Daniel Atori
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Niger state, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed (SAN) has urged party members across the state to embark on grassroots mobilization of electorates towards the success of the party in 2027.
Ndarani stated this in Minna on Saturday at the party secretariat during the official presentation of the ex All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa who recently defected to the party with his supporters to the state working committee.
Ndarani appealed to the party supporters to focus mainly on issue based campaign to woo the electorates rather than character assassination of opposition candidates.
The gubernatorial candidate who was represented by the deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Japhet Pada, said “I encourage you to remain peaceful, united and committed to the democratic process. Politics should bring people together, not divide families, communities or friendships”.
He told members of the state working committee, party loyalists and supporters that the responsibility ahead of 2027 is enormous and therefore urged them to work hard and make genuine sacrifices towards the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections in the state.
According to him “I understand that leadership is not about occupying an office or enjoying the privileges of power. “Leadership is about service, accountability, justice, fairness and the ability to give people hope.”
He then assured that if voted into office in 2027, his administration will promote inclusiveness, transparency and respect for party structures, stressing that “We must build a system where loyalty, hard work, competence and commitment are recognised”.
“My commitment is to work with the party leadership, stakeholders and the people of Niger State to build a future where every citizen has a sense of belonging”, he added.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Barrister Buhari Yakubu Yerima, while formerly welcoming Vatsa and other defectors into the party, described him (Vatsa) as a man of honour and integrity whose grassroots experience will no doubt shape the party in the state.
According to him “we are happy to have him in the party, he will add value to the party. Since APC does not know his value and allow him to leave, SDP will utilize him effectively”.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman North Central of the party Hon. Araba Rufus urged members of the party that there must be unity of purpose among them, adding that “discipline and loyalty should be your watch ward if we must achieve success at the polls.”
Speaking shortly after he was presented to the state working committee, Vatsa said he left the ruling party because it has failed Nigerians, saying that the broom can no longer sweep.
He added that “the party has shown that it does not have the interest of the state at heart in all its policies.
“The APC administration in the state has failed in all aspects of human development. The administration is only focusing on personal enrichment to the detriment of public works”.
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