I'M ON A RESCUE MISSION – SANKARA, SENATORIAL ASPIRANT

Senatorial ambition
Yes. I can confirm that it is true that I have been under enormous pressure from my people and some stakeholders in Jigawa State to contest the 2011 election on the platform of our great party, the PDP, to represent Jigawa North West Senatorial Constituency in the National Assembly. I see the development as a call to duty to provide effective representation, to improve the well being of the people of the constituency, Jigawa State, and the nation in general.

As you are aware, Jigawa North-West is made up of 12 local government areas, namely: Ringim, Kazaure, Taura, Gumel, Babura, Garki, Roni, Maigatari, Gagarawa, Gwiwa, Suletankarkar and Yankwashi. In reality, my constituency is about the largest in the federation. It has the highest number of local government areas. You can see that the challenges are indeed enormous, and I think the stakeholders have decided on me as their choice, after careful deliberations, based on their opinion that I have the capacity and focus to offer a rewarding representation.

Sources of strength
The power of the people and their determination to have a credible and responsive representation in the Senate. I think the support of my people will take me to the senate in 2011.

Quiting party office
The issue at stake is far beyond leading party structures in seven states in Nigeria. The reality is that I have been called upon for a rescue mission in my area, called upon to offer responsible leadership at the highest level of the law-making arm of government in Nigeria .

Personally, I think I have accepted the offer as a service, a desirable sacrifice to advance the legitimate yearnings and aspirations of my people.

Based on my own personal understanding of the concept and dynamics of service, it does not matter to me the profile, the prestige or the prospects of any particular office. The most important thing is the exigencies of time and where you can most effectively project and protect the interest of your people at any given circumstances and situations.

My inspiration
You guys are journalists and you are living in Jigawa State or in Kano State . You should know better if Jigawa North-West has experienced any form of desired representation at the Senate or if they have not. Secondly, I believe strongly that for the people to persistently insist that I must climb down to contest the Senate seat from my present office shows how passionate they are about the right candidature, and their readiness to support it. I have no option but to concede and submit to the request of the people, especially as they are the back-bone and focus of my political activities.

My vision
Apart from quality representation and legislation that would improve the lives of the people, I intend to improve upon the provision of amenities in the same manner with greater vigor as I did when I was chairman, board of directors of Hadejia Jamaare River Basin Development Authority (H-JRBDA) and the traditional goodwill across board to every nook and corner of Jigawa State, which has been the hallmark of my livelihood for over thirty years to date.

Faulty party congresses
Let me go straight to your question. None of the seven states in the North West Zone was listed among the ones INEC faulted in the conduct of the congresses. In fact, INEC specifically singled out Katsina, Kano and Zamfara States in the zone as the states where PDP congresses were conducted peacefully and successfully in line with the established standards of internal democracy. By this development, we have lived up to our pledge to enthrone internal democracy in our party. The INEC judgment on this issue is also a clear testimony of our initial resolve and determination to lay a solid foundation of acceptable democratic culture. By implication, we have also been able to lay the desired foundation to have credible election at all levels in the North-West zone in the coming 2011 general election.

I remember during my inaugural address when I was elected as the National Vice Chairman of our great party PDP for the North West Zone. That was precisely on the 4th of March 2008 in Kaduna. I specifically declared the resolve to enthrone internal democracy in the zone and glory be to Almighty God, that with the support of my zonal working committee, we have been able to live up to our vow, we have been able to live up to the expectation of the party, the people and indeed democracy.

North West PDP
Yes, you are right. But from where do you want me to begin? Okay, let me start by sincerely thanking our party members, supporters and leaders at all levels in the seven states that constitute the North West Zone for their uncommon support, and enormous goodwill extended to me and all the members of my Zonal Working Committee all the while. I must confess that I have been humbled by the genuine desire of these people to rally round the party leadership. And I enjoin everyone to remain steadfast and committed to ensure that we register comprehensive victory at the polls, at all levels of the 2011 general election.

Talking about my achievements, first of all, I have high regards for the peace, unity, stability and steady progress that have been recorded in all the seven states under the North West Zone. Secondly, we have no doubt enthroned internal democracy and cohesion in all the states chapters and at all levels of our party. One important issue that stands out since I took over in the zone is that we have recorded an unprecedented influx of membership portfolio. We have continued to record the admission of new entrants into the party at all levels, almost everyday.

Our chances are very bright. PDP is firmly rooted, the people appreciate the prospects of the party, and let me assure you that we are on ground sufficiently to ensure that we win in all the states in the North-west zone, and at all levels.