the North Central. As such, it should be retained. We did that because we believe that the National Chairman has the capacity, the competence to move this party forward to lead us into an upcoming election that victory will be guaranteed.
“We believe in his ability and that is why we did that in January. For us to again consolidate our words, we are here today to make payments for his form, to buy his nomination form, an expression of interest form, and I’m not doing that as an individual.
“We are doing that under the Prince Simon Ali Support Organisation. That is why I felt that it’s necessary because this is also my family. You are part of us for me to address you and to let you know that we didn’t just stop at calling for the retaining of zoning and endorsing the national chairman for continuity. We’ve gone a step further to ensure that we purchase his nomination form for him to continue”.
The group also thanked President Bola Tinubu for the adoption of the zoning formula, saying it has reduced the incidents of conflicts and confusion that are usually noticed during such elective congresses.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for ensuring that the zoning formula is retained in the North Central.To ensure that Professor Nantawe Yilwatda is returned as a national chairman in the upcoming convention. With what is happening in the party already, we believe that there’s going to be inclusions, there’s going to be a hitch-free national convention comes March 27th and 28th”.
The party chieftain who had earlier showed interest in contesting for the position of the Deputy National Publicity Secretary said he has rested his own ambition in respect of the position of the party which said should be supreme to the ambition of any individual member.
“Like I said, I’m a party man and I will not do what is against my party. The party has stated it very clearly that our current positions as they were should remain, I’m supposed to contest for the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, which is already in Kogi State and I’m from Benue State. And in fact, as I speak to you, Benue is left without any national position, NWC position. But that is the decision of the party. We cannot go against our party.
“So we are supportive of whatever the party will do to ensure unity, to ensure peaceful coexistence within the party and to ensure that the democratic space is not also shrink up for other persons who are interested”.
However, Alancha advised that the party should also give room to other people who have purchased their forms to contest, instead of the allegation that the party is refusing to make the forms available to those they consider as outsiders.
