By Ezekiel Dontinna
The APC Like Minds Political Forum in Plateau State, has denied ever existence of a group known as Progressive Volunteers For Bola Tinubu, describing them as fake, baseless and sponsored to ignite controversy.
The group led by the former Executive Chairman of Jos-North Local Government Council, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman, stated this when they stormed the State Headquarters of NUJ Jos, Tuesday, in response to the press conference organised by alleged group.
He noted that, they ordinarily would not have responded to concerns raised by what he described as a nonexistent group (Progressive Volunteers for Tinubu) led by one Timkat, questioning the suitability of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda heading Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Usman, however, said, “we owe it a duty to clarify the issue in order not to mislead the unsuspecting members of the public with the following facts;
“Since 2015, no group or affiliate known as APC Progressive Volunteers for Tinubu exists within the All Progressive Congress. The group should reveal its identity and sponsors instead of hiding, if they truly exist in the APC.
“However, we are not surprised that Timkat and his sponsors could not give any cogent reason to justify their claim because there is none.
“Aside from the fact he posited that the position should be given to a woman, not minding that the office was purposely created to serve Nigeria’s humanitarian needs and reduce poverty”, he pointed out.
The former Council Chairman reiterated that the Minister-designate has distinguished himself in all the responsibilities assigned to him, proving competence, diligence and charismatic full of initiatives to better the system.
He disclosed that the Professor had proven himself while serving as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State by being instrumental to initiating the BVAS machine to help reduce electoral fraud.
The leader of the group, described the appointment as widely celebrated by Plateau and Nigerian citizens both home and abroad because of his international pedigree as a renowned consultant with United Nations and other International Development Bodies.
“We wonder whose bidding Timkat and his faceless sponsors are maliciously pursuing. We, the APC Like minds and other Plateau citizens of goodwill, stand with Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda on his nomination which he earned on merit and his unblemished record of excellence in his previous national assignments.
“We commend Mr. President for choosing a distinguished Plateau son to superintend over the Ministry based on competence, and qualities. We acknowledged the appointment as apt, we are optimistic that Prof. Nentawe will assist the President in driving his “Renewed Hope Agenda” by working assiduously to unite Nigerian, maintaining equity and fairness.
“Prof. Nentawe is a man of peace, unity and progress who believes in Nigeria’s unity. His credentials makes him suitable for the job while his appointment reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to merit-based selections. Therefore, we reject in its entirety any attempt to politicize his humanitarian agenda”, he attested.
The group wished to educate the said Timkat and his ignorant co-travellers that, leadership in any Federal Ministry particularly Humanitarian transcended gender and that, Prof. Nentawe’s dedication would ensure effective humanitarian services and provide for vulnerable Nigerians.
They, therefore, described the author of the press conference and his sponsors as bad blood fellows and that, they were aware of the fact that Prof. Nentawe would add significant value to the renewed hope agenda, hence, discrediting his appointment.
“Prof. Nentawe’s qualifications and credentials demonstrate his ability to excel as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. We support his nomination and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wise choice.
“We as a group, and as I said, all the citizens of the Platesu State attest that this appointment is widely celebrated. And I want to believe that we are speaking the minds of 90% of the Plateau people”, Usman enthused.
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