Akume is the best candidate to lead the APC, says institute

The Africa Polling Institute (API) has identified Dr. George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, as the best qualified candidate for the All Progressives Congress national chairperson (APC).

Prof. Bell Ihua, Executive Director of API, made the announcement in Abuja.

Ihua stated that the decision was based on a public opinion poll conducted by the institution.

He explained that the survey was part of the institute’s monthly NigeriaSpeaks poll for January 2022, which was conducted on January 24.

“The survey solicited Nigerians’ views on who they believe is most suited to head the APC and position the party for the future.”

Akume received 13% of the votes, followed by Sens. Danjuma Goje, Abdulazziz Yari, Tanko Al-Makura, and Ali Modu Sherrif with 10% each, Isa Yududa with 8%, and Saliu Mustapha with 4%.

“Further study found that Akume was deemed most suited for the position of party chairman due to his strong leadership characteristics and character, as well as his prior performance and track record,” Ihua stated.

He stated that the poll was part of the API’s monthly NigeriaSpeaks series of national public opinion polls.

He went on to say that the NigeriaSpeaks poll initiative was a series of monthly countrywide public opinion polls aimed at closing the data gap.

Ihua went on to say that the goal was to capture public opinion and provide individuals a chance to contribute to public policy dialogue, practise, and advocacy.

“The survey was conducted from January 24 to January 28.”

It entailed conducting phone interviews with a random national sample. A total of 1,026 randomly chosen Nigerians aged 18 and above, representing the country’s six geographic zones, were questioned.

“With this sample size, we can state with 95% confidence that the results obtained are statistically precise – within a range of plus or minus 5%,” he added.

He went on to say that Nigerians from all walks of life were encouraged to submit questions for the monthly poll.

The API, he claims, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan opinion research think tank that conducts opinion polls, surveys, sociological research, and evaluation studies.

Ihua said that its goal was to promote improved public policy, practise, and advocacy in Sub-Saharan Africa.