As the National Convention of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) draws nearer, coalition under the aegis of North Central Youth Vanguard (NCYV), comprising of both former and serving students’ union leaders of North Central origin has expressed concern to support Senator George Akume in his bid to become the National Chairman of the party.
The group during the solidarity visit to Sen Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs on Wednesday 6th October 2021, had in their midst Comrade Dan Onjeh, a Senatorial Aspirant under the platform of APC in Benue State.
In their collective endorsement for Sen Akume and Comrade Austin Agada, the group’s Leader, Prince Miaphen said they will spare no effort until Akume emerges the National Chairman of APC in the coming December convention of the party.
The group thanked the Minister for the choice of Comrade Austin Agada as the consensus candidate for the Benue State chairmanship of the party, APC, saying that the youths of this country will always stand by the Honourable Minister because of his constant love and supports for the youths.
The coalition urged APC stakeholders to fully support the zoning of the position of its National Chairman to North Central, saying there is no other person with capacity and understanding of party politics that can manage the party well the way His Excellency Akume would do.
Opined that having been a Governor, Senator and now Minister, Sen Akume remains the best hand that can take the party to the next Level.
In his remark, Akume thanked the delegation for finding him worthy of their support and for their precious time committed to promoting his aspiration which is premised on the need to get someone with the capacity to steer the affairs of the party to greater heights.
He noted that even though, all the candidates contesting from North Central are equally qualified, the youths body found him worthy of their support, and for that, he is deeply grateful.
The minister further urged the youths delegation to hold onto integrity in every area of their responsibilities because as youth leaders, they have to set the pace for their generation. He gave an example of Comrade Dan Onjeh who was a student union leader who has distinguished himself and has achieved so much as a youth and still aspiring, recalling when Comrade Onjeh met him during his tenure as NANS Presidential, commanding over 30million youths and now still have the same capacity and energy.
In a similar vein, Dan Onjeh expressed his gratitude to Akume for the audience granted to the delegation and also pledged to support him in the forthcoming APC National Convention for the office of the National chairman and pledged to support his interest all the time and will always support the youths body as a senior comrade.
He added that Akume has distinguished himself in the area of youths and students support, saying members of the delegation have in time past benefited from the magnanimity of Sen Akume at one point or the other during their respective reigns as students union leaders and are now willing to return favour by doing their bits in ensuring that Sen Akume emerges as National Chairman of the APC.
The event also featured the conferment of an award of The Grand Patron of The North Central Youths Vanguard on Sen George Akume, to replace Sen Ibrahim Mantu who died recently.
Other dignitaries who were on ground with Sen. Akume during the group’s visit were Elder Simon Sango, Chairman of APC Elders Council Benue State; Amb. Matthew Adoli, former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo; Chief Nelson Alapa, APC National Ex-Officio; Hon. Bernard Ochepa, Senatorial Aspirant on the platform of APC in Benue South among others.