Political pressure group, Plateau Low land Mandate Group ( PLLMG ) has drummed support for the Senatorial bid of Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali (retd) .
Our correspondent reports that AVM Bali, retired from the Nigerian Air Force recently as Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) HQ NAF after an illustrious 35 years’ service and is currently an aspirant for the Plateau South Senatorial seat under the People’s Democratic Party PDP .
Speaking with newsmen in Jos ,the Chairman of the group ,Hon Nankur Ndam in a statement made available to newsmen said AVM Bali is a politician with unbridled loyalty, grassroots appeal and soundtrack records .
“The decision to endorse Napoleon Bali was taken after expanded consultations with the leadership in the six local governments in Plateau South Senatorial District,”
The group also promised to support AVM Bali to win the election saying he has all it takes to contest and win the election based on his track records .
,” We decided to queue behind Bali because of his stance on issues concerning the country.
“AVM Bali is a friend of the masses irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. He loves everybody “.
The group stated that AVM Bali has won several awards while in service and is favoured by history to have a successful run at the Senate in 2023 if elected .
” If elected Napoleon Bali would play very active roles in the development of Plateau South Senatorial district .”
Bali is a household name in Plateau South senatorial district with a strong grassroots appeal that can help the party the PDP
The statement further reads in parts ” Bali has impacted a lot in his immediate Constituency through various developmental initiatives “
“If elected Napoleon Bali would leverage his goodwill and wide contacts to promote the socio-economic development of his people.”
AVM Bali who is worried about the security situation of the state, and particularly of his senatorial zone where constant conflict between herdsmen and farmers has led to grave insecurity and would work with the executive to tackle insecurity ,he added .
Our correspondent reports that AVM Bali gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1983 as a member of 33 Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1986.
AVM Bali underwent his Basic Flying Course in 303 Flying Training School (FTS), Kano from 1990 to 1992 and was thereafter trained as an Instructor Pilot (IP) on jet aircraft between 1998 and 1999 in the same Institution.
On completion of his IP Course in 1999, Napoleon attended Joint Air Course (JAWC) in Hyderabad, India where he graduated with an ‘Excellent Grade’.
The Air Officer attended his Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) from 2001 to 2002 and graduated with C+ grade. He was a participant of Course 19 at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja from 2010 to 2011 where he also graduated with the prestigious C+ grade. He has a master’s degree (MSc) in Security and Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2013.
AVM Bali is an Instructor Pilot on the L39ZA aircraft and holds ratings on the Bulldog, Alpha Jet, Falcon 900, Gulfstream GV and G550 as well as the Falcon 7X aircraft which he Captained.
The Air Officer has flown over 3,000 hours inclusive of instructional hours amongst several awards and appointments. Prior to his appointment as a board member of Asseco Nigeria, the senior officer served as the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) until his retirement from the NAF in November 2019 after 33 years of meritorious service to the Country.
AVM Bali’s honours and decorations include FSS, MSS, DSS, psc (GAFCSC), fdc (NDC) and MONUC (UN). He also won the Best-AII-Round awards during his Ab-initio and Basic Flying Training at 301 and 303 FTS respectively. During his career, the Air Vice Marshal contributed immensely in the management of flight Operations and attainment of NAF’s objectives that yielded positive results.