…Nasarawa resources belong to the people

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has said that the opposition has nothing tangible to offer the state, but are merely seeking power to squander the savings made by his administration.

Engineer Sule stated this both in Kokona and Akwanga Local Government Areas, while speaking in continuation of the state-wide campaign ahead of the 2023 general election, on Thursday.

According to the Governor, his administration has introduced reforms on the state, aimed at bringing about sustainable development, which can be seen in various sectors of the economy of the state and which the people can testify to.

He said that, the opposition is blinded by the quest for raw power, which has refused them to acknowledge that, in just three years and fir the first time in the history of the state, salary of workers are paid even before the monthly federal allocation is received.

Engineer Sule added that, mostly as a result of the reforms initiated by his administration on the education sector, which saw to the confuct of a baseline survey of pubkic schools and fbe recruitmemt of o er 5000 teachers, performance in SSCE has markedly improved from the 46 percent to 84 percent in 2021.

The Governor said because the opposition lack ideas and what to say, they resort to cheap blackmail telling the people not to reelect him because he is not a politician but a businessman.

“I am a businessman who has come to manage the resources of the state such that presently we can afford to pay salary even before federal allocation comes. Today, Nasarawa State can boast of paying across both state and local government areas, two months salary even if there is delay in the disbursement of federal allocation.

“This is only made possible by what the opposition is afraid of, our business intellect, which we apply to see how we can save our state, how we take care of the education of our children and improve on security,” he stated.

He noted that, the opposition has no qualms to request to use the Lafia Airport which he completed, as well as the Keffi Square, which he initiated and built.

“Previously, all they could say was that Engineer Sule is not capable of doing anything except building markets. Then they called asking to use the airport. I am telling them, it’s Engineer Sule that completed that airport. They again requested to use the newly built Keffi Square, I told them it’s Engineer Sule that initiated and built the square. Before even reaching the square in Keffi, the opposition will first have to pass across the newly constructed Antau bridge.

“We told them that aside of the markets we built, members of the opposition parties are also availed with the opportunity to use the new bus terminals built by this administration in order to enhance economic activities of the people,” he stated.

Engineer Sule said his knowledge and experience from the private sector prepared him to provide exceptional leadership to the state, which saw to the attraction of investors, especially big commercial agric businesses that are harnessing the abundant agricultural potentials in the state.

“We have also been able to clear backlog of promotions from 11 years ago. Instead of the 20m monthly allocation to settle gratituity of retired workers, we now pay N100m in three months. Our minerals that used to be carted out of the state in raw form, we are asking investors to come in an refine it here, to add value to these minerals like we are now doing in Karshi and Akwanga. Nasarawa State now produces 30 percent of marble in Nigeria,” he said.

The Governor explained that, though it’s not in his nature to boast about what his administration has done, the impact of his leadership are visible for all to see, except members of the opposition.

“If they can’t come clean and accept they lack ideas, the only thing that remains is to try to condemn our administration. I have been on power for only three years, yet some of them have been in power for the past 16 years.

“Some were commissioners, some were deputy governors, some were senators, some were ministers, yet I have to come and construct the road leading to their villages.

“With these types of politicians, it’s far better we bring a businessman to come and develop our state. They can only appeal to sentiments because they lack what say as far as performance in administration is concerned,” he added.

At the palace of the Abaga Toni, HRH. Mr. Lawrence Ayih JP, Engineer Sule disclosed the award of the contract for the construction of the Dari-Kokona road, with equipment already mobilized on site.

In Akwanga, at the palace of the Chun Mada, HRH. Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, the Governor announced plans to soon commission the brand new Akwanga event centre, the VIP, the Akwanga modern market, as well as the modern market in Nasarawa Eggon.

He appreciated the continued support by traditional rulers in the state, particularly the Ohimege Opanda, HRH Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, to the Emir of Nasarawa, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, Emir of Keffi, HRH Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, as well as the Abaga Toni.

Responding, the Abaga Toni, HRH Mr. Lawrence Ayih JP, said what Engineer Sule is doing is to build a solid foundation for the development of the state, such that those coming after him willfind it easy to govern the state.

“Engineer Sule has come to demonstrate to us the public funds is not free money to be misued, it is money meant to develop the state and the people and to bring about dividends of democracy. He is bringing his vast experience and knowledge from the private sector to develop our state,” the royal father said.

In his response, the Chun Mada, HRH Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, said it was inconceivable that after the struggle by the Nasarawa North to be given the chance to govern the state, despite that the zone has only three local government areas, an individual from Akwanga could have the effrontery to challenge this God given opportunity.

“It’s unimaginable that someone from Akwanga is coming out to contest against you. If not that we are a bit religious, I would have said that may such person not see the light of the day,” the royal father stated.

Also speaking, Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa, noted that, the mammoth crowd that turned out for the rally was a demonstration of the fact that Engineer Sule has come home.

While describing the Governor as the most hard working, committed, God fearing and fair, Hon Isa assured that, all the 11 wards in Akwanga Local Area, have resolved to garner their votes together and to deliver it to Engineer Sule come 2023 general elections.

He particularly appreciated the Governor for his development strides in the state and particularly bringing about enduring peace, construction of roads which include that of Moroa/Gudi, Andaha/Ancho/Rinze and Nunku/Agyaga, Akwanga modern market, Akwanga event centre, VIP Lodge, as well as the siting the Second Chance School in Akwanga.

On the rhetoric by the opposition, the Akwanga Local Government Area Chairman challenged the opposition to come to Akwanga and organize a half of the rally held in honour of Governor Sule.

As part of activities lined up for the campaign, Engineer Sule flagged off the free medical outreach sponsored by Dr Faisal Shuaib in both Kokona and Akwanga, using the opportunity to appreciate Dr Faisal for his magnanimity and concern for the health of the common people.

Equally, the Governor held townhall meetings with stakeholders which provided opportunity for members of the communities who lack access to him, to talk to him on issues bothering their communities.