By: George Ozalla
The Confederation of APC Support Groups held a press conference yesterday, where its Director General Professor Kailani Mohammed addressed various pressing issues with members of the group present.
The group condemned the perceived undue persecution of Sen Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, denying her the opportunity to expose those behind the non-functionality of Ajaokuta Steel Mill and the inherent deep-seated corruption ravaging the steel mill since conception, which has consumed huge amounts of money without tangible results and thereby denying the nation much desired industrialization and employment opportunity.
The group also criticized former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s recently released autobiography, “A Journey In Service,” advising him to make amends instead of reopening old wounds. On a positive note, the Group equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to reduce food prices, which have started to yield result.
The group expressed support for the #200 billion shortfall that the governors used to get so easily and urged state governors to diversify and harness mineral resources, explore agriculture ventures, and reduce dependence on oil money.
The frontline support Group also used the opportunity to reecho their desire for President Tinubu to consider their members for political appointments, citing their hard work in securing his electoral victory and continuous support.
However, they expressed both shock and disappointment at the appointment of opposition party members, such as Daniel Dwala and others while they are left behind.
Additionally, the group expressed support for the ongoing tax reform bill, believing it will improve the lives of all Nigerians if it is well implemented with human face.
The group criticized IBB’s book, stating that it generated more questions than answers and lacked genuine apology for wrongdoing. Mohammed quoted:
“In the book, IBB made a desperate attempt to whittle or wash or rid off himself of all the debris that have been clinging to his personality since he left Aso Villa 32 years ago, but this effort generated more questions than addressing the issues. For one, the attempt was devoid of genuine or sincere apology for wrongdoing, instead, it was thickly coated with deceit. In his desperate manipulation to turn the tide in his favour, he exhumed the soul of late Sani Abacha and informed the Nigerian public that Sani Abacha was responsible for the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, contested and won by MKO Abiola of blessed memory. There are no basis for comparison of the damage done to Nigerian nation’s social economy and political well-being and development by that singular action of IBB to any other event in Nigeria.”
Mohammed condemned and highlighted the execution of Mamman Vatsa and the murder of Dele Giwa, and a lot of others and canvassed for restitution.
He urged IBB to withdraw the book and rewrite it, insisting that IBB didn’t even read the book before releasing it to the public.
Prof Mohammed; when asked by a Reporter why the group is supporting Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan who is not a member of APC, he responded that the group stands for “justice, equity and fairness to all regardless of political party affiliation”.
