APC Convention: I’m not supporting Al-makura, others – ITF DG, Ari debunks

By Kingsley Chukwuka

The Director General Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has debunked the political posters suggesting that he has thrown his weight behind the former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-makura who is vying for the Chairmanship of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Ari said he is also not supporting anyone who is vying for any position in the 2023 general elections.

Ari stated this Saturday in Jos, while addressing journalists on the mischievous craft of detractors who have flooded the streets with campaign posters, indicating that he is supporting the Al-makura and also the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Sonni Tyoden, who has indicated interest to contest the 2023 governorship elections in the State.

According to the DG, some of the posters sighted also suggested that he will be running for the Senate Plateau Southern Zone in 2023.

“I am not vying for Senate. I am surprised just as you, to see my campaign posters for Senate and posters indicating that I am supporting the Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden, and the Former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-makura, who is vying for Chairmanship of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the March 26th National Convention.

“This is the works of those who are envious of the successes I have achieved in lifting the ITF to the heights it occupied today”.

Ari said his desire therefore is to continue to grow the Funds to meet the desired aspiration of its founding fathers, rather than drift away to politics which he has no appetite for.

“Since my appointment as the Director-General/ Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund, I have invested all energies in ensuring that the institution achieves the vision and aspirations of its founding fathers.

“Therefore, under my watch, the Industrial Training Fund has hit lofty heights, fulfilling its onerous mandate of developing the Nation’s human resource, while also partnering the Federal Government to actualize the objectives of the President Buhari Administration especially with regard to poverty reduction, job and wealth creation.

“However, based on my achievements, some unscrupulous elements that are bent on pulling me down. What has come to my attention is that in their desperate attempts, they have printed campaign posters suggesting that I am aspiring for an elective position, and also canvassing support for the aspirations of some candidates that are vying for elective positions in our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in upcoming APC National Convention.

“I have also been reliably informed that these disgruntled elements plot to flood the convention venue with these posters in order to breed mistrust and disharmony and thereby generate rancor for their own selfish purposes as I have never contemplated and not contemplating on vying for any elective position in the nearest future”, he said

Ari said he is only presently busy and fully engaged with the onerous responsibility of deploying the mandate of the ITF, aimed to equip Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.