2027: Why I want to govern Kaduna State on ADP platform, by Yayock

John Yayock Solomon, a politician and 2023 deputy governorship candidate, human rights activist, and public administration professional based in Kaduna State, in this exclusive interview with AKOMBO AONDONA, spoke about his ambition to govern Kaduna State. Excerpts:

Why do you want to govern Kaduna State?

If you look at the current issues and challenges bedevilling Kaduna State, we have the issue of insecurity, and by the grace of God I am a security expert and with the knowledge I have and other colleagues and friends both in and outside the shores of Nigeria, if given the opportunity to serve the people of Kaduna State as governor, all of these people will come together and we will discuss a way out to find lasting solutions to the insecurity challenges in Kaduna State. Also, the health care system of Kaduna State is facing serious challenges, and is a sector I’ll also invest in to ensure that it is well taken care of. The hospitals will be equipped, renovated, not just in the urban cities, but also in the rural areas because that is where you have maternal mortality death and other challenges in the healthcare services. I will ensure that the people of Kaduna State enjoy free and quality health services.

Why did you choose to run on the platform of Action Democratic Party out of the 22 political platforms in Nigeria?

Well, yes you are right. We have 22 political parties or more because more are still coming, they exist in Kaduna State. Why I chose ADP is because it is the call from my people that we should come out and run for the governorship position in Kaduna State. We chose ADP because it is one political party that we have researched and understood that it’s crisis-free, a credible alternative where one can run for a political position without being witch-hunted or without facing any political manoeuvring that will bring crisis like other political parties are facing today in Kaduna State. There are divisions and all kinds of scheming but in the Acton Democratic Party, the system here is quite free and accepting.

How can you assess the party’s presidential primary that saw Aliyu Abbas emerge as an ADP presidential candidate?

Aliyu Bin Abbas is someone I have known for years. We had run some movements together with him in Nigeria and outside the country and he is a very close friend. I know him as a person that will deliver if elected as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The process in ADP is a normal process in politics. Since it’s politics, it is not an abnormal process. The process that brought him is purely politicking. Even in our various houses today we experience some challenges. So, I see the process that makes him emerge as a presidential candidate of the party as a direct politicking process and is okay. I know that will not bring any negative effect to the party. I give kudos to the ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who is a man of his words, integrity and the man of the people. He allows the will of the people to prevail. It can’t happen in other political parties but it happened today in ADP.

How can you challenge the incumbent governor, Uba Sani of the APC?

We are willing and committed in the process that will make us win Kaduna governorship election for ADP. But if I should come out to start giving out his weaknesses, that means, I am giving him strength, and we can’t have our way during election. So, his weaknesses are our strength. We campaign against it and tell the people when the time comes.