The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume has assured that he will not influence the emergence of candidates for various elective positions in Benue chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2023 general elections.
Akume who spoke on Friday while addressing Benue APC stakeholders ahead of their forthcoming party congresses in the state in Makurdi also apologised to members of the party, saying that he has failed them in the past.
He promised that the forthcoming ward congresses of the party in the State will be free and fair.
“In 2023 you people will decide your candidates and I will only be briefed. I have failed you people in the past and I have apologised.
“Both in the congresses and 2023 elections I have no special candidates. APC is one and together we are bigger than one individual,” he said.
The former governor of Benue and Minority Leader of the Senate further boosted that the APC has not failed Nigerians as the party has advanced the education sector as well as huge investment in infrastructure, among others.
He also said President Muhammadu Buhari has executed or is executing 24 development projects in Benue.
Akume said Buhari has executed a total of 24 projects across the state, adding that this is not about playing politics but stating the “objective reality”.
According to him, some of the projects are already completed while others were at various stages of completion.
He listed the projects to include the N2.08b Zaki Biam Power Sub-station in Ukum LG; Loko-Oweto bridge; Adoka-Naka-Makurdi road; Makurdi-Yadev-Ugbema road; Otukpo-Aliade road, and dualisation of Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road.
Others are Makurdi and Katsina-ala bridges; 3.35km Idye flood control project; 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant at JS Tarka University Makurdi; and establishment of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
Akume added that the projects also included establishment of Federal Polytechnic Wannue and Federal College of Education Odugbo, award of contract for the rehabilitation of Gboko-Ameladu road, among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Caretaker Chairman, Mr Abba Yaro, assured of free and fair party congresses.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, thanked the stakeholders for their sustained support and steadfastness in spite losing the govenorship election in 2019.
Jime said that the leaders of the party in the state have resolved to conduct credible congresses that would stand a test of time so as to win the 2023 govenorship election in the state.
NAN reports that over 20 govenorship aspirants, senatorial aspirants and major stakeholders attended the meeting.
Major stakeholders who attended the meeting included Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Stephen Lawani, Dr Sam Ode, Prof. Terhemba Shija, Chief Akange Audu and Prof. Jonathan Uever.