As campaigns for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, candidates are unfolding pledges, some based on track records and antecedent others accused of making unrealistic promises and sponsoring publication of falsehood and political thuggery.
In Kebbi State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) though yet to constitute its campaign council, but beneficiaries of Governor Comrade Nasir Idris’s administration have continued to express appreciation and confidence in his leadership qualities based on his uncomparable track record of integrity, selflessness and dedication to ensuring peaceful coexistence and socio-economic well-being of the people.
The state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Murtala Usman, acknowledged the governor’s commitment to civil servants’ welfare, including payment of inherited pension and gratuity debts and sustained payment of entitlements, stating: “Civil servants in Kebbi State have never had it so good.”
In the same vein, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) noted the rehabilitation of over 3,000 primary and secondary schools, construction of 300 new schools, 300% increase in student feeding allowance, extension of teachers’ retirement age from 35 to 40 years of service and 60 to 65 years of age, employment of over 2,000 teachers, payment of N75,000 minimum wage with arrears, and introduction of allowances for primary school headmasters.
The Emir of Yauri, Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi during a courtesy visit to his palace by Comrade Governor Nasir Idris said the people of Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski LGAs will remain indebted to Governor Idris for transformative projects including new schools, general hospitals, rehabilitation of healthcare centres with modern equipment and ambulances, construction of a multipurpose mega secondary school, township and intercity roads, upgrade of the General Hospital to the status of a referral hospital, upgrade of palaces of the Emir and district heads, and provision of brand new official vehicles.
Also mentioned was the provision of free farming inputs and regular distribution of palliatives to the people.
Undisputably, Comrade Governor Nasir Idris sustainably enjoys the overwhelming support for continuity and appreciation for his commitment to the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of the people
On the other side, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate and former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami standing trial for alleged massive accumulation of questionable wealth while in office as Minister of Justice, was accused of resorting to fabrication of falsehood, baseless allegations in the media, and sponsorship of political thuggery.
The recent thuggery in Jega, where APC billboards, posters, and vehicles belonging to supporters were allegedly destroyed and were convincingly linked to the leadership of the Kebbi State ADCwhic allegedly uses hoodlums and miscreants for dastardly acts.
The Kebbi State Government has urged security agencies to investigate the violence and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice while calling on the traditional and religious leaders to preach the need for peaceful conduct of electioneering campaigns
The ADC candidate’s Independence Day broadcast promising prompt payment of salaries and provision of a befitting secretariat was also criticized by the NigerianLabourCongress( NLC), described it as”baseless political statements aimed at deceiving citizens on issues already addressed,” citing the recently commissioned ultra-modern Secretariat complex commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the payment of over N7 billion inherited backlog on gratuity, death benefits and pensions by the Idris administration.
The state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers(NUT) at a press conference addressed by the chairman Comrade also faulted what he described as “the ADC’S candidate’s fake pledges”.
According to him “the increase of the teachers years of service from thirty-five years of service to forty years and from sixty years of age to sixty-five and the provision of adequate teaching and learning materials for the schools were unprecedented in the history of the state “
Apparently, in the absence of anything to showcase as visible achievements, the governorship election campaign council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has allegedly remained committed to the publication of fabricated falsehood and sponsorship of political thuggery and several campaign of calumny aimed at deceiving gullible citizens.
Zuru is Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Kebbi State Governor
