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By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi
A former Minister of State, Health Prof Ali Pate has been rejected as a purported Ministerial nominee for Bauchi State by a political pressure group known as ‘APC Youths Awareness Forum’.
The group described Ali Pate as non grassroots politician whose membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State does not add any value to the party.
The assertion was made by a pro All Progressives Congress (APC) youths group under the auspices of ‘APC Youths Awareness Forum’ which has kicked against a purported plan to nominate the former governorship aspirant of the party in the state as a Minister in the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Chairman and secretary of the Bauchi State chapter of the Forum, Balarabe Mustapha Zadawa and Simon Elizabeth Godiya in a press release issued to Journalists on Sunday alleged that Ali Pate is not a grassroots politician opining that his nomination would not add value to the party.
They accused the former governorship aspirant of deserting the state and party members since after losing the primary elections.
According to them, Ali Pate had contested for the governorship seat of Bauchi state in 2019 and after being defeated, he left the state and never came back until another election time in 2023 when he also lost the APC primaries.
According to the statement, “Recently, we watched that the world’s richest business man, Mr Bill Gates had brought Ali Pate to Mr President probably for an appointment as Minister in the nation. We don’t think that ministerial seat is for sale or a commodity to be bought.
“A lot of events including political and others such as weddings, funerals and what have you would take place in Bauchi state but Dr Ali Pate would never be seen coming to rejoice or sympathise with the people being a politician in the state,” The statement further contained.
The Forum stressed that, “So, he is not a grassroots politician and we believe that the seat of a minister should be given to the down to earth politicians who will represent the people in the government and represent the government in their communities by extending hands of friendship and giving helping hands.”
It added that, “Democracy is a government of the people and for the people. Therefore, if the president doesn’t carry real politicians who have people, he will not be able to retain power for our party in the next elections”.
The group also rejected the appointment of former governor Isa Yuguda saying he supported Jack Rick during the APC primaries adding that loyalists who worked vigorously should be considered instead.
