President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello have been called upon to ensure that loyal members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state were adequately compensated as they prepare to constitute a new cabinet.
The call was made by Lokoja Consultation Youth Forum (LCYF) in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Yakubu Abubakar, and made available to journalists in Lokoja.
The forum observed that the likes of Hon. Suleiman Baba Ali, a one time Commissioner for Health and a governorship aspirant in Kogi State in 2015 primaries deserve recommendation.
The statement added further that the forum would join forces with other like minds in ensuring that Suleiman Baba Ali is considered for ministerial position under the leaderships of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello’s second terms.
Part of the statement reads: “Hon. Baba Ali deserve to be compensated for distinguishing himself as a strong breed, staunch supporter and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) since the formation of party.
“We recall that Baba Ali refused to be lured into the unholy defection immediately after the primary election in 2015, despite the fact that other political parties lured him to be their flag bearer, but based on his loyalty to our great party he was unshaken and subsequently served as a member of the transition committee to our workaholic Governor.
“It will be of tremendous benefits to the Buhari led Administration and Governor Yahaya Bello’s government to offer such a detribalised Nigerian the position of a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria because since the creation of Kogi State, an indigene of Lokoja Local Government have never benefited from such position.
“We are appealing to Governor Yahaya Bello to consider this worthy son of Lokoja, who is the GABI OF LOKOJA for the position of Minister.
“The plea if answered, the statement added, would gladden the hearts of the good people of Lokoja Local Government.”
While describing their principal as a human mobilizer, a philanthropist and a team player, the statement said Baba Ali’s strong ties with every section of the country would add more prosperity to the adminstration of president Muhammadu Buhari.
“Despite not holding any political office he still organises and mobilises groups including the popular SBA NETWORK FOR PMB’s re-election, an action that has further corroborated his loyalty under the leadership of President Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello.
“The foregoing disposition signposted the level of commitment Suleiman Baba Ali had for APC and this is the personality President Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello needed to be able to gain the trust of the people as a true leader who has little consideration for ethnic affinity when it comes to appointing people,” the statement concluded.
