By Amos Tauna
A former commissioner for Water Resources, Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, Tsahiru Bako, has identified godfatherism and money politics as the bane of democracy in Nigeria.
He said if not changed, it would continue to endanger the principles of democracy of alleviating the suffering of the downtrodden.
Speaking at a one day workshop organised by an Aspirant for the House of Representatives from Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, Brig. Gen. Katunku Simon Gora, the former Commissioner noted that politicians should add value to people and politics for a better society,
Tsahiru Bako explained that the workshop was meant to create awareness, sensitise and develop an improved politics of inclusiveness that would carry everybody along in the constituency on issues that affect their wellbeing.
He observed, “We cannot continue to have the same political arrangement that has been in existence for years where aspirants sit at home or in their hotel rooms to call people to themselves just to make nonsense of them.
“General Katunku Simon Gora has come up with a new policy that will be dealing with the people directly because he valued their votes and valued them as a people whose interest he is going to represent if given the mandate.
“He has been going round within the constituency to interact with them as a way of knowing their problems and ensuring a better relationship.
“Today’s event is to see each other from all the nooks and crannies of the constituency to educate them on what he intends to do to the people. The workshop is apt, timely, educative, purposeful and a new development in the political history of this area with a view to making the electorate appreciate what to expect if they vote him to power.
“Today’s programme as you can see has gone further to show you the type of intention the aspirant has by ensuring his people irrespective of tribe, religion or any other interest relate together to appreciate one another and ensure peaceful coexistence for meaningful development in the constituency.”
The aspirant, General Katunku said he has no money to give to his people but he has ideas that could change the destiny of the people if strictly adhered to.
He explained that he came up with the four cardinal areas of education, security, agricultural and health as areas if properly explored could change the status quo for a peaceful, self reliance and liberating the people from seeking government work that is not available.
Speaking on improving agricultural production and stimulating agro business in Southern Kaduna, Steve Atar said there was the need for the people of the area to avail themselves with modern method of farming to liberate themselves from subsistence farming that has not help them for years.
He enjoined the people of Southern Kaduna to see farming purely from the business point of view, stressing that it is by so doing that they would add value to it.
He explained that new seeds and new farming inputs should be used by the people for them to be able to make impact in farming as a business.
Other papers presented at the workshop include improving security awareness in Southern Kaduna, improving health services delivery and healthy living in Southern Kaduna and improving education in Southern Kaduna.
The one day workshop was attended with participants mostly women and youths drawn from all the wards that make up the constituency.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/04/news/nigeria-2019-kaduna-el-rufai-2015-zonal-campaign-coordinator-dumps-apc-says-party-sinking/
