APC sets new agenda in Nasarawa state

When the national leadership of APC says they are set for the next level, for the party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa state, it is a new agenda unfolding. MOHAMMED YANGIDA writes.

It is time again for the people of Nasarawa state to eschew the politics of religious and tribal sentiments to unite as a common front in order to elect the next governor that will not only sustain ongoing development by Governor Umaru Al-makura but also surpass him.

This is why the emergence of Engr A.A Sule as the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought to bear an entirely new vista in the industrial development quest of the state by propelling the agrarian state to a new enviable heights.

Sule said, “Interestingly, before I ventured into politics, I have been deeply worried about the lack of leaders that could propel the state towards the development of industries that can lead Nasarawa to greatness.

“Although past leaders attempted, but it failed and the whole thing was turned into politics. There was no genuine structures and machineries in place in the setting up of those industries in the first place.

But I can tell you categorically today that being an industrialist as well and one who has modest educational background and wide range of working experiences, I believe that I have suitable credentials to steer the leadership of the state come 2019,” he said.

Investigation shows that the candidate is not only an independent minded-person but also an excellent team player who could bring both his wealth of experience and worldwide connections to bear to the benefit of the state and its people.

Analysts say Sule is into politics because of the pathetic situation of the state, believing that he can use the platform as a special purpose vehicle to achieve better lives for the people.

Although it is a very challenging thoughts especially as a first timer, but many are of the views that he has a professional approach towards that direction and putting in more effort on achieving the goals.

According to him, “My vision is anchored on industrialisation of Nasarawa state to make it the industrial and economic hub of the North Central.

“We are convinced that this policy is capable of addressing the challenges of unemployment of youths and women, wealth creation and boosting economic activities in the state,” Sule stated.

Given his background in the private sector, Sule promised to leverage on the net worth of investors both local and foreign so as to attract their capital for the industrialisation of Nasarawa.

Citizens welfare

He said the welfare of people would be considered. According to him, “The essence of leadership is to provide solution to challenges of the led and to chart a realistic service vision for the betterment of the people.”

Although even the opposition are optimistic that Governor Al-makura remains the architects of modern Nasarawa in terms of infrastructural development but Sule has vowed to be the builder of modern Nasarawa by sustaining the legacies of the incumbent.

“My government would sustain the developmental initiatives of the Governor Umaru Almakura-led administration, if given the opportunity in 2019.”

He also promised to sustain the already- existing partnership of the state government with agro-business companies like Olam Nigeria Ltd and Dangote Group to establish integrated sugar refinery in Tunga, Awe local government area of the state. This, he said, will in turn employ about 30,000 people directly while about 100,000 people would be employed indirectly.

Rise above sentiment

He said the time has come for everyone in the state to rise up above religious or tribal sentiments, saying people should vote leaders with competence and genuine knack for touching lives positively.

As a citizen with vast experiences, he knows the challenges of the people, hence determined to make the needed remarkable difference just as he tasked the electorate to take the message of hope so that they would vote massively for him in 2019.

“It has become a big burden on me to ensure that I touch as many lives as possible,” he said.

He said all these cannot be achieved until it is established that non indigenes and indigenes understand their roles.

“We want to ensure that nobody crosses the boundary of one another but live in peace with one another. These are realities of Iife and I pray that we will continue to live in peace with one another. My intention is make sure that there is peace first in Nasarawa state.”

In his agenda plan, he noted that he would focus on security, power, education, healthcare, business, industries, economy and agriculture.

Other areas of his focus, according to him, include infrastructure and rural development, youths and women empowerment, the traditional institutions, civil service and labour relations.

The administration of Al-makura, over the years, has demonstrated its commitment in dealing with security challenges in the state, however, in furtherance to that, Sule assured that peace and security of lives and property would be his major preoccupation.

“For any society to function, there must be order; for order to reign, there must be security; those responsible for security must be governed by and adhere to the laws of the land,” he said.

On power, he said since it is the major attraction to industries, he expressed commitments to working with DISCOs to improve on the provision of electricity within the state even though the Dangote project in Tunga alone would produce about 96 megawatts of electricity.

He noted that there will be a deliberate policy to increase immunisation coverage within the state in order to cut down on infant mortality rate while the secondary healthcare facilities would also get special attention by attracting appropriate manpower to all general hospital across the state.

He says, “Citizens should always shun violence, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation. Power always comes from God alone; no ethnic group can give you power”, he advised.

Leave a Reply