By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Conflicting reports emerged yesterday over the alleged adoption of former Nasarawa State governor and one-time senator, Abudulahi Adamu as the preferred candidate for the national chairmanship of All Progressives Congress (APC).

While a group in the APC, New Generation Forum (NGF) says it has endorsed Adamu as its candidate for the party’s next national chairmanship position ahead of the party’s national convention slated for March 26, another reports has it that pressure had mounted on President Muhammadu Buhari to drop Adamu for the top job.

NGF national co-ordinator, Charles Ibiang, at a news conference yesterday in Abuja, said the choice of Adamu was the best option for the party at the moment because of his outstanding qualities and experience.

“It is in this disposition that we recommend Senator Abdullahi Adamu to President Muhammadu Buhari for endorsement as the next national chairman of APC”.

But other sources said President Buhari may be weighing options on his choice of Adamu as his preferred candidate for the APC national chairman, following “intense pressure from his strategists and associates over Adamu’s choice”.

The latter position has it that the president, who is currently in London, the United Kingdom, on a two-week medical check-up, at the weekend faced intense pressure from some members of his inner caucus, and strategists and leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the component units in the larger APC.

It was gathered that this group has been canvassing against the choice of the ex-Nasarawa State governor.

But in contrast, Ibiang, speaking on behalf of the pro-Adamuists explained the backing for the chairmanship aspirant, “We do the same for all the respected and highly revered leaders of our great party; and all party members across the federation.

“As a loyal pressure group within the party, we shall not relent in our nationwide campaign, consultation and advocacy till this lofty objective (adamu’s quest) is actualised,” Ibiang said.

Ibiang expressed optimism that the emergence of Adamu as APC next national chairman would enhance stability within the party and reposition it for resounding victories at all levels, come 2023 general elections.

“As we gradually move towards the 2023 general elections, the APC needs to assemble the best of minds under the most competent and experienced national chairman.’’

But the source for those against Adamu said the president had been advised to “leave the contest for the office of National Chairman open”, instead of adopting a candidate.

In particular, he added, CPC leaders were worried that the president had made up his mind to pick Adamu, leaving two ex-CPC members also eyeing the slot in the cold.

The two CPC chieftains are Turaki Saliu Mustapha and Senator Tanko Al-Makura, also a former governor of Nasarawa State.

A source in CPC, who spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja, said: “Mustapha, for example, had been with us since the days of the TBO (The Buhari Organisation).

“He rose through the ranks to become the National Deputy Chairman of the defunct CPC.

“We know him. We know his capability and we can trust him enough to navigate the party through the stormy waters.

“Al-Makura, on the other hand, was said to be the lone CPC governor while the party existed.

“Neither of them failed nor floundered since then. So, how do you morally explain a purported endorsement of someone that we hardly know within our ranks, someone that does not enjoy popular support?

“Buhari must be wary of dire consequences of the purported endorsement of Adamu on the party’s chapter in Nassarawa State.

Poultry farmers quit due to high cost of feeds

“It may lead to an implosion that may affect both Governor A.A. Sule and Senator Al-Makura.”

On his part, the NGF ‘expressed happiness’ that many good and highly capable personalities had shown interest to shoulder the burden of the office of the party’s national chairman.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that reaching a decision as to who to choose is somewhat difficult for many party members. However, it is now a matter of the best amongst equals or best of the best.

“For us at the APC New Generation Forum, we have been tirelessly analysing the pedigree of each of the contestants.

“However, the matter became automatically settled and the riddle solved immediately the one they call the bridge – Senator Abudulahi Adamu emerged on the scene,” Ibiang said.