Governorship aspirants on the platform of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pledged to deliver dividends of democracy, provide employment and tackle out of school children, if elected.
The aspirants who were screened on Tuesday also promised to provide empowerment and infrastructure to the people.
Immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who is contesting for Kebbi State governorship, listed his programme to include youth empowerment, security of the people of Kebbi State, social and economic welfare of the people of the state, skill acquisition and food production through reformation of agriculture.
Abdullahi, who aspired to be the governor of Kebbi State in 2023 but came second in the PDP primary, said he would not allow the mistake “that was made or the few losses in terms of votes” that he encountered in 2022 to repeat itself.
He pledged to connect with the people, particularly the youth “whose future has been jeopardised…by the powers that be.”
The aspirant also promised to tackle the issue of the almajiri problem, recalling how the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan had attempted to provide education opportunities to this set of Nigerians.
“They will be educated there, and they will be provided with job opportunities.
“We are living in a competitive world. So, one of the things to do is to concentrate fully on education, ensure that you mop them out there from the streets and get them trained, basically, so that they will be able to put themselves to use.
“An idle mind is a devil’s workshop, and if you are not literate, you will not be able to fit in the system,” he stated.
Former Minister of Labour, Senator Joel Ikenya, who is a Taraba State governorship aspirant, said it is the right time for him to be the governor of the state.
“I’ve run before. I believe that this is the right time for me, and I have a lot for our people especially,” he said, stating that Taraba State, being an agrarian state, he would be able to pull the people out of poverty.
The aspirant also promised to tackle insecurity by collaborating with security agencies.
Benedict Etanabene who is a Delta State governorship aspirant, promised to create jobs, build healthcare, rehabilitate dilapidated school structures and provide a clear water supply.
“I have the desire to make every local government employ a minimum of 500 persons,” he said
Yobe State governorship aspirant Sharif Abdullahi noted that the state is among the backward states in Nigeria, but promised to improve the education and agricultural sectors if elected.
“I will make sure I improve on the educational sector, on the health sector, and on the agricultural sector.
“We have done it before, and we are going to improve on that,” he said.
