The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for Kaduna state, Hon. Isah Mohammed Ashiru, has urged residents of the state to vote for him in the 2023 general elections, while assuring that he will end insecurity within one year.
Addressing Yoruba Islamic scholars under the aegis of Muslim Council of Nigeria (MCON) on Saturday in Kaduna, Ashiru stated that tackling spate of kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, killings and farmers – herders clashes through a well formulated security action plan topped his programme for residents of the state. He said his other four agenda are agriculture, education, health and women and youth empowerment.
The former member of House of Reps was empathic that without adequate security of lives and properties across the state, it would be difficult to achieve anything.
“If I’m voted into office, I will address insecurity within one year. You need to engage those involved in banditry, they are human beings like you, what they need is listening ear. We have spoken with some of them, when they begin to tell you their side you will shed tears for them. They are tired, they are ready for solution. We will bring them together, proffer solution, then implement.
“Retrenchment of village and district heads aggravated the security situation. These people (bandits) occupied territories and were receiving taxes every month so the people had to follow because they don’t want to have problem with them in Birnin Gwari, Kidenda, Dogondawa, Wusono, Labar behind airport, they come to our market with their AK-47, do their business and go back without molestation. So it can be addressed, we will engage their leaders and find lasting solution to it.
“Addressing insecurity is crucial to addressing companies that are shut down to create job opportunities for the teeming youth. Power is also key but fortunately we have the 30mw Gurara power station, it would help us bring back to live companies that are comatose. We have to live together either we like it or not. We need to see how we can reunite our people. There must be justice and fairness. We will try to create Wazobia City. We will review the fees of our education institutions. We will ensure they are affordable for the common man,” he said.
Chairman Ansar-ud-Deen Society Kaduna Branch, Alhaji Saburideen Adeyemi, in his opening address, said the meeting was not to endorse anyone, as they have no such power, but to enable the guber candidate outline his programmes for the MCON which comprises of Ansar-ud-Deen, Nawair-ud-Deen, Nurudeen and Nasfat and 80 other Islamic organisations.
