Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a major contender for the chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a former governor of Nasarawa State between 2011 to 2019 and a current senator representing the people of Nasarawa South.
Born in August 1952 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the Prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1975-1978). He also attended Dunama Primary School, Lafia (1959–1966), Keffi Teacher’s College (1967–1971) and then Government Teachers College of Education, Uyo (1972–75).
Driven by his passion to become self reliant, Al-Makura formed Almakura Nigeria Limited in 1978 immediately after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. The firm was into the importation and servicing of agricultural and industrial machinery. He later ventured into real estate and property development as owner and chairman of Ta’al Nigeria Limited, with properties in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Washington DC, United States. He owns the Ta’al Lake Resort, Abuja and the Ta’al Conference Hotel, Lafia.
Al-Makura is not a stranger to Nigerian politics. In 1980, he became the youth leader of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Plateau State. He was elected to the constitution Assembly of 1988–89, representing the Lafia–Obi Federal Constituency of what is now Nasarawa State. He was state secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) party in Plateau State from 1990 to 1992. Al-makura was a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State in 1998.
Al-Makura made history when he defeated incumbent governor, Aliyu Akwe-Doma of the PDP to become the only Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governor in 2011. He also won re-election in 2015 under the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).
Al-Makura’s Chances of Becoming APC Chairman
As stated earlier, Al-Makura is a frontline candidate for APC chairmanship position. He was the preferred and most talked about candidate among governors and party stakeholders before Senator Abdullahi Adamu joined the race.
Al-Makura enjoys the support of most progressive governors who see him as a more liberal and approchable personality unlike Adamu. This may count in Al-Makura’s his favour as the governors have control of party structures in their domains.
The decision to zone the chairmanship to the North-Central regioin by the party will also serve as a boost to Al-Makura’s aspiration.
A major spanner in the wheel for Al-Makura is the porported endorsment of Senator Abdullahi Adamu by President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari is highly revered by APC governors and stakeholders and his choice will greatly influence the outcome of the convention.
It is believed that the president may ask Al-Makura and other aspirants to step down for his prefered candidate.
Adamu, another former Nasarawa State governor between (1999 to 2007) currently represents the people of Nasarawa North in the senate.
