In this interview with Hindi Livinus, the Secretary of the All Progressive Congress in Adamawa State, Warnfari Theman, says the APC crisis is not enough to cause its defeat in coming elections
Some notable stakeholders in the APC, including former SGF, Babahir Lawal, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, among others, appear not to be backing the re-election of the state governor. Is the APC in Adamawa really in a crisis?
The APC has a challenge, but it is not the type that can consume the party in the state. You know that the APC is the ruling party in the centre and in the state. At the time this party was formed in 2014, this squabble was not there because we were in the opposition, but now we are the ruling party. The APC has become a very large party. Of course, you will find this tension because of what is at stake. If after being a ruling party, the challenge is just a little one, then we must be grateful.
Are we not still faced with similar challenges of insecurity, dwindling economic fortunes under the APC
We have fared better. In Adamawa State for instance, in 2015 before the general elections, I could not go to my local government because Madagali, Michika, Mubi South and Mubi North were under the control of Boko Haram. But today, normalcy has returned to these places, activities are going on in these places without any let or hindrance.
There is now massive infrastructural development through the Federal Government road projects like the construction of Yola to Mubi roads; Maraba Mubi-Damboa Road in Borno; Numan to Jalingo road and Mayo-Belwa-Jada-Ganye and Toungo roads.
Adamawa is home to the wife of President Buhari and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Do you think the APC easily defeat the PDP in the state?
The wife of the president coming from Adamawa is just one of those reasons why the APC must win in Adamawa, but it is not the most important reason. We have seen candidates losing even in their own polling units in their own states. It will not be surprising that Atiku Abubakar loses in his polling units and his party also loses Adamawa State. It has happened before and it will happen again.
Are you saying Atiku will be defeated here in Adamawa, his home state?
The APC has a challenge, but it is not the type that can consume the party in the state. You know that the APC is the ruling party in the centre and in the state. At the time this party was formed in 2014, this squabble was not there because we were in the opposition, but now we are the ruling party. The APC has become a very large party. Of course, you will find this tension because of what is at stake. If after being a ruling party, the challenge is just a little one, then we must be grateful.
Are we not still faced with similar challenges of insecurity, dwindling economic fortunes under the APC?
We have fared better. In Adamawa State for instance, in 2015 before the general elections, I could not go to my local government because Madagali, Michika, Mubi South and Mubi North were under the control of Boko Haram. But today, normalcy has returned to these places, activities are going on in these places without any let or hindrance.
There is now massive infrastructural development through the Federal Government road projects like the construction of Yola to Mubi roads; Maraba Mubi-Damboa Road in Borno; Numan to Jalingo road and Mayo-Belwa-Jada-Ganye and Toungo roads.
Adamawa is home to the wife of President Buhari and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Do you think the APC easily defeat the PDP in the state?
The wife of the president coming from Adamawa is just one of those reasons why the APC must win in Adamawa, but it is not the most important reason. We have seen candidates losing even in their own polling units in their own states. It will not be surprising that Atiku Abubakar loses in his polling units and his party also loses Adamawa State. It has happened before and it will happen again.
Atiku will be defeated here in his home state. He will lose here and the APC will win Adamawa.
Even in economics we make forecast. Though one is not God to speak with certainty, but we are saying this based on what is obtainable. And if it doesn’t happen, we will not be completely disappointed because we are not God.
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