By Joseph Edegbo
A Presidential hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and currently Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that government would develop the solid mineral sector in Nasarawa state and other parts of the country.
Speaking when he met with delegates and leaders of the PDP in Akwanga, Nasarawa state Friday night, Tambuwal described the state as a “strategic state with the best human and mineral resources” and promised to implement policies that will help achieve her potentials, if elected president of Nigeria.
A statement by Tambuwal Campaign Media Office, Saturday, signed by Spokesman, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, said the aspirant promised not to pay lip service to the development of the solid minerals sector.
“The time has come to convert the proximity of Nasarawa state to the seat of the Federal Government, Abuja, into real economic and developmental gains for the people of the state.
“I am here today to tell you that the privilege of proximity to the seat of power will give you the reward of deserved gains under my leadership”, Tambuwal assured.
The presidential contender, who is the immediate past Speaker House of Representatives told the PDP delegates that his administration will bring comprehensive and lasting solutions to the menace of farmers/herdsmen violence in the Nasarawa/Benue axis if given the opportunity to serve as president.
This, he explained, is by adopting a specific framework for the area that will identify the root of the challenges and deal with them comprehensively.
He noted that the framework that would work in Nasarawa may not work in Zamfara or any other state, adding that his government will not adopt a “one solution approach of the current government, “which he said, has failed to bring lasting peace.
Tambuwal said if elected President, “Nigeria will have a leader that will make the her proud among the comity of nations, “a leader that has the credential of togetherness, visionary leadership, bridge-building and a leader that will not take decisions shrouded in ethnic and religious biases.
“From my experience and exposure and broad world view, and having visited and interacted with people in all the 360 federal constituencies, as Speaker, I have full understanding of the complexity of Nigeria’s unique diversity, and I know that our strength is in our diversity. But we need a leader that has the ability, understanding and willingness to unify this great nation and bring her to the path of peace and progress because Nigeria has never been this polarised along ethnic and religious lines. We must say no to clannishness. Nigeria belongs to all and everyone has the right to live and prosper in any part of the country without fear,” Tambuwal said.
Responding on behalf of the delegates, one of Tambuwal’s former colleagues in the House of Representatives, who hails from Nasarawa, Mohammed Onawo Ogoshi, extolled Tambuwal’s leadership credentials, describing him as a credible leader.
For his part, the Nasarawa state PDP chairman, Francis Ino Kila, also disclosed that Nasarawa State hosts 90 percent of the federal workers in Abuja, said “your antecedents recommend you for national leadership. Your former colleague here has confirmed that you are one dependable Nigerian who always seeks the common good and our collective national interest”.
