Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, has declared his preference for Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as the next substantive National Chairman of the ruling party.
This was contained in a statement he issued on Monday.
According to the statement, Onjeh said Al-Makura is a round peg in a round hole.
He added that he has all it takes to lead the party at this crucial time.
While commending the appointment of Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori as interim National Chairman, Onjeh described him as a capable leader.
However, he stressed that if the party chooses to return the chairmanship to the North Central region, Senator Al-Makura is the most qualified and deserving.
“Senator Tanko Al-Makura has built enduring bridges of friendship and political alliance across all geopolitical zones of the country. He is deeply respected nationwide and possesses the breadth of experience and capacity needed to lead the APC at this pivotal moment,” Onjeh said.
Onjeh, a founding member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Chairman of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), argued that for the sake of fairness and inclusion, the North Central which played a major role in the formation of the APC should be given the position.
“With the President from the South-West and Vice President from the North-East, it is only fair that North Central takes the party’s top job,” he said.
He also pointed out that Al-Makura, a founding member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), is the only top contender in the last APC chairmanship race who has not been compensated with a political appointment or government position.
“Senator Abdullahi Adamu was made chairman, Senator George Akume is now SGF, but Senator Al-Makura has not been given anything.
“Despite that, he has remained loyal and committed to the APC and President Tinubu,” he added.
Onjeh further recalled how Al-Makura stood firm as the only CPC governor elected in 2011, during the height of PDP’s dominance, and resisted pressure to defect.
He said Al-Makura’s consistency and commitment helped lay the foundation for the APC’s eventual victory.
He advised the APC to adopt a consensus approach in choosing the next chairman, just as it did with the endorsement of President Tinubu as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
“Consensus helps to promote unity and reduce internal conflict. Senator Al-Makura stands out as the best consensus candidate for the national chairmanship,” he said.
Addressing calls from some quarters for a Christian chairman from the North Central, Onjeh dismissed religious sentiment and urged the party to focus on competence and loyalty.
“What Nigeria needs now are capable and loyal leaders, not leaders chosen based on religion. Senator Al-Makura is the best man for the job,” he said.
He concluded by urging the APC to act quickly to avoid internal divisions and focus on grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Delays only risk creating avoidable divisions. Now is the time for decisive, inclusive, and just leadership. Senator Tanko Al-Makura is that leader,” he added.
