As Kogi state gears for council elections, a contestant for Adavi LGA, Abdulsalam Mohammad in an interview with SALIHU OYIBO says he would lash on his experience as a successful businessman to bring about a change in the council.
Why are you vying for Adavi local government chairmanship position?
I am a successful businessman based in Abuja and this is the first time I am vying for elective position. I have been in politics since 2003 and my political mentor is President Muhammadu Buhari whom I have been working for to succeed since I joined politics. I decided to contest because the council is backward in terms of both physical and human development. I want to use my experience and connection to change the narrative. I am not vying because I want to make money, instead I want to use the opportunity to ensure the standard of living of our people. As a new generation politicians with interest to serve, I am presenting myself.
What difference are you bringing to fear in the council, if elected?
The major things lacking in Adavi are human and physical development. Most people do not have sources of livelihood and many communities do not have roads, potable water and health centre. There are no sources through which the council can generate income aside the monthly allocation. If given the opportunity, I will like a situation where each civil servants will have a farmland to produce enough food. In addition, I will channel my youth empowerment through agricultural value chain to reduce youth restiveness often caused by idleness among the youth population. With such effort, there would be availability of food for consumption. We can achieve this plan through partnership with relevant banks and other financial institutions. In Adavi we have many council’s roads that have been asking for attention, I will identify them and rehabilitate them. I will also take a look at primary schools that don’t have chairs with a view bro providing such.
How would you access the performance of Governor Yahaya Bello?
Before the coming of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, we all knew what the state was passing through in terms of insecurity. Kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other social vices were so rampant. Governor Bello hit the ground running immediately he was sworn-in by priotising security of lives and property by taking the fight to the criminals in their various hideout. This earned him a lot of accolades. As part of effort to ensure that people sleep with their two eyes closed, he procured over 200 patrol vehicles equipped with communication gadgets which he distributed to the security agencies to ease their daily patrol on highways across the state. He also established Nigerian Army Forward Operations Base at Achoze in Okene to reduce crime and armed robbery.
Also worthy of mention is the Kogi State Vigilante Service where over 3,500 ex-servicemen where engaged to provide security at the rural areas. Also in the area of agriculture and youth empowerment, the governor has performed excellently. The establishment of rice mills at Ejigba and the resuscitation of Omi dam abandoned for over four decades are worth mention. The governor also brought many agricultural programmes that have empowered a lot of youths and women in the state. One of such effort is APPEALS programmes that gave grants to youths and women. On infrastructure, the governor has constructed roads in the three senatorial districts. Through the State Universal Basic Education Board, many primary schools were rehabilitated while some schools benefitted from construction of new classrooms. His recent plan to establish a university of science and technology will also uplift the standard of education in the state, aside job recreation the institution will bring to the state. Also in the area of political appointments, Governor Yahaya Bello demonstrated high spirit of fairness, equity and justice. In the past political appointments were lopsided, but Governor Bello ensured that every local government and senatorial district is represented in his appointments. This effort have also brought the desired unity and peace among the diverse ethnic groups in the state. Even non indigenes are considered for political appointments which has never happened before now.
What is your chances of picking the ticket of APC to contest the council election?
I am a grassroot politician and I have been identifying with my people. Power comes from God. While some people believe one must be anointed by some powerful people, I believe in God. If a level playing ground is provided for all, I believe the best man to steer the affairs of Adavi would emerge via the will of the people. If all the contestants are given equal opportunity to participate, I believe the best of us will emerge.
