The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, said President Muhammadu Buhari government have saved Nigerian states despite inheriting recession in 2015.
According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has not failed Nigerians.
TrackNews Online understands that Akume made the submission on Friday while addressing Benue APC stakeholders ahead of their forthcoming party congresses in the state in Makurdi.
He listed 24 development projects executed by the Buhari administration in Benue. Akume noted that this is not about playing politics but stating the “objective reality”. According to him, some of the projects are already completed while others were at various stages of completion.
The minister listed the projects to include the N2.08b Zaki Biam Power Sub-station in Ukum LG; Loko-Oweto bridge; Adoka-Naka-Makurdi road; Makurdi-Yadev-Ugbema road; Otukpo-Aliade road, and dualization of Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road.
Others are Makurdi and Katsina-ala bridges; 3.35km Idye flood control project; 8.25MW solar hybrid power plant at JS Tarka University Makurdi; and establishment of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
Akume added that the projects also included the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Wannue and Federal College of Education Odugbo, award of contract for the rehabilitation of Gboko-Ameladu road, among others.
Naija News understands that the former governor of Benue and Minority Leader of the Senate further boasted that the APC has not failed Nigerians as the party has advanced the education sector as well as a huge investment in infrastructure, among others.
Akume stressed that even though the party inherited an economy that was already heading deep into recession in 2015, yet it still had to bail out states to pay salaries.
On the forthcoming party congresses, Akume assured members of free and fair congresses in the state, adding that the people would decide their candidates in the coming 2023 general elections.
“In 2023 you people will decide your candidates and I will only be briefed. I have failed you, people, in the past and I have apologized.
“Both in the congresses and 2023 elections, I have no special candidates. APC is one and together we are bigger than one individual,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Caretaker Chairman, Mr Abba Yaro, assured of free and fair party congresses.
Also, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary of, Nigerian Shippers Council, thanked the stakeholders for their sustained support and steadfastness in spite of losing the governorship election in 2019. Jime said that the leaders of the party in the state have resolved to conduct credible congresses that would stand the test of time so as to win the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Other major stakeholders who attended the meeting included Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Stephen Lawani, Dr Sam Ode, Prof. Terhemba Shija, Chief Akange Audu and Prof. Jonathan Uever.
