From Yakubu Busari , Jos
Drama is unfolding in the Plateau State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress( APC) as a fallout of the just concluded National Convention of the party over the weekend in Abuja.
Some governorship aspirants in the state are alleging that one of them is plotting to manipulate the upcoming primaries of the party to his favour.
The fallout of the just concluded APC National Convention, which saw the former Commissioner of Land and Survey, Barr. Festus Fuanter emerged as the National Deputy Secretary of the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC member, North Central, has create fear and panic in some of the APC governorship aspirants in the state.
They allege that, Fuanter, also a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state had lobbied the wife of Simon Lalong to get the NEC position in a bid to the pave the way for his smooth ride to the governorship seat in 2023 .
This medium gathered that in the APC alone there are about 25 aspirants vying for the seat at little Rayfield Government House, Jos.
Some of the aspirants who are also eyeing the seat are raising concern that the nomination of Barr.Festus Fuanter as the sole candidate of APC for National Deputy Secretary, was strategic. Hon. Nentawe Yilwatda was said to be the one being used as a front for Fuanter for governor, a prospect which didn’t go down well with many stakeholders in Ngas land.
The aggrieved members, some of whom are governorship aspirants are complaining that if what they referred to as “this ugly development happening,” worked to its logical conclusion, they would work against the party in 2023 .
Reacting to the allegations, Barr.Festus Fuanter said that as an APC stalwart he has the right to contest for any election on the party’s platform.
He said; ” I am not surprised by the actions of these political distractors but I will advice them to bring a salable candidate instead of turning to cheap blackmail.”
Barr. Fuanters explained further that he is not representing Plateau State alone at the NEC of the party but overseeing the entire North-Central zone, ” so anyone that is thinking otherwise and linking him with Hon .Nentawe Yilwatda is just planning mischief.”
“The Governor Simon Bako Lalong has demonstrated his pragmatic leadership style in the just concluded Jos North /Bassa Federal constituency bye- election which he allow the people’s choice prevailed.
“The governor didn’t tamper with the outcome of the bye election and Lalong categorically emphasised that let the people elect the leader of their own.”
Fuanter emphasized that” there is no anointed candidate for the governorship race in 2023, so Mr Governor explain himself clearly to all aspirants vying for the seat so I urge them to stop linking me with the state politics.”
