The All Progressives Congress APC has flagged off its Governorship Campaign in Benue State, North Central Nigeria with optimism that the party would win the forthcoming general elections in the state.
The APC also claimed that it received members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, New Nigerian People Party NNPP, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Labour Party into its fold during the flag-off ceremony held in Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
The party said bigwigs of the PDP defected to the party with over two thousand of their supporters from Gboko Local Government and other parts of the state.
The APC also said that the state executive committee members of the APGA also joined the APC at the rally.
At the event, the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu who flagged off the campaign also handed over party flags as a symbol of authority to the Governorship Candidate of APC in the state, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and his running mate, Dr. Sam Ode as well as other candidates of the party.
The APC national chairman who was represented by Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa-Rijau, the party’s National Vice Chairman in charge of North Central Nigeria, said APC has a very strong base in Benue and will work hard to reclaim its lost mandate, remodel and develop the state to meet the desires of the citizens.
“From the turnout, capped with the landmark achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the party’s mandate that was stolen in 2015 must return to APC in 2023,” he said.
He urged supporters of the party to spread their tentacles to all nooks and crannies of the state to canvass for votes to ensure the overwhelming victory of APC in the forthcoming elections.
The deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr. Edward Onoja who spoke on behalf of the APC North Central Governors, called on party members to engage in the robust campaign across the state and appealed to Benue citizens to shun voter apathy, vote buying and selling, as well as violence during the elections.
On his part, Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume assured that Benue state would be delivered to the APC presidential candidate and all other candidates from the state.
Akume who is also the leader of APC in Benue state urged the people to vote for the APC to change the current negative indices in the state and warned against the temptation to sell their PVCs, stressing that any form of attack or intimidation should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Akume said that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu would transform the country, including Benue, if elected and urged the people not to vote on sentiments of religion.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accommodating Benue sons in his administration as well as the award of ongoing infrastructural projects, including the establishment of higher institutions of learning in the state.
In his remarks, the APC governorship candidate, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia promised to revamp ailing industries, fix security, education, agriculture, and health sector and address the problem of salary and pension arrears within a few months of assumption of office if elected as the next governor.
The APC governorship candidate assured Benue workers that he would put smiles on their faces, adding that the civil service would be restructured and reformed for effective service delivery.
Dominica Nwabufo
