Kogi State APC Governorship Aspirant Promises To Prioritise Development Programmes

Kogi State Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr. Idris Asiwaju Ashiru, says if elected Governor, his administration will build on existing development programmes in the state.

Ashiru who is the immediate-past state Commissioner of Finance, budget and Economic Planning, in the State, noted that the programmes will actualise the economic vision of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration.

The aspirant made the promise on Monday at the State Governorship Media Parley, organised by Kogi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the Press Centre in the capital, Lokoja,

Mr. Ashiru, averred that he had acquired relevant leadership skills and cognate experience in governance more than any of his competitors as his antecedents and leadership attributes in the course of service to the state in different capacities, are well known to the people of Kogi State.

“Based on exposure and experience, I’m the most qualified to be Governor of Kogi State having had the privilege of working with Governor Bello to develop the state’s thirty two years development plan on the basis of which the state records infrastructure Projects in critical sectors of the state economy, and the projects are verifiable and tangible to Kogi State citizens.

“My administration will be a continuation of Governor Bello’s administration because I have contributed my ideas to the running and success story of the state economic team led by our dynamic and progressive Governor Bello whose selfless spirit of commitment to incisive development policies and governance, has re-defined political leadership in the state.

“I have worked on the state economic council and represented the state Governor on the national economic council as well as participation in international economic engagements unbehalf of the state in the us, China and Dubai,” he explained.

Ashiru also pledged to use his professional skills and expertise to reduce the cost of governance and institutionalise meritocracy in governance by entrenching merit system in public service.

“Kogi State will experience more developments that would be products of Governor Bello’s current 32 years state development plan now on course.

“Due to the efficiency of the accountability and transparency unit in the ministry of finance, budget and Economic Planning, under my watch, the state government secured a grant of US5million from the World Bank for specific Projects that have been successfully executed to the glory of God and humanity,” he said.

Attitudinal Change
Asiwaju Ashiru, identified attitudinal change and shared determination of citizens to excellence in governance as the panacea for sustainable development and economic prosperity of the state, where inputs of development stakeholders matter.

According to Ashiru, Kogi State is in the process of building two hydro-Power stations in Eastern and Western part of Kogi State under an ambitious Joint power Project with the Chinese government while the the state will tape on the abundance of coal deposits in the state as a renewable energy option for Kogi State, which is currently in partnership with 19 Northern States to generate 100 megawatts of solar energy.

The project, according to Ashiru, is being financed by Nigeria’s Finance Ministry, to deliver alternative energy source to Nigerians, particularly in the Northern region with comparative advantage for solar energy generation.

Renewable Energy
The Governorship aspirant tasked Nigeria’s President-Elect, Senator Bola Tinubu, on the renewable energy option for Nigeria adding that he would toe the line if he becomes the Governor in November’s state Governorship election.

Mr. Ashiru, urged the APC Governorship Delegates whom he describes as the ‘Change Agents’ to vote for his candidature without monetary consideration, assuring the delegates that his Governorship will benefit all segments of the state that are key pillars in the state development plan.

“I’m accessible to all the delegates who can attest to my openness, friendship and free interaction with the low and mighty in the state as I assure the delegates to be the most accessible Governor of Kogi State.

“I have nothing to buy your conscience but i have the Goodwill of our esteemed honourable delegates to win the ticket of our great party.

“Nothing will happen that will change my accessibility,” he reassured the state Governorship Delegates.

N.O