Nigerian Newsday

By Umar Anache, Niger

Chairmanship aspirant in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Alhaji Yakubu Sallau has lauded the state governor, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure for good governance since he assumed office in 1999.

Alhaji Yakubu who gave the commendation in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Newsday called on the people of Niger State to come together and rally round Engr. Kure to enable him hand over successfully come 2007.

He said that the hardworking governor is eagerly looking forward to 2007 when he will handover to his successor who will continue with his good policies.

Alhaji Yakubu particularly commended Kure for the provision of electricity and water across the state as well as creation of job opportunities for the youths.

Alhaji Yakubu also noted that in the area of education the governor has established the state owned IBB University among other things. The governor, he said, has also done a lot to maintain peace and unity among the people of the state.

Reacting to a question on Niger State PDP’s decision to zone the governorship seat to zone ‘B’ of the state, Honourable Yakubu said "Niger State was lucky to have an honest governor like Engr. Kure, who has not danced to the tune of many politicians in the state who wanted to violate the arrangement of the party to shift power to zone ‘B’ at the expiration of his tenure as he comes from zone ‘A’ of the state", adding that "the zoning system is okay" and called on politicians in the state not to allow their selfish interests to destabilize the political arrangement in the state.

Kure, he said, has brought all political parties in the state together as members of the same family under the PDP government. On rumours making the rounds that the people of the state are planning to dump the PDP if the party did not favour them in its arrangements towards the 2007 general elections, Yakubu said nobody will go to any party as far as the people of Niger State are concerned, saying "we formed the PDP and we will remain in it as owner occupier".

Reacting to a statement credited to retired General Yakubu Gowon that retired soldiers should not contest elections, Yakubu said "IBB is a Nigerian and the constitution of the country allows every Nigerian to contest and therefore IBB is coming out to contest". On his chairmanship aspiration, Yakubu said "I only want to serve my people and to continue with the good works of my predecessor".