Benue 2019: I have all it takes to be deputy Governor – Nelson Alapa

Following the emergence of Hon. Emmanuel Jime as the flag bearer of the APC in Benue state, there has been online campaigns by supporters of some notable politicians of the Idoma extraction to serve as his running mate. The Council of Elders in the party recently narrowed the aspirants to 3 namely; Hon Nelson Alapa, Dr Sam Ode and Hon Ralph Igbago all form Otukpo Local Government.

In this exclusive interview, Hon Nelson Alapa revealed that he is interested in the race and shares bit of why he feels most qualified to deputise Hon Jime.
Exerpts:

IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE THE CHANGE ADMINISTRATION CAME ON BOARD. WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE BUHARI-LED GOVERNMENT?

Yea… we are 3 years down the line… what I take from every development is that the government came in handy with are promises. What were those promises? You look at them from the point of view of what they came with. And I believe the Buhari government came with the desire to transform the economy that was nose diving, they came with the desire to end corruption, they came with the desire to tackle insecurity that was unresolved by the previous administration. The 3 cardinal issues are Security, Economy and Corruption. You will agree with me that these issues have been largely addressed to the point that I can score the administration a pass mark. As far as am concerned, all these issues are being addressed. As a party, the economy was already in recession. But what do you have now under Buhari? The economy has greatly improved. On corruption, all windows have been sealed monies are not being stolen like before. It has never been like this let us support this government to conclude what they have for Nigerians.

HOW DO YOU RATE THE GOVERNMENT IN BENUE STATE?

For the government in Benue, we thought we could redeem it but unfortunately we lost control. At this point, we can only think of bringing a government on board that will continue with the manifestos, ideals and principles of the APC which of cause is the only thing Nigerians are yearning for.

YOU HAVE BEEN A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE APC. THERE HAVE BEEN MOVEMENTS ACROSS PARTY LINES. WHY HAVE YOU REMAINED IN SPITE OF NOT BEING ACCORDED YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE PARTY?

My understanding of politics is ideological. Politics must be ideological. I am an ideological politician I don’t just move around like other people do. They move with the waves just on the quest to grab power. If power is my sole concern, then I can move from one party to another. But I think power is not my sole aim. I came into politics through the old ANPPthat actually metamorphorsed into the APC today in convergence with other political parties. What I met with the other parties have no iota of the ideology I think I should fit into this is why I remained with my principles with the party I am. That explains why I remained until this merger was formed. I thank god that they party I joined from the beginning had a semblance of the ideology I have within me so there was no need for me to move to any other party no matter how interesting or juicy it may seem.

YOU WERE QUITE CLOSE TO GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM AND MANY THOUGHT YOU WOULD MOVE WITH HIM WHEN HE DEFECTED, OTHERS ALSO SAID YOU HAD CONCLUDED PLANS TO JOIN THE SDP.

Well… I don’t have any biological relationship with Gov. Ortom. My relationship with Ortom was to give him all the needed support to succeed as governor I did all that because that is my commitment and it naturally expect of me to do so. All the while, he was fine. There are troubles everywhere but your ability to transform them into gains is what makes you who you are. I thought he could surmount all the pressures that came around to move him away but he couldn’t. so my relationship with him was based on the fact that he was the flag bearer of my party and I did what I could for him. Thank God he didn’t consult me before he left all I can do is to wish him well where ever he is.

SINCE THE EMERGENCE OF EMMANUEL JIME AS THE PARTY’S FLAG BEARER, THERE HAS BEEN CLAMOUR FOR A RUNNING MATE AND YOUR NAME HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY MENTIONED. WOULD YOU LIKE TO REACT TO THIS?

The emergence of Rt. Hon Emmanuel Jime as the flag bearer of the APC in Benue is the best thing that will ever happen to the state. I thank God same mistake made as it happened in 2014 did not repeat itself where the ticket was erroneously given to Ortom. Emmanuel Jime could have been the flag bearer instead of Ortom. But somehow, political technicality didn’t bring him to be and that’s why this time, from all the aspirants, I personally worked for the emergence of Emmanuel Jime because I felt he is the best amongst all to deliver on the promises of APC. But Ortom has failed despite the benefits he enjoyed. I thank God for bringing Jime at this time and for the holistic decision of the party leadership. On the issue of his running mate, I think Emmanuel Jime needs someone who can complement him and harvest the votes in the grassroots. He needs someone who is familiar with the terrains given the fact that the APC is a people oriented party born with ideology. He needs someone of same ideology with him who was part of the formation of the party and part of the manisfesto. Thank God I am priviledged to be part of the party formation as well as its constitution. At a time, I was the secretary of the merger committee I played many roles in the formation of the party. I was the first interim national officer of the party by that privilege I am the first registered member of the APC in all the North-Central so I am well informed about the ideals of the founding fathers of the party so I didn’t look at that opportunity twice because I know I have what it takes to support Jime and make remarkable impact. I believe I will service a better chance of helping him actualise his vision if by the grace I am given the opportunity to deputise him. Loyalty is the first criteria, and of cause being an orthodox member of the party till now I stand better position amongst all those that are aspiring to be running mates to him. I stand above all of them. My cv as a member of the party I have won several elections through the conventions. I don’t see any of them with the kind of CV that I have. It is my prayer that the council of elders and the decision makers consider me for the position and we will make a difference. They should look at what will give value to the incoming governor. I come from Otukpo where the present micro-zoning is situated. It’s natural that we should have it. The Idoma zone is divided into 3 zones. The other 2 have had their share since 1999. It will be improper to deny Otukpo. My mother comes from Igede and my wife comes from Ogbadibo which encapsulates the entire interests of the whole Benue south. These things count when it comes to vote harvest. I am a bona fide indigene of Otukpo where I have consistently demonstrated capacity to lead.

THERE WAS A PUBLICATION RECENTLY THAT YOU ARE FROM ORUMBA NORTH OF ANAMBRA STATE. IS THERE SOME TRUTH IN THAT?

Is that not laughable? How can I come from Orumba North or South? To think that a bona fide son of Otukpo is from somewhere else is unthinkable. Before coming into politics I was a business man of repute. I have been into shipping I own ships and I have impacted on my community as a business man. I was a known philanthropist when my people saw this, they urged me to go for the house of reps where I had the opportunity to serve them even more. So its unthinkable that anyone could make such assertions in the first place. Going forward, I want to urge my supporters to campaign base on ideologies and issues. I will dissociate myself with anyone who responds to my opponents and detractors insultingly. Let us be patient and wait for the decision of the party.