Nigeria’s emerging opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on Thursday held its National Elective Convention in Bauchi, where 27 new members of the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, were elected.
The National Convention was held at the Rilwanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi, attracting delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, was formally inaugurated as the National Leader of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
In his post-election speech, the re-elected National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said: “I stand before you with a profound sense of humility, gratitude and responsibility to accept the great honour and renewed mandate you have bestowed upon me as the National Chairman of our great party, the Allied Peoples Movement, for a second term in office.”
He added: “I am deeply humbled by your trust and confidence in my leadership. I am not taking it for granted. This mandate is not merely a personal honour; it is a solemn responsibility and a renewed call to service, our shared vision, and our determination to position the Allied Peoples Movement as a formidable political platform capable of responding effectively to the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians.”
“I therefore congratulate all the national officers elected to work with me. Your election represents a vote of confidence in our collective capacity to consolidate the achievements of the past and chart a new and more ambitious course in the future. We have stood together through challenging and turbulent times,” he added.
He said, “Through it all, you demonstrated remarkable courage, loyalty and faith in our party. For this, I sincerely commend and appreciate every one of you. Today, we have opened a new chapter in the history of the Allied Peoples Movement. Most importantly, I want to sincerely appreciate our presidential candidate and the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, and the host Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, and leader of our party, for their immense contributions to making this exercise a success.”
He assured the party faithful: “I pledge to rededicate myself to the task of building an even stronger, more cohesive, disciplined and progressive political party, one that Nigerians can trust and identify with.”
According to him, the party would become “a party that will provide credible leadership and translate the dividends of democracy into tangible improvement in the lives of our people”.
He added: “I wish to sincerely commend the National Convention Planning Committee for the excellent organisation of this convention. The peaceful, orderly and transparent manner in which this elective convention has been conducted is a testament to the maturity, discipline and democratic credentials of our great party.”
He also commended the party leaders, delegates, members, volunteers and everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the convention, saying: “Your commitment has demonstrated that when we put the interests of the party and our nation above personal consideration, there is nothing that we cannot achieve together.”
Yusuf Mamman Dantalle then declared: “Indeed, it is a new dawn for APM, and as we commence this new chapter, we shall hit the ground running. We will expand our membership base, strengthen our structure across the country, keep internal democracy, enhance grassroots mobilisation, and take our message to every community in Nigeria.”
According to him: “Our manifesto remains our social contract with the Nigerian people. It embodies our vision for a better Nigeria and places the national interest above narrow personal and sectional interests. I also want to tell the women, listen and listen very carefully.”
He stressed: “In the new Nigeria about to be established, APM women have a strategic position in this government and in this party. We will not take you for granted. Your rightful place in the scheme of affairs will naturally be given to you. You are not meant to be slaves but to complement our men. We will not disappoint you.”
“And for Nigerian youths, get ready. APM is not coming to give you rice and bread with stickers, posters or some wrappers. We are going to empower you, establishing the atmosphere that you need to feed yourself and get for yourself what you want. No more wuru, no more lie-lie.”
He declared: “In 2027, APM will reset Nigeria. APM believes that Nigeria must come first. Our commitment is to build a nation where democracy delivers development, where leadership is accountable, where citizens have the opportunity to prosper, where the rule of law is respected, and where every Nigerian can look to the future with renewed hope and confidence.”
According to him: “It is in pursuit of this vision that the party has fielded credible and capable candidates for various elective offices across the country. Our presidential candidate, Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, is eminently qualified to seek the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His record of governance in Oyo State demonstrates capacity, experience, inclusive leadership and a commitment to development.”
“I want to give you an example. They were to do something, and somebody asked a question. The Governor, our presidential candidate, challenged everyone there: go to this road, go to this hospital, go to this school, go everywhere and see what we have done for the people,” he added.
The APM National Chairman expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious across the country in the 2027 general elections.
In his remarks, National Leader of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, said: “I am highly delighted, on behalf of myself, my dear wife, and indeed my family, and the people and government of Bauchi State, especially the APM chapter, for being given the responsibility of being the national leader of this very, very popular political party, APM.”
He said: “And it is diametrically opposed to the complex challenges of Nigeria — challenges of hunger, challenges of lack of unity, challenges of insecurity, challenges of local resilience that the cassava symbolises. I’m happy to be in this party because you have given us a stake, me and my brother, the presidential candidate. And you have the modesty and humility to give us big responsibilities.”
According to him: “Yes, we have two governors who joined you, but the recognition you have given us is going to give us a lot of challenges and will spur us to do more for you. By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you. We will support our presidential candidate by all means, and that is why you can see the way we have started.”
Bala Mohammed said: “The problem of Nigeria, you have told me, is insecurity, and he needed a security guru to be his deputy. And there is no better person in Nigeria than the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura. We are putting square pegs in square holes.”
The Governor added: “Our presidential candidate is an engineer by profession. He knows how to manufacture, he knows how to develop, he knows how to draw and plan and execute. And we, as administrators, are behind to give them the leeway so that we can carry everybody along.”
“I assure you we will open our plans to accommodate everybody and to give you the leadership that you have given me. May God bless this party. May God bless Nigeria. And may Allah open the eyes of Nigerians to elect Seyi Makinde and Lawal Daura to the presidency, and they will see the wonders of the world.”
Bala Mohammed declared: “We are a team and will fulfil all in the book because of the development they will bring. It will be an all-inclusive government. I thank you most sincerely.”