By Oboh Linus, Lafia
Mr Emmanuel Umbugadu has commended the administration of Gov. Abdullahi Sule for exceeding expectations in governance, especially in pension and infrastructure delivery in Nasarawa State.
Umbugadu, who recently retired as Director of Finance and Accounts from the Nasarawa State Pension Bureau, gave this commendation in an interview with newsmen on Saturday.
Umbugadu is currently an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Nasarawa Eggon West in the forthcoming 2027 State Assembly election.
Umbugadu rated Gov. Sule’s administration high, citing the infrastructural achievements, upgrade of health institutions, education, women and youth empowerment.
“As stakeholders, we are happy with this administration; it has done creditably well. It has not taken new loans in 7 years. It has cleared N56 billion inherited debt.
“The administration has done so well in infrastructural development; we now have a state-of-the-art secretariat complex, road networks, flyovers and underpasses to reduce travel time.
“There is improved security; you can now sleep with your two eyes closed. This has translated into
investments; now multinational companies are springing up in the state,” he stated.
He described the pension bureau as a very delicate place because it deals with vulnerable elders who served the country.
“Before the administration of Gov. Sule, pensioners were being paid in percentage. In some months you don’t even get it. No retirement or death benefits.
“But thank God, Gov. Sule has changed the narrative. Since he assumed office, gratuity and death benefits are being paid every quarter. Monthly pension is regular and prompt,” he said.
Umbugadu, now part of the retiree class, thanked the governor and expressed hope that his successor would sustain the tempo.
Speaking on politics and representation, he said his decision to contest was driven by his people’s call after 6 months of persuasion.
“My pedigree, my fear of God, and my desire to help my people and contribute to the development of my constituency speak for me.
I wouldn’t want our people to continue in the dark,” he said.
He argued that opposition does not count in Nigeria and urged his people to align with the government at the centre to attract development to their communities.
Umbugadu drummed support for Sen. Ahmed Wadada, APC governorship candidate and all the APC candidates contesting for elective positions in the state.
He described Wadada as the right person to succeed Sule, citing his international connections, vast experience in the public and private sector and nationalistic outlook.
He listed Wadada’s contributions to include being instrumental to the upgrade of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to University of Mining Engineering, Lafia Specialist Hospital to Teaching Hospital, and bringing the North Central Development Commission Headquarters to Lafia.
Umbugadu urged voters in Nasarawa State to vote wisely and not to be blindfolded with certain baits handed down by opposition parties.
“Vote for Wadada, vote for APC because APC is a continuum. That is where our expectation and hope lie come 2027,” he emphasised. (NAN)
