The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has asked Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, to leave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to actualise his political ambition of governing Abia State.
Abaribe has purchased the PDP gubernatorial nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2023 election but is cut in the Web of the party’s zoning policy.
The party had last month zoned the ticket to Abia Central and Abia North senatorial districts, given that his Abia South district had already taken its turn.
The event was a valedictory session to mark the exit of Adamu; Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari; and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Hassan Muhammad Nasiha.
On Abaribe’s governorship ambition, Adamu said: “Some of you are the best materials this country can have but you are in the wrong camp. It is in my heart of hearts…those of you who are willing to reach out to a higher pedestal, our hands are open and we are stretching the hands to you.
“I assure you, among you, there is the best governor Abia State ever had. Among you, there is a good governor to be, that is being denied. Come over. We are very humane, very fair; we play according to the rules of the game.
“I assure you that I will continue to cherish our relationship. I hope and pray that you will see the light and come over to APC.”
THE highpoint of the session came when the senators remembered the sobering political chess games in their home states, which powerful governors could swing against them, Guardian reports.
Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta) spoke the minds of his colleagues, noting: “The first test for you will be to protect those who are here. Not me, because we are not in the same political party.
“Everyone is in danger, one way or the other. Yesterday, (Tuesday), this place was very scanty because everyone is in danger. So, I will urge you, particularly the APC national chairman, as you go there, please, to protect those who are in danger.
“You know how it is done. Those of us, on this site, will be watching with keen interest. We know who you are. We know what you can do. Try your best for all of us.”
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) also spoke in the same vein, saying: “Now that we have people from here (Senate) as leaders of the party, you have the responsibility. It is not about us, it is about the Senate. It is not about Ndume being a senator from Southern Borno, but about protecting the position of the Senate.
“You know that the rate of turnover is very worrisome. It is not because the legislators are not performing. We need you, the chairman, to protect the institution. And this institution is made up of individuals with wealth of experience. Nigerians are expecting a lot from the institution.”
