Babangida Nguroje, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial contest for Taraba Central. He stated that this crucial decision was made to foster peace, unity, and cohesion within the ruling party, especially as the APC senatorial primary elections are slated for Monday nationwide.
Nguroje, who previously represented the Sardauna/Gashaka/Kurmi Federal Constituency of Taraba State in the 5th and 6th Assemblies, explained that his decision followed extensive consultations and appeals from key stakeholders within the party. These interventions, he noted, underscored the critical need for a united front as the nation gears up for the general elections. Issuing a statement from Abuja after accepting nomination and expression of interest forms from a coalition of his supporters, Nguroje characterised his withdrawal as a significant sacrifice for the APC’s stability rather than a sign of political weakness. He urged his dedicated supporters to remain unwavering and committed to the party’s core ideals.
Emphasising the broader essence of political engagement, the former lawmaker articulated, “Politics should be understood within the context of sacrifice and not merely personal interest.” This philosophy, he reiterated, guided his difficult decision amidst the usual political jostling observed across Nigeria. Nguroje further asserted that politics should extend beyond election cycles, fundamentally focusing on addressing the urgent needs and aspirations of the populace.
The erstwhile Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) seized the opportunity to highlight the pressing socio-economic challenges afflicting the Taraba Central Senatorial District. He pointed to prevalent issues such as poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment, stressing the critical need for prompt federal attention and intervention in the region. Nguroje particularly underscored the immense economic potential of the Mambilla Plateau, advocating for its strategic harnessing to tackle these persistent problems and drive sustainable development in the district.
Despite his withdrawal from the race, Nguroje encouraged his supporters not to lose faith. He conveyed his strong belief that the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, coupled with the ongoing efforts of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, would ultimately yield positive, tangible results and improve the lives of the people across the state and especially within Taraba Central.
It is worth noting that Babangida Nguroje served as Deputy Speaker under the trailblazing leadership of Patricia Etteh, who made history as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. His withdrawal marks a notable development in the pre-primary political landscape of Taraba State, highlighting the internal dynamics often at play within major political parties in Nigeria as they seek to present unified fronts.
Originally sourced from Premium Times. This article has been rewritten for our readers.
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