Vice President Osinbajo Consults APC Benue State Executives, Stakeholders
By Prosper Okoye
As the date to the 2023 All Progressive Congress (APC) primary elections draws near, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has on Monday, consulted with the APC executives, delegates, and other party stakeholders in Benue state.
Speaking during the consultation visit in Makurdi, the Vice President who was represented by his legal associate, Barrister Irukera Babatunde, urged the Benue state APC stakeholders to create an enduring partnership with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo that would be both beneficial to the people, and achieve his aspiration to lead the country as president in 2023.
Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo representative Barrister Irukera Babatunde in a handshake with Benue state APC stakeholders.
According to him: “the Vice president has said he does not want to do a transaction with the Benue State delegates, because it is a brief situation where everyone gets what he wants and goes his or her separate ways. But he wants to create a partnership that will begin today and continue for a life time.
“He says, ‘the people should choose me, not the other way round.’ The Vice President believe that a partnership with the delegates is the best way to achieving national development; because the delegates are the conscience of the people, and by working with them, can development get to the people.” He said.
Prof. Osinbajo while paying respect to the leader of the party in Benue State and the North Central areas of Nigeria, Senator George Akume, says, “it is a thing of pride to have him as a leader for his selfless and examplary style of leadership.”
“Despite the conflicts and battles in the party, his leadership has brought cohesion and the party is standing strong.” He noted.
Benue State APC Chairman, Comrade Augustine Agada, while appreciating and briefing the vice president on the progress of the party in Benue State, assured him that the people are in support of his aspiration to become president in 2023.
He alleged that the reason Gov. Samuel Ortom, who the party made governor in 2015 defected to the PDP, was because the APC members questioned his bad governmental policies, and demanded that he become more accountable to the people.
Comr. Augustine further added that, Benue State is truly an APC State, and promised, that the party members would return her to the “progressive family in 2023.”
Also Responding was the former House of Assembly member, Terkimbi Ikyange, who reiterated that the people of the state are willing to go with Prof. Osinbajo as partners to where ever he wants to go.
“President Osinbajo has earned our respect and loyalty, being the first aspirant to visit the state,” Benue state House of Assembly Minority leader, Hon Ben Mngutyo says.
He said that the courtship which the vice president has extended to the people, indicated that he has the interest of the Benue people at heart.
Hon. Ben pointed at the eloquence, character, charisma, intellect, and goodwill of Prof. Osinbajo, which he says, “makes him the best aspirant for the job of president..”
He further encouraged him to continue with his consultations.
Former Chairman of Gboko LGA, Hon Becky Orpin, while speaking on behalf of the APC women in the state, decried women marginalization in political office appointments, even though they are active participants in the political process.
She alleged that most developmental programs that was provided for the women in the state through the office of the Vice President, has been hijacked by the PDP.
She further appealed to the vice president, while pledging the women’s allegiance to his course, to use the little time in his office to change the misfortunes of the women in Benue state.
“We the APC women in Benue State with one voice are saying that the next president of Nigeria should be Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.” The woman leader remarked.
Prince Simeon Aondoana, the father in-law of governor Samuel Ortom, said the Buhari led administration through the help of Vice president Yemi Osibanjo has achieved alot of projects in Nigeria that has never been recorded in her history.
He assured the vice president that the people would vote for him, and prayed that the APC should win all the elections in the to ensure that the development in the country continues.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Dr. Sam Ode, commended the character of Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, stating that: “we have heard stories of aspirants, and the vice president’s story depicts that of a man who is fiercely loyal.”
“The vice president joined president Buhari to declare his assets to the public after winning election.
“He remains a humble man despite his endowments. We believe and pray that the transition from president Buhari to Osinbajo will be seamless.” He added.
Presenting a vote of thanks, former House of Assembly Member, Hon. Nelson Alapa said the Vice president could bank on the words of Benue People, as the leadership of the APC party in the state, “distinguished Sen. George Akume” had been duly consulted.
