I’m optimistic Atiku will be winner of Saturday presidential poll - Shekarau

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The senator representing Kano Central Senatorial Zone, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, expressed confidence on Wednesday in Kano State that the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will emerge victorious during Saturday’s election.

Shekarau stated this on Tuesday during a media interactive session heralding his book launch event.

The two books, “Exemplary Leadership & Effective Representation” and “The Making of a Green Revolution through the Transformation of Smallholder Agriculture in Kano State, Nigeria,” highlighted his achievements in the Senate.

The ex-Kano state governor and former education minister, who expressed optimism about Atiku’s victory, disclosed that Atiku has already unfolded his blueprint, which contains five priority areas, as a launch pad to pilot the country to the promised land.

“Among other disturbing challenges, Atiku is already working toward addressing the untold hardship the citizenry is currently undergoing following the currency swap, the scarcity of cash, and the controversial deadline when the old naira notes cease to be legal tender,” he said.

While responding to a question on the occasion, Shekarau dismissed incumbency advantage as immaterial and irrelevant to clinching victory in elections.

“Any serious politician cannot pass judgment, following the unprecedented crowd that besieged its campaign rally.

“It is just a jamboree, as rallies are simply symbolic outreach. The incumbent factor does not scare the PDP.”

“PDP is very ready for the presidential race, alongside other elective offices in the country.

The PDP is the readiest for the General elections of all the political parties in the country, as all relevant staff has been trained to main the various polling units.

Atiku has concluded his election campaigns, which took him to all 36 states of the country, marketing the five-point blueprint of the PDP.

According to Shekarau, topmost on Atiku’s agenda is to ensure the unity of the country as well as restructure the country, stressing that if there is no unity, there cannot be peace, just as he promised to revisit the devolution of power, which the late General Sani Abacha proposed to implement but failed to do so due to his sudden death.

He disclosed that Atiku will achieve this dynamic goal by evenly spreading appointments to all ethnic and diverse tribes within the polity on an equal basis, irrespective of their political affiliations, when he clinches the presidential seat.

“If there is no unity, there cannot be peace. I will put aside religious and tribal sentiments by spreading appointments across all ethnic and tribal groups, as well as treating all Nigerians as one single and indivisible entity.

“Apart from that, Atiku, as a matter of priority, will tackle security headlong by ensuring comprehensive training for all security personnel in the country.”

“Besides providing them with adequate incentives to remain committed to their duties, Atiku assured that they will also be provided with modern equipment with which to ensure peace and security.”

“With the series of meetings held with security agencies, I am confident that they possess the capacity and are ready to ensure peaceful, free, and fair elections,” he added.

Kaduna Guber: I remain authentic candidate of ADP - Sani Sha’aban

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Former chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Mallam

Sani Sha’aban, has said that he remains the authentic Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the forthcoming general election.

Sha’aban made this known while fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the agenda One on One Policy Dialogue, a program organized by Civil Society Groups in Kaduna state on Tuesday.

He alleged that a lot of political actors are trying everything possible to ensure he does not emerge in any political party, the same way he was sabotaged from the Hausa Programme during the Kaduna Guber candidates, noting that unknown to them, the process that produced him was witnessed by relevant agencies.

Don’t use your position to intimidate electorates, Forum tasks security agencies

By Abubakar Ojimaojo

Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) has called on all security agencies to prioritize the protection of lives and property.

The forum in partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with the recent launch of the N-Alerts app to ensure the safety of Nigerians at the 2023 polls urged all Civil Society Organizations deploying observers to make use of the N-Alerts as part of the measures to combat violence against women in the forthcoming elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the President of the forum Ebere Ifendu also called on all Nigerian citizens who are eligible to vote to come out, vote peacefully, and protect their vote.