By Edwin Philip, Lafia
Hon Farida Umar, the Deputy National Publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has said the leading opposition party in Nigeria is not factionalized under the leadership of Hon. Tanimu Turaki SAN, who was elected alongside other executives during the recent National convention in Ibadan.
She made this known while addressing party supporters at the PDP secretariat in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital where a former member of the House of Representative, Hon. Arc. Jafaru Muhammed Ibrahim, who represented Nasarawa Toto Federal constituency in the green chambers between 2016 to 2019, declared his intentions to vie for the position of the governor of Nasarawa State.
Farida Umar, who hails from Lafia the Nasarawa State capital, said the PDP more than ever is poised to wrestle power from the rulling All Progressive Congress, APC, at the National and State levels, urged party faithful to be united in supporting the the Tanimu Turaki led PDP and ignore some elements who are hired to bring down the party creating unnecessary tension in the name of factions.
She saluted the courage of Arc. Jafaru for stepping out to declare his intentions to throw his hat in the ring of 2027 general election, urging him to play the rule and working hand in hand with the party leadership in the State.
Speaking earlier to women groups and the leadership of the PDP women in the State, the national deputy image maker of the party, encouraged them to get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs ” I want the woman to come out and participate in the ongoing voters registration exercise because their vote is their power, if you don’t have your voters card make sure you go and register so you can vote in 2027.
She dispel the notion that women are not supporting women or men are not giving women opportunities, “I am a woman and I am elected political office holder, I urge women to aspire and seek political office and support will definitely come ” she added.
On his part, Arc. Jafaru Ibrahim said he is not stepping out just fulfill his political ambition but but to bring his experience of many years in public service to bear in the development of Nasarawa State.
” My credibility is my record, leadership is proven not promises but records, when the people of Toto and Nasarawa Federal constituency entrusted me with their mandate from 2016 to 2019 ,I did not fail them I delivered, I served, I worked across key sectors to bring to bring meaningful projects to the constituency, this are not political talks, they are real visible projects, that touch lives, this is the reason that people a cross the state has called on me to step forward again” he said.
“I am contesting because Nasarawa State deserves security for all, development in all ramifications, and all inclusive leadership, governance that ensures unity and equity, our people deserves schools that works, hospital that serves lives, roads that connect communities, industries that create Jobs, and leaders who listen” he added.
According to him, his administration if voted it would prioritize peace, a united Nasarawa State, where development will reach every nook and crannies of the State, a divisify economy built on vast minerals and agricultural resources, quality education and modern State for young people to become nationally and globally competitive.
He added that Good infrastructure such as road, power housing and accessible health care for all, inclusive and accountable governance, enhance civil service , pension reforms, as well as running a government where a son of nobody like himself will become somebody, and where every community big or small have equal opportunities.
Assuring the State party leadership of unalloyed loyalty ” you are the custodian of descipline and party unity, your endorsement will energies our base and strengthen our collective resolve to reclaim government house in 2027, ladies and gentlemen I assure you, I will run a campaign of issues and not insult, I will promote unity not division, I will run a consultative government if elected, I will imbibe the PDP values of fairness Justice and development” he vowed.
Hon. Adamu Ninga, the Nasarawa State PDP, responding to the request of the governorship hopeful, advised him to ensure that he should do everything within his powers to unite the party and not cause confusion, his consultations and campaigns should be issues based.
Speaking also at the event, the acting chairman of PDP in North Central zone , Hon. Francis Orogo, advised the aspirant that party would rally around whoever would emerge as a candidate after a transparent primaries and other aspirants should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship to ensure that party present united front in 2027.
Political leaders and Stakeholders took turns to speak, harped on the need for the party to work towards taking over leadership from the State to the National level.