APC National Chair: The Increasing Call For Saliu Mustapha And The Call To National Leadership (Matters Arising)

There is high anxiety amongst the polity as Nigerians main political party the All Progressive Congress, APC gets set to elect a new set of leaders to run its affairs.

Every four years there is an issue of the national chairmanship that must be addressed for that cycle and it usually takes up the centre stage. This year’s national congress happens to be the most heated and keenly contested because of obvious reasons, who emerges as the National Chairman would be saddled with the responsibility of taking the party into the 2023 general elections.

Although consultations are still ongoing, it was gathered that party leaders are zeroing down on Mallam Saliu Mustapha considering his track record of service and commitment to the party.

The past few weeks have seen an increasing call amongst party stakeholders for Mallam Saliu Mustapha to become the next party chairman.

A top-ranking member of the party leadership who craved anonymity because he was not approved to speak to the media on the issue told our correspondent, in Abuja, on Monday that,” For we to rebuild our party for optimal services to Nigerians then sacrifices will have to be made by all of us for us to succeed.

Saliu is in the race for National Chairman not to tear down the walls of party administration, but to make sure that the party’s administration is sound and works for all party members irrespective of any sentimental inclination.

Mallam Saliu has a rich private background which makes him different from the pack of other contestants, his refinement and focus would sure redirect the party to meet the expectation of Nigerians who have expressed confidence in our great party.

Most importantly, Mallam Saliu Mustapha is not in this race for himself, but for this country.  He is a measured voice when we need it most. I am looking forward to Saliu Mustapha leading that effort.”

Although some few party leaders have tried to use his youthful age as a sword against him, his experience in party administration which spans over two decades is actually a shield that can protect us all, Saliu Mustapha has a long history of party administration from his days in CPC, where he once served as the Deputy National Chairman.”

APC is the product of the merger between CPC; ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. There has been growing concerns by party stakeholders on the need for the CPC to take its turn in heading the APC.

The majority of party stakeholders cite issues like imposition of party candidates for elective positions, commitment and dedication to duty as among the top reasons why Mallam Saliu Mustapha would defeat other aspirants to emerge as the next national chairman of APC.

A top party chieftain from Owerri, Hon Emeka Obi noted that only a Saliu candidacy can effectively stop the imposition of candidates. ” one major problem we have in our political parties is the worrisome issues of imposition by party leaders, we do not need a chairman that would lord himself above all party members. We want a national chairman that would be on his seat to address the myriads of problems facing the party, Mallam Saliu Mustapha is the perfect choice for the national chairmanship position of our party”

It seems APC party members are fixated on excellence in leadership in producing their next national chairman and from the look of things Mallam Saliu Mustapha may likely emerge to wear the crown.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah writes in from Abuja.
Source iReporteronline.
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