Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has presented flags to his immediate predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura ( Nasarawa South) and six other candidates that will contest in the 2023 general elections under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Engineer Sule presented the flags in Lafia, during the campaign rally organised by Lafia Local Government Area, on Thursday.

The Governor equally presented flags to Hon. Mohammed Almakura, Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, Hon. Dahiru Abdullahi Angibe, Lafia Central, Hon. Hajara Danyaro, Nasarawa Central, Hon. Hauwa Muhammad Bawa, Obi 1, Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa, Akwanga North and Mohammed Okpoku, Udege/Loko.

Engineer Sule emphasized that, the APC under his leadership, will remain law abiding and based on legal advice, will only present flags to candidates that emerged victorious from the ongoing court cases.

Presenting the flags to the candidates that will represent the party at the various positions in the coming general elections, the Governor prayed for God to deliver all the party’s candidates from top to bottom.

While noting that, the rally in Lafia marks the completion of the first phase of the campaigns across the 13 local government areas of the state, he disclosed that, the second phase will commence in January across the 18 development areas of the state.

Engineer Sule further disclosed that, zonal rallies across the three senatorial districts will also take place, with the grand rally to be organised in Lafia.

“This is just round one. And this is like to test the ground. And we have tested, we have seen, we have conqured and by the grace of God, you will deliver and we will also deliver,” he stated.

The Governor appreciated the people of Lafia for their continued support for his administration, presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senator Al-makura, as well as all other candidates of the party.

“I want to sincerely thank you for the support, for the love that you continue to show to our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who by the grace of God is going to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I want to thank you for all the support and love you have continued to show our leader, our own local Asiwaju in Nasarawa State, Distinguished Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura. I want to thank you for the support that you are going to show and have shown many times in the past,” he stated.

This is just as the APC said, with the conclusion of the campaign rallies across the local government areas, the people of the state have spoken, with all that remains, is for Engineer Sule to return to the Shendam Road Government House for a second term.

State Chairman of the party, Chief John Mamman, said critical stakeholders across the state, are unanimous in their support for the Governor to retain his seat, in order to continue with the unprecedented development strides.

“It’s only important for you to know, that the 13 local government areas have spoken, all the traditional rulers have given their blessings, the youths have spoken, the women have spoken, the elders have spoken, the labour congress have spoken, mechanics and other artisans have spoken, what is remaining is for you to go back to Shendam Road the second time,” Chief Mamman told the Governor.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Engr. A A Sule/Dr. Akabe Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Sandangi, disclaimed insinuations by the opposition that Engineer Sule is not a politician, stressing that, Engineer Sule has occupied leadership positions since his student days.

Sodangi hailed Engineer Sule’s exceptional leadership qualities which saw him brought back to life, moribund AP before he joined the Dangote Group where he resigned as the Group Managing Director, to vie for the governorship seat.

“A. A Sule was a union leader right from his secondary school days. He has performed beyond expectations. He has not misappropriated our resources and he will not do that,” he stated.

The campaign council chairman said no antics of the opposition would dim the rays of hope Engineer Sule is bringing across the state through his development initiatives and entrenching continuity in governance.

He called on the people to vote the candidates of the APC from top to bottom.

Responding on behalf of the candidates that received their flags at the rally, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, extolled the leadership qualities of Engineer Sule, describing the Governor as being faithful, competent, humane and a leader for all.

“I’m speaking on behalf of all of us and I feel I should recognize all of us. On behalf of all of us, I want to sincerely thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, who has shown leadership, who has shown faithfulness, commitment, and is a driver of continuity in Nasarawa State.

Al-makura pointed out that, only the reelection of Engineer Sule will safeguard the state from stagnation and backwardness.

“And I want is for the people of Nasarawa State to ensure safe delivery of A. A Sule. Because that safe delivery will save Nasarawa State from loses, from stagnation, from underdevelopment, from so many evils and ills,” he stated.

The former governor, who is seeking a second term at the senate, however cautioned the people against laxity as according to him, the 2023 general elections will employ the use of technology which makes the exercise different from previous elections.

“All the shouting, all the music, all the dancing, will not give us success until we go diligently to ensure that this election is done with all seriousness. This is not an election where money can give you, where you can buy votes. It’s an election that INEC has been very serious about,” he stated.

Al-makura therefore urged the people to seize the window of opportunity provided by the INEC to collect their PVCs, which will soon commence and last till February, stressing that, even those who list their PVCs, could use their National Identification Number (NIN), to enable them cast their vote.

Earlier, in a welcome address, Lafia Local Government Chairman, Hon Aminu Muazu Maifata, appreciated the Governor for his development initiatives within the council.

Hon. Maifata particularly thanked Engineer Sule for completing the Kilema/ Command Secondary Zchool/Kwandere road, starting the construction of the Assakio/Obi road and Lafia cemetery road.

The chairman said the people of Lafia are grateful to the Governor for completing the Lafia Airport and handing it over to the Federal Government, for constructing the Yahaya Sabo Mega Bus Terminal, which served to decongest motorparks in the city, as well as the dualization of the Shendam Road, amongst others.