2027 election will not be about party, but about individuals’ suitability – Sani

Ahmed Sani is a strong contender for the Gombi Constituency in Gombi Local Government of Adamawa State for the state House of Assembly. He is running on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In this interview, he spoke on his plans to offer quality representation if elected in 2027. EMMANUEL SALAWU brings the excerpts:

Why do you want to run for the seat in Adamawa State House of Assembly to represent Gombi Constituency, come 2027?

Well, the good people of Gombi Constituency in Adamawa State should I say deserve adequate representation, someone that knows the real problems of his people. And to begin with, I studied law and being a legislator is always what I wanted to be because I know how to draft bills and more.

So, why do you think that the people of Gombi Constituency should entrust you with that office?

Honestly, I don’t think there is any other candidate more suited than me for now, because I have studied and have been practically everywhere in the world in pursuit of knowledge and business. I am an established businessman in Abuja; the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and they know that I am not going there for my personal interests or benefits but rather to see that our Local government and Constituency are propelled for achievements and development. We have a lot of people that are educated but don’t have jobs, women are there with no empowerment skills, there is no proper healthcare, no good roads and all these things can be achieved or done with adequate legislative bills and also conveyance of our problems to the government.

I think I can push for these programmes with whomever is in government for the benefits of my people and the state, even at the federal level, I am capable of speaking for my people at large.

Why do you think the people Gombi constituency will consider your track record, giving the realities of Nigerian politics?

Well, to be frank with you, I think I have a stellar record of community development and empowerment of youths and women. I think I have brought about fifteen youths from Gombi to Abuja and given them jobs and this is done without being in government.

However, I have used my own company in Abuja to assist and create jobs and also helped my constituency. Apart from that, I have helped people in my constituency in small and medium scale business. I have also tried to help students in their educational pursuit and participated in feeding programmes within my area.

I have distributed fertilizers to farmers and empowered farmers with other farming tools to enhance their livelihood. So, my records with my people should speak for me and they know that I am not going there for my own interest.

Moreso, my father was once a legislator in the Second Republic and his own records speak as well and so, I think it is fair for them to give me that mantle for adequate legislative representation in 2027 for the good people of Gombi Constituency, because I want a system where I will be held accountable for every action I take. I want to be transparent and accountable for my actions.

Historically, Adamawa State is not Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) state; why do you think the people will give the new party a chance in 2027?

I think in 2027, it is going to be a different ball game because the people of Nigeria, not just Adamawa State, have seen that it is not about party politics anymore, now it is about individual character because majority of our past political activities have been about party politics but now, I tell you it is who you are. Our Nigerian politics and party are not ideologically based but rather it is fellowship of individuals. The All Progressives Congress (APC) you see today is the fellowship of the late Muhammadu Buhari and the current people you see in NDC today, which is myself, Abdulahi Ahmed, Speaker, Hajiya Binani, Hajiya Larai and our party leader, Seriake Dickson, our records speak for themselves. We are here to grant and offer service to the people of Nigeria.

Are you not scared of the number and caliber of aspirants in ADC, Labour Party, PDP and APC in the House of Assembly race in Gombi Constituency?

No. It is not something to be scared of. I think that with adequate awareness from the media and others, I think we can do something that has never been done before in Adamawa State or Gombi entirely. For the first time in party politics we are seeing a very large number of contestants which I think we should sit down in a round table to have a talk on how to see the capabilities of a person and the general public will then know where to cast their votes which is not about religion, selfish interests or tribe but rather for the benefits of the people to know who will pay the price of the pains of the people and be there for the good and bad of Gombi Constituency to represent them well.

It is not about your party because today I can be in NDC and tomorrow I might find myself elsewhere; but in politics your credibility matters a lot to your own people. The fellowship of your people depends on what you give them and who you are, and if you have compassion, it sidelines everything else.

What have you identified as the three major problems in your constituency, and how do you intend to fix them if elected as member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly?

I will focus my priority on empowerment of youths and women because a lot of the youth and women are left behind. So, I will facilitate avenues for them to get loans for them to be able to farm and for market women also because if you feed a woman, you are not feeding a family but you are feeding an entire generation but when you feed a man it is his family. So, I will focus on youths and women with empowerment skills and business.

Secondly, I will encourage girl child education and massive enrollment of children into primary and secondary education as well as source for scholarships for deserving students at all levels, and also rehabilitate school buildings, provide textbooks. So, when you develop students from primary and secondary schools they will want to learn more and that is what pushes society forward.

Then, the rest will be the development of infrastructure like roads, hospitals and primary healthcare system should as well take prominent role because no society moves forward with poor road infrastructure. Our people need good roads to move and transport their farm produce and goods.

I witnessed a woman give birth at home because of poor road network and lack of good healthcare system.

You have touched lives as ordinary Nigerian. How do you intend to continue if you are elected a legislator come 2027?

I will continue by looking for opportunities to grant jobs both at Federal and State levels to enhance development. And also create skill acquisition centres for the youth. I think we can create a system whereby monthly we can grant jobs for at least ten people in our constituency.

How will you address the issue of healthcare and take it to their door step especially maternal mortality?

It is important but if you put your mind into it, it is practically simple because there are lots of doctors, midwives and nurses around you can deploy to the rural areas with adequate care where you will see that healthcare facilities are established through Constituency Projects and you partner with NGOs and these are things I will do if elected.

What is your relationship with other aspirants in the race?

I have a very good relationship with them no matter their political party because the interest is for our people first before individual interest.

How would you assist the fight against insecurity if elected in 2027?

Thank you very much for this question because insecurity has become a big problem that needs a collective effort for every Nigerian to fight it seriously. Therefore, I will assist by providing the necessary equipment that will help the security agencies and vigilantes to do their work effectively.

What is your message to Adamawa people as 2027 approaches fast?

I call on my people in Adamawa State to get their voters cards ready to vote and defend their votes. I will also ask them to be peaceful in their conducts. I will also call on Nigerians to vote for NDC from Presidency, Senate, House of Representative and House Assembly in all the states of the federation.