Former Chairman, Karu Local Government Council and former Commissioner in Nasarawa State, Samuel Akala, has vowed not to succumb to pressure by switching his confidence on Speaker Daniel Oga Ogazi and the group of 13. He reiterated that he will not be coerced to encourage and support what he termed, illegality being displayed by the government in power and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Hon. Akala, a chieftain of the ruling APC in the state made the vow following the protracted Speakership crisis in the state’s House of Assembly. He made his position known while reacting to allegations levelled against him by some stakeholders of the party in his local government. He denied ever disparaging or undermining the governor in any way as being alleged.

According to the former Senior Special Adviser on Rural Development, he has been completely loyal to the administration of governor Abdullahi Sule, adding that the area of his disagreement is the encouragement and perpetuation of illegality in the state’s House of Assembly.

On the allegation that he worked against the government of Sule, the APC chieftain maintained that he only stated his position concerning the illegality of inaugurating members-elect of the State Assembly outside the Assembly complex.

The former chairman insisted on his loyalty to the party, adding that he never worked against APC during the 2023 general elections as he won his ward for the party contrary to the claim by the stakeholders.

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t join issues with the Chairman of my Area Council and a few APC stakeholders in Karu Local Government but it is incumbent on me to set the record straight to avoid misleading the governor and people of Nasarawa State on the true situation of things.

“It is worthy of note that I have the highest respect for the office of the governor and the person of his Excellency, Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State and on no forum was I seen or heard calling the governor names in an attempt to bring him and his good office to public ridicule.

“Double standard is against my principles and philosophy of life. As a person, I cannot be here and there at the same time. It is either I am with you or against you, which will be evident and clearly demonstrated in my words and actions.”

“Everyone knows I am a loyal party man over the years who fought tooth and nail for the victory of our party in Karu. it is therefore most unfortunate to tag me as one who is capable of engaging in anti-party activities that led to the defeat of APC in our Council Area, after their inability to demonstrate leadership, unite and mobilize our members for victory for the party.

“This is a clear message that the Chairman, James Thomas, former member, Maiyaki David and the former Commissioner of Science, have all failed woefully in discharging their duties that could have attracted electoral victory for APC.”

Akala said: As the Executive Chairman of Karu Local Government Council in 2019, I championed the campaign that saw to the victory of Engr. Sule in Karu Local Government Area, even against the wish of the acclaimed stakeholders who are today brandishing lies without shame against my person.”

Akala however alleged that all APC stakeholders worked against the party at the recently concluded House of Assembly and National Assembly elections in their preference for the candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“I challenge them to put forward election results of their polling units and wards, and I present mine for the avoidance of doubts.

“Accusing me of anti-party activities is trying to be politically correct because you cannot be more Catholic than the Pope. This is a great disservice to the sacrifices I have made and continue to make for the party in our Area Council and across the state.

“Finally, I will like to emphatically state that all my media engagements and opinions expressed are completely based on my personal conviction and truth. They are entirely my personal opinions and not that of the few acclaimed stakeholders. I am an independent minded technocrat, who stands firmly for the law and truth”, he added.