How I’ll transform Bauchi – APC gov candidate

Sadique Abubakar, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, has announced plans to “radically transform” the state if elected governor in March.

The action plan, christened “Bauchi Economic Development for Social Transformation”, was unveiled on Friday night at a fundraising event held in Abuja and attended by friends, party members, professional colleagues and top politicians.

Mr. Abubakar, a retired Air marshal and former Chief of Air Staff, is running against the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed, who is seeking a second term in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The election is scheduled for March 11.

The APC candidate said he would re-engineer the political environment in the state by providing access to basic amenities.

He said the country must do everything to reverse some of the negative indices in the country, especially the rate of maternal mortality, children out of school and unemployment among the youth, women, and other vulnerable groups.

“We have 1,549 pregnant women who die in every 100,000 births. Only 29 percent go to school. This is a terrible figure.

“What we want to do is redesign the political landscape in Bauchi State, so that people can have a sense of ownership of the state. People must know that the state is theirs. And the only way to do that is to reverse the numbers,” said Mr. Abubakar.

I can vouch for Abubakar – Amaechi

Speaking at the event, the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, urged the people of Bauchi State to vote for the former chief of air staff because he can vouch for his character.

Mr. Amaechi said during his tenure as governor of Rivers State, Abubakar served as the air force commander in the state, when he fought militancy.

He added that Mr. Abubakar maintained a high level of professionalism throughout his tenure as commander and never asked for monetary favors.

“I am under no pressure to give you (Abubakar) money because Nigerians came to Rivers State to collect money. They lobbied to send it there because they want money. If you remember, it was at the peak of the war against criminals,” he said.

Mr. Amaechi, who was the governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, said only conscience and good discipline can stop governors in Nigeria from stealing money. He said there is currently no investigation to stop the governor.

“I am asking you, people of Bauchi, think twice about governance in Nigeria, it is very bad. The reason it is bad is that we elected people who do not know what governorship is. We elected people who see governorship as a job, who went to where to find money – that’s what he chose.

“Unfortunately for you all, people are not accountable for everything they do. And what is worse is that Nigerians are not accountable to anyone.

“If you are elected governor, your discipline will determine your actions not because someone will check you, not because someone will punish you or anything. If you like, go to Bauchi and take everything, nobody will check you . In fact, Nigerians will go to your house and dance for you because they take everything,” he said.

Teacher, Buratai, Olonisakin back Abubakar

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in his address at the event, called on the people of Bauchi State to elect Mr. Abubakar as the next governor of the state.

He said that Mr. Abubakar played an important voice in eradicating Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East by revitalizing the air force.

Also, Tukur Buratai, a former army chief of staff, said Bauchi State needs someone with a military background to protect the newly discovered oil along the Bauchi-Gombe border.

“The synergy brought to Rivers State-Bauchi and Gombe have oil, they will not allow bandits to steal oil. We are fighting militants and oil thieves from stealing oil in Rivers state. The right person is Sadique Abubakar to stop oil theft. The future is oil ,” he said.

Former Chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, also called for support for Mr. Abubakar to win the election.

Messrs. Olonisakin, Buratai and Abubakar served together as head of the military service from July 2015 to January 2021.

Other dignitaries at the fundraiser include the Deputy National Chairman of APC (North), Suleiman Kyari, the Deputy Chairman of APC (North East), Mustapha Salihu, the Minister of Women Affairs, Pallen Tallen, and the National Women Leader of the party, Betta Edu and National. Youth Leader, Dayo Israel.

Mrs. Edu, on behalf of the women, donated $10,000 to Mr. Abubakar’s campaign.

A group of 112 business leaders pledged N784 million, while Mr. Buratai pledged N5 million on behalf of the former head of department. Some other people also promised different kinds of money.