From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Hon. Rufus Bature, has pledged to reposition the party for stronger performance in governance and future elections following his emergence for another four-year term.
Speaking shortly after assuming office, Bature said Plateau people should expect improved party leadership, stronger collaboration with government, and policies that will ensure the dividends of democracy reach citizens at the grassroots.
“What the people of Plateau expect from us as a party and as a government is nothing but the best,” Bature said. “We will work assiduously to make sure we meet the expectations of the people and ensure that the dividends of democracy trickle down to the poorest of the poor within our communities.”
The APC chairman said the party would continue to advocate for good governance while working closely with those holding public offices to protect the interests of Plateau citizens and strengthen security across communities.
According to him, the party will also align its programmes with government objectives through a policy framework guided by the APC constitution.
“The party has a constitution which provides how the party and APC governments should run,” he said. “We will synergize with our elected representatives to ensure that the provisions of the APC constitution are implemented as part of government policies.”
Bature further disclosed plans to organise a statewide workshop for party officials from ward to state level to clearly define their roles and responsibilities.
“We will organize a workshop for party officials where professionals will train the new executives and representatives on what is expected of them,” he said. “We are entering a new stage where things will not be done the way they were done before.”
He also revealed that the party was working toward full digital registration of members to strengthen its database and improve organisation.
“We want the party to be fully digitized,” Bature stated. “Our members will be electronically registered with their details attached to their names so that the real number of APC members can be accessed anytime.”
Reflecting on his re-election, Bature described the renewed mandate as both an honour and a challenge.
“It has emboldened me to do more as the leader of the party,” he said. “Having served for the past four years and being elected again, the best in me should come out because leadership requires taking responsibility.”
On preparations for party primaries ahead of upcoming elections, the chairman assured aspirants of fairness and transparency.
“By the provision of the Electoral Act, we can choose our candidates through direct primaries or consensus,” he said. “But whichever option we adopt, a level playing ground will be created for everyone who wants to contest.”
Bature also dismissed concerns about internal divisions within the party following the recent congress, insisting that reconciliation mechanisms were already in place.
“In every process you cannot have 100 percent acceptance. There will always be some disgruntled members,” he said. “But we have internal mechanisms to address such issues and ensure everyone feels carried along.”
He stressed that new entrants into the party would enjoy equal opportunities with older members.
“It is not us versus them anymore,” he said. “We are one APC now, and everyone has equal rights and privileges within the party.”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Bature said the party would intensify membership registration and mobilisation to increase its numerical strength.
“We stopped the registration earlier to meet the requirements of the electoral commission before our congresses,” he explained. “But we will continue registering members and we are confident that we will surpass the numbers recorded in the last election.”
He expressed optimism that the party’s growing support base would strengthen its performance in future polls and consolidate its political influence in Plateau State.