By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Hundreds of supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Niger state chapter on Wednesday converged at the party's state secretariat, along eastern by-pass, Minna to receive the governorship candidate, Alhaji Mohammed Mamman Nami.
Mohammed Nami, the former Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) was at the PDP state secretariat on a thank you visit to the PDP for giving him the opportunity to the party's flagbearer in next year's general elections.
Addressing party members and supporters, Mohammed Nami criticize the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago led All Progressive Congress (APC) administration for placing priority on projects that have mo bearing on alleviating the sufferings of citizens, but instead adding to their pains.
Nami who assured Nigerlites of better days ahead for citizens if voted into office as governor next year, lamented huge sums of money spent on the construction of flyovers while majority of the citizens could hardly afford a meal per day
Nami who vowed to investigate and ensure the recovery of all public funds and properties he alleged to have been acquired by the APC administration under Umaru Bago with state resources expressed sadness that Minna is still facing acute eater shortage despite severall water bodies surrounding it.
Nami who was accompanied during the thank-you visit by his running mate, Alhaji Dahiru Dan'azumi Abdul, told PDP leaders and other stakeholders at the party secretariat in Minna said issues of insecurity is becoming very alarming that farmers are afraid to go back to their farms for fears of bring butchered by armed bandits.
The PDP gubernatorial hopeful alleged that some of the properties were located in Abuja, Lagos, Dubai, Brazil, Washington, London amongst others, adding that any assets established to have been acquired with state public funds would be recovered if he becomes governor.
Proceeds from the recovered assets and properties, he said would be channelled into the development of Niger state, particularly in education, healthcare, youths and women employment, agriculture, human capital development, water supply and improved welfare for pensioners.
While pledging to strengthen accountability and ensure that public resources were used for projects and programmes that directly benefits citizens of the state, Nami expressed his commitments to having a Niger state that is working for everyone.
Nami said his commitments to public service was demonstrated during his tenure as Chairman of the FIRS, stressing that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him by the good people of Niger state.
The PDP candidate expressed concern over the security situation in the state, particularly the reported activities of armed bandits, kidnappings, killings and destruction of farmlands and other properties.
He also criticised what he termed, poor handling of some government activities, citing the most recent deaths at government House due to crowd surge by impoverished residents who gathered to receive money, as well as the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in NSCDC confinement.
He urged residents to remain peaceful and to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to express their anger and frustrations caused by the APC administration by making informed choice next year's general election rather than resorting to protests. NNL.
