Former Governor of Nasarawa State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tanko Al-Makura, has declared his full support for the newly appointed national chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda.
Mr Al-Makura made this known in an open letter on Tuesday in Abuja, describing the emergence of the new APC Chairman as a reflection of the party’s collective resolve to embrace unity, renewal, and stability.
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The former governor was reportedly one of the contenders for the position before Mr Yilwatda, from Plateau State was picked last week.
He had also shown interest in the position in 2022 before the emergence of Abdullahi Adamu, also a former governor of Nasarawa State.
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Mr Al-Makura commended the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) and President Bola Tinubu for ratifying the new leadership, describing the decision as a demonstration of political maturity and the party’s capacity for internal self-correction.
“This is not merely a leadership transition,” he stated.
“It is a reaffirmation of the foundational principles that birthed the APC,.discipline, equity, inclusivity, and prioritising national interest above personal ambition,” he said.
Mr Al-Makura, who played a key role in the 2013 merger of legacy parties that formed the APC, emphasised the need for the party to seize the moment to rebuild internal cohesion and restore public trust.
He cautioned against viewing the change in leadership as a sign of instability, stressing instead that it should be seen as a healthy process of democratic consolidation.
“I am in total and unflinching support of the president’s and the NEC’s decision regarding your appointment.
“The party has spoken, and we must all move forward together,” he said.
The former governor reiterated that peace, unity, and party cohesion must take precedence over individual ambitions.
“My commitment to the party remains unwavering.
“I will continue to offer my guidance, experience, and leadership wherever required, not for personal gain, but for the progress of the party and the country,” he added.
Al-Makura, a former senator, urged party stakeholders to rally behind the new leadership, calling for a renewed focus on dialogue, consensus-building, and maturity.
“The APC is not just a political platform; it is a symbol of national endurance, of what is possible when Nigerians come together across divides to build a shared future,” he said.
He further encouraged the new leadership to provide not only administrative guidance but also moral clarity in addressing the complex socio-political issues currently confronting the nation.
He called for an inclusive leadership style rooted in reconciliation and the deliberate healing of divisions within the party.
“You assume office at a time of great opportunity, and even greater responsibility. Nigerians are demanding sincerity, empathy, and results.
“We must recommit ourselves to politics of listening, bridge-building, and strategic patience. I am fully in support of any leadership approach that values experience, welcomes innovation, and promotes unity,” he said.
Mr Al-Makura pledged to serve as a bridge between generations and regions within the party, promising to work with the new leadership to uphold the APC’s founding mission and mentor emerging leaders.
“I was part of the historic compromises that created this party. I remain available today not as a contender, but as a resource, a bridge, and a committed progressive,” he declared.
He urged the new leadership to ensure all segments of the party were carried along, stressing that party unity was essential to national stability.
He also warned that internal party behaviour reflected the party’s broader capacity to govern.
“The youth must feel included. The elders must feel valued. And those who feel alienated must be reassured that the APC is still their home.
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“At a time when Nigeria faces economic pressure, social tension, and regional uncertainty, the APC must become a symbol of moderation and cohesion.
“We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race.
“As leaders, we are custodians of the people’s trust. We must govern not just with authority, but with moral responsibility,” the former governor said.
Mr Al-Makura prayed for the success of the new APC chairman, expressing hope that his leadership will foster unity, reconciliation, and sustained electoral success.
(NAN)
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