Niger State: APC Governorship Candidate Promises Security, Infrastructural/ Socio-economic Development
Gloria Essien, Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Niger state, Hon. Mohammed Bago, says he plans to embark on provision of security, infrastructural and socio-economic development of the state when elected into office.
Hon. Bago gave the assurance during the launch of a book titled ‘Law and Governance in Nigeria’ and a fund-raising ceremony in Abuja.
The event was attended by Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger state; the National Assembly caucuses; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; the Speaker and members of the Niger State House of Assembly as well as members of the State Executive cabinet; and captain of industries, among others.
Strategic Plans for Niger State
‘In a nutshell, we want to bring new change to Niger state. We want to rebrand Niger state so that we can be part of the newest economy in Nigeria.
‘As you are aware, Niger state is the largest state in Nigeria in terms of land mass
‘We have 76,000 square kilometres of arable land. We have 4 hydro power stations in Niger and yet we don’t have irrigation dams in Niger state; so we only wait for raining season.
‘We want to be agric giant in this country and an industrial giant for that matter.
‘We are already talking to and want to collaborate with the traditional institutions very importantly to curb insecurity.
‘We have travelled around Niger state for the campaign, and we’ve seen how people live and how our bushes are, and how our local governments are.
‘There is need for the government at the centre of the state to connect with traditional institutions and the local institutions to curb insecurity, and by the grace of God it will be a thing of the past,’ the APC governorship candidate assured.
The Current New Naira Notes Scarcity
While responding to the challenges posed by scarcity of the new naira currency notes and fuel scarcity as an issue in this upcoming election, Hon. Bago averred that ‘the problem is generic as far as I am concerned.
‘People who are advising for the redesign of the naira and the implementation of the policy are not being considerate of the plight of the people.
‘Politicians, who have money are not raising funds, so they don’t care whether you change money or you don’t change money.
‘The fuel scarcity is purely sabotage and there is need for the government of the day to make sure that it enforces or puts agencies in charge of this industry at work so that there will be availability of fuel.
‘But I believe this would be short-lived because you know the triumph of evil is short-lived anytime,’
The Niger State Governor
In his keynote address, the Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello, who threw his weight behind the candidature of Hon. Bago and his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, expressed optimism that the ruling party would record landslide victory during the forthcoming elections.
‘There is a bond between us that two of us know, a bond of trust and mutual understanding. He has supported me when I needed support.
‘But let me tell you something, probably the most important thing about our incoming governor: he will never abandon you; if he’s with you, he’s with you. If he’s not with you, he’s not with you.
‘I remember after my second term election, usually when people win their election they go back to do their thing. This gentleman came back to me and he stayed. He stayed to the last day, and that I will never forget and I really appreciate it.
‘The people of Niger state have spoken and I deliberately refused to get involved in the primaries even with all the pressure, with all the lobbying; I said let the will of the people speak.
‘Whenever you allow the will of the people to speak, you won’t have problems in the general election. What we are seeing today in Niger state, the acceptance and the reception during the campaigns is as a result of allowing people to decide who they want.
‘Campaigns have been completed in two zones, and I can tell you that in those two zones we scored 90 per cent. The only one zone that is left won’t be any different.
‘…We brought you all here not just to look at your faces. We brought you all here to support us. Support this process and you will never regret it.
‘For those of you that have the means, I hereby indulge you to please and please support this cause to the fullest. Trust me, it’s an investment worth it.
‘Some of us mentioned earlier on that things are difficult: fuel scarcity, cashless this cashless that, yes it is true. But with determination and the will of the people, we will make it. Fuel scarcity – all these issues will stop at some point; it will stop.
”All the governors of Nigeria are concerned about what is going on; so, that shouldn’t distract us. We should be very optimistic. We should go to our polling stations and vote for Hon. Mohammed Bago as Niger state governor and Comrade as his deputy governor,’ he appealed.
Hon. Sergius Ogun Rallies Support
In his remarks, a member of the 9th Assembly, Hon. Sergius Ogun (PDP-Edo), who rallied support for Hon. Bago, applauded his contributions to the establishment of the Maritime University, located in Okerenkoko Delta state.
‘We don’t know he might back down last minute but it turned out despite all the pressure on him, he didn’t.
‘Imagine if we had all stayed with him and on that day he backed down, but my relationship with him has remained since then.
‘He’s somebody you will call, he will pick your call when you need him to be by you; he will be there and we have developed such wonderful relationship since then.
‘Well, I can only wish him the best. As you know, we are not members of the same party, but he’s a good friend. He has a good heart and I know he will do a lot for his state so I wish him all the best.
‘I met him in the House in the last Assembly, and as the Chairman of Maritime, I know he was very instrumental to the Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko in Delta state.
‘I remembered they had issues, so many issues. He went, he fought for it. I don’t know if you have been to Gbaramantu, those axis, you know he went there. I mean for a northerner to fight for a tertiary institution in a body of water. He went through the search and ensured that the institution was approved.
‘I mean that speaks to the fact of what we have heard here today that when he’s with you and determined to do something, he will go all the way. So that’s the kind of person he is, and like someone has said here, Niger state will be very lucky to have a guy like him as the governor,’ said Hon. Sergius Ogun.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
