The Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA), FCT Branch has unanimously nominated Bar. Paul Edeh, as their national presidential candidate ahead of the upcoming national elections of the association on Dec. 29.
The association at its general meeting in Abuja, unanimously nominated Barrister Paul Edeh by no fewer than 150 members.
Sunday Kputhur, the Secretary, BSUAA FCT Branch who spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the congress, said the decision to nominate Edeh signified a unity of purpose by the association.
“What you have seen at the level of the FCT Branch of our alma mater is unity of purpose.
“We are progressives in all our issues. There is harmony and love, which reflects the true picture of what an alumni should be like.
“We have overwhelmingly nominated and endorsed Paul Edeh to run for the office of the national president, which will, in turn, see him bring the lost glory of our alma mater,” he said.
Kputhur noted that the alumni had been embroiled in skirmishes and crisis, hence the need for a change of leadership.
He stressed that the members have been yearning for unity to make them stand as one, adding that they finally had in Edeh, the kind of leadership that they have been yearning for.
“He has come to repair our image, build the alumni, and unify us together in order to achieve a higher purpose.
“An alumni is not a student union government but a place made up of the capacity of people who are graduates of the school.
“We believe that Paul Edeh has that capacity to be able to do things right, to unite everybody and bring an effective and efficient leadership that is needed for all of us.
“So, we are standing solidly behind him to see that we bring the victory back home,” he said.
Also, Aaron Kase, an Assistant Director with the Police Service Commission and the Director-General of Paul Edeh Presidential Campaign, said the association adopted and agreed to present Barr. Edeh as their presidential candidate because of his pedigree.
“It is a resolution of all our members in Abuja that we all work with him, close ranks, and work with other chapters so that he can emerge victorious at our forthcoming convention.
“The reason for this decision is very simple. The issue of alumni has to do with networking, and so we want to bring in someone who has the capacity irrespective of tribe or religion.
“We need someone that has contacts and can harmonise the various alumni members who are doing very well so that we can be able to give back to the university,” he said.
Kase, who is also a graduate of English and one of the pioneer students of the university, said Edeh’s candidacy was not based on selfish interest.
He therefore appealed to all members of the association both within and outside the country to throw weight behind Edeh in order to ensure positive changes in the association.
“His candidacy is not based on what he wants to get from the association’s dues, which has always been the case, but more about making a positive impact.
“So, we are appealing to all our members across the country and abroad that the time for a better and united alumni association has come and we must rally round the candidate that is going to impact the lives of graduates of the university and undergraduates alike,” he said.
CSP Vantefan James, a retired police officer and also a member of the association, said Edeh was a unifier and would ensure everyone is carried along.
“We sat down here today as a family to continue from where we started; bringing back all the factions together so that we can have a greater cohesion within the Abuja Chapter of the BSU Alumni.
“We are glad that this is our first general meeting. We had a congress, adopted a lot of deliberations, and also had one of us who declared his intention to contest for the office of the National President.
“We all voted unanimously to support his candidature, and he accepted.
“So, we are glad, and that was the hallmark of our meeting today,” he said.
Earlier, Paul Edeh, while accepting his nomination, said he had accepted to run for the position of National president of the association with all sense of humility and purpose.
“This is not because I am Idoma, Tiv or a lawyer, or whatever acronym you want to ascribe to me.
“This is because I genuinely feel the pain of most members and veterans of our great association.
“This is an association that has produced well over 100,000 graduates, but we have nothing to show for it or account for, and I believe I can get the job done.
“Let me borrow the words of Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, even though I am not a politician; when he gives facts, he would usually ask Nigerians to go and verify.
“I want to tell you all why I think we can get the job done when I am returned elected as president.
“I have embarked on a lot of projects and donated millions of naira to the university as well as some schools in the state, amongst many other achievements, all of which are verifiable.
“So, I believe someone with this kind of track record can get the job done,” he said.
The National Convention, which will also serve as the association’s Elective Congress, has been scheduled to hold on Dec. 29 in Makurdi, bearing any unforeseen circumstances.
