Only APC can rescue Nigeria from its challenges, says Al-Makura

Nasarawa Governor vows to end ethnic crises in the state

The Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, said on Friday, that only the All Progressives Congress, APC, could rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.

The governor, who disclosed this at the end of a closed-door meeting between the APC governors and federal lawmakers, held at Lagos House, Abuja, said it was no longer in doubt that the party, which was a merger of some opposition parties, had come to stay.

“It is no longer questionable that APC has come to stay, and the nation looks up to us to drive the change process,” the governor said.

“So, we felt it is time to rob minds on how to promote the tenets of democracy in our country. APC is the only salvation in this country by virtue of ethics and principle. We are the only ones that can rescue this nation.”

On the ethnic crisis in Nasarawa State, the governor vowed that his administration would fish out and prosecute the sponsors.

While admitting that violence and communal clashes had persisted in the north central state before the advent of his administration, Mr. Al-Makura, however, regretted that it had assumed a hydra-headed dimension.

He said that no amount of violence would distract him from carrying out his gubernatorial function, adding that it he discovered that there were people who hid behind veils to finance and promote violence.

“We have discovered that there are certain people, who are sponsoring these crises, and this is criminal, but we are set to tackle it headlong. We have set up a committee to investigate those behind these incidents from day one and we are going to bring them to book. We shall employ all legal avenues to prosecute everyone found wanton,” the governor said.

Mr. Al-Makura described the instigation of violence in the state as pure crime, which he said, must be dealt with at once. He noted that people should dismiss the stories that crises were tied to religion or tradition as it is all lies.

The governor dismissed the belief that there were fetish attachments to the Ombaste militants, saying the youth were merely acting on the influence of narcotics.

Mr. Al-Makura disclosed that his administration had constituted a team to investigate the source of the narcotics and to prosecute anyone indicted.

On how to end the crises, the governor said, “There is limit to how you can apply force in resolving crisis, so we are looking at bringing the people to a round table to dialogue”.

“But that does not mean we are leaving out the criminal aspect. The criminals will be investigated and prosecuted; we will surely fish out culprits.”

-PREMIUM TIMES