APC Chairmanship Race: Why Sheriff Needs To Succeed Buni

A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Senior Political Adviser to former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Mustapha Gambo has said Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s vast political experience, network of friends and understanding of the intrigues of partisan politics are virtues “not available on sale over the counter.”

Gambo while ddressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, called on leaders, stakeholders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress to throw their weight of support behind Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in his quest to become national chairman of the party.

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He said having served in the senate twice and being the first Governor to be reelected in the State, Mr Sheriff’s legacies could not be wished away by mere condemnation. Gambo also noted that Senator Sheriff has in the past few months transverse many wards and Local Government areas across the Country to drum support for the ruling party, adding that former Governors in the party hitherto lukewarm to him have started pledging their support.

“The APC needs a stabilizing force and with due respect to all those reported to be nursing ambition to vie for the chairmanship of our party, none of them comes close to what His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff brings to be table. Apart from being the first governor to be elected twice as governor of Borno State; he was elected twice to the federal parliament as Senator representing Borno Senatorial District at different political epochs.

“He was chairman, Board of Trustees of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, one of the parties that later merged with others to form the APC. He became the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, owing primarily to his vast political appeal across board. Where are we likely to find a man like this, if one may ask?

“To the best of our knowledge, he (Sheriff) is the only one going round the Country, interfacing with members and leaders of the party at the grassroots level in preparation for this weekend’s Local Government congresses to be held nationwide,” he said.

“APC requires a man of vision, foresight and courage to take charge of party affairs at this critical time of our national life. What awaits us in 2023 is huge and with President Muhammadu Buhari out of the ballot for the first time in eight years, the party can’t afford to experiment with its national leadership. We need a man who can get things done, a leader loved by all and sundry, one who has a track record of performance,” he added.

It is uncertain whether the ruling party would zone the position of the national chairmanship to the North-east where Mr Sheriff had served as two-term Governor and represented his State, Borno, in the Senate more than once but the ruling party is expected to hold its national elective convention before the end of the year.

The former Governor, who led the All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) to the merger talks that culminated in the formation of the ruling APC in 2013, before he left for the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has shown interest in the position if zoned to the North-east.

InTv