Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South West geopolitical zone have raised concern over the exclusion of the immediate past governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, in the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The South West stakeholders under the aegis of 4th Tribe Global Movement alleged that those referred to as cabal in the Tinubu-led government schemed out Masari in spite of his unflinching loyalty, investment and contribution to the emergence of the administration in the last general election.
The group in a statement signed by its convener and leader, Abayomi Mighty and made available to journalists in Lagos contended that Masari was one of the Northern governors who spearheaded rotational presidency/power shift to the South and the choice of Tinubu as presidential candidate.
“It is on record that Masari was one of the few governors in the North who initiated and supported the rotation of the presidency to the South and the emergence of Tinubu in particular.
“He also led the way by talking to his northern colleagues to support Asiwaju’s candidacy. He effectively weakened the opposition in Katsina State by his good governance,” Mighty said.
Mighty described Masari as an “unrepentant supporter of Tinubu” who used his political acumen and influence in turning Katsina into stronghold for the APC.
He noted that Katsina State’s contribution to the Tinubu presidency cannot be overemphasised.
According to him, despite the security challenges and the naira scarcity that created apathy during the voting exercise, the APC in Katsina State, came out for the 2023 elections with an impressive performance with only a marginal loss.
The stakeholders noted: “In the presidential results, data made available by INEC showed that the APC scored 482,283 votes against the Peoples Democratic Party with 489,045 votes.
“APC lost Katsina state in the presidential race due to anti-party activities, but Masari was not deterred as he led the party to an impressive victory in the National Assembly elections winning three senatorial seats and nine out of 15 House of Representatives seats for APC.
“As a grassroots politician, he used his influence and relevance to mobilise massive support to win the gubernatorial election for the current sitting governor of Katsina state.”
Mighty stressed that with Masari’s contributions to the victory of President Tinubu in the last general elections, he deserved the offer of first refusal in the ongoing jostle for political appointments in the country.
He, however, alleged that some detractors used a purported Masari’s less presence at the national campaigns across the country to advance their nefarious cause during the ministerial nominations.
He pointed out that the detractors drummed the beats of calumny and went further by ensuring that out of the two ministers from Katsina State, none came from Masari.
Mighty who described Tinubu as “a successful democrat, who truly rewards loyalty and recognises capacity”, alleged that some of the decisions made so far were made by the cabals without the president’s final approval.
He alleged that apart from Masari, other loyalists of the president were already distraught by some actions of the cabals negating the well thought-out plans that will deliver the renewed hope agenda for Nigerians.
“The Tinubu administration should be meticulous in identifying and rewarding stakeholders from Katsina State and other parts of the North-West states on the basis of contributions and political values.
“If by any reason, Masari is completely schemed out by the cabals, then a lot of compatriots and party faithful that are already surprised at the way he’s being treated will see this as a betrayal which President Tinubu is not known for.
“Every variable should be put on the table to share rewards based on deliverables,” he said.
The stakeholders called on President Tinubu to tread the path of meritocracy, equity and fairness on matters concerning the North, and Katsina State, in particular.
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