Why do you want to represent Adamawa Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, come next year?
Well, I am offering myself to serve Adamawa Central Senatorial District for effective representation and people-oriented service to enhance development in my senatorial district. Secondly, Adamawa Central Senatorial District lacks quality representation since the return of democracy in 1999. So, with my knowledge and experience of working as a local government chairman and other grassroots services I have rendered to my people, I think I have what it takes to represent Adamawa Central at the Senate come next year by the grace of God. Again, I am not impressed with what is happening at the 10th National Assembly as it is undemocratic because they have turned the place into a propaganda cycle and also as a rubber stamp assembly in that they have changed the legislative agenda of a people-oriented assembly. So, I want to join people of like minds to change the bad narratives that are going on there by the grace of God.
Why should the people of Adamawa Central Senatorial District entrust you with the highest office of the zone?
Well, number one, up till today, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party in the state in spite of the distraction here and there that the people of the state still have confidence in it and commands a great love among the people. Almost everybody in the state still has confidence in the People’s Democratic Party as a party because they like all the party’s candidates from our governorship candidate to those contesting for the House of Assembly. Secondly, remember also that as a former local government chairman I have a very good relationship with the people and that was why they asked me to run and continue to offer service to them and humanity. Also, you know that all the local government chairmen in the state are controlled by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Why do you think that the people will consider your track record given the realities of Nigerian politics today?
Well, remember that I was a local government chairman on four different occasions through appointment and election. I was one of the founding members of the party in 1998 and I have been in the party since then. The people of the state and the senatorial district know what I have done in the course of my service to the people. They know my track record and they have confidence in me and that is why they asked me to run and that they will vote for me come January 16, 2027 by the grace of God.
Are you not afraid with the calibre of candidates from other political parties like the APC, NDC and ADC contesting against you in the same senatorial district?
Honestly, I am not trying to underrate anybody but I can tell you that none of those other candidates from the other parties you have mentioned is equal to me. They are second-class politicians in the state compared to me in this coming election. I don’t have any fear about any one of them. They only have money but no grassroots support like me. They lack the political experience and competency which is my strongest weapon in the election.
Again, you know how Nigerians feel about the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this country now and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is looking like the APC because they want to steal power and run but unfortunately the APC has disappointed Nigerians with their performance.
Historically, Adamawa is a PDP state but considering what is happening politically, do you still think that the PDP in Adamawa State still has that capacity and acceptance to contest among the other parties in the state?
Yes, I assure you that they have, because people have learnt their lessons and we are ready to contest among the other parties because people are of the view that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party that has their interest at heart. I can tell you that Maurice Vanoboiki, our governorship candidate, is loved by the people of the state and he will win by the grace of God. I am telling you to wait and watch what will happen during the election because our dynamic party, the PDP will take over Adamawa State by May 29th, next year.
What have you identified as the major challenge or problems of your senatorial district which will occupy your legislative duties if you are elected as a senator to represent Adamawa Central?
It is the same problem of hunger, insecurity, poor Healthcare and infrastructural decay that all Nigerians are facing due to poor leadership and lack of ineffective representation of our previous representatives. I will do my best by making sure that our children will go to school, assist the state government to see that there is adequate security, and also enhance healthcare delivery services, empower farmers for agricultural development and above all, ensure peace by seeing that communities are adequately policed.
You performed very well as local government chairman and member Local Government Service Commission by providing quality service to your people which earned you many awards. Should your people accept such performance from you if you are elected as a senator next…
[Interview continues]
