As the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Bauchi State Council holds a debate for Governorship candidates in the state, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of PDP promised to continue delivering infrastructure and life-supporting policies and programmes to the people of the state if reelected.
The Governor said over the last three years of the PDP administration in Bauchi, it is evident that the state saw a tremendous infrastructure revolution cutting across all sectors.
He said at the time his administration came on board in 2019, a baseline study was conducted where data-supported ideas were generated and are being used to drive socio-economic growth and development of the people of the state with visible multiplier results.
Bala said the policy thrust of his administration if reelected will be continuity rather than invention having pinpointed the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the state based on a ‘multi-dimensional approach.’
“The PDP has been here in Bauchi for the last three and a half years. When we came, we had a baseline study to know where we are, where we want to go and how we will go there.
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“We are not just extrapolating or guessing or being presumptuous. Our figures are based on data and information. We are not to malign anybody.
“Our achievements are tangible and measurable. We drew a line from where we took off from a clueless APC administration where everything has deteriorated in terms of services and infrastructure,” the governor said.
On his part, the APC gubernatorial candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (retired) said if elected Bauchi State Governor in March, his administration will place a premium emphasis and attention on revitalizing the education sector of the state.
He said it is unacceptable that Bauchi accounts for the highest number of out-of-school children in the country.
Sadique said governance is about human beings, therefore, there is a need to bridge the gap between the government and the governed.
“An APC government will create an enabling environment where the citizens will have the sense of ownership of governance itself. Governance is about humanity
“Currently what we have is a wide gap between those in positions of leadership and those that they are leading. Governance is about providing answers to fundamental problems of society,” he said.
Speaking, PRP Governorship candidate, Umar Farouk Gwadabe said if elected, he will pay special emphasis to fight corruption and budget embezzlement.
He said the rate at which food production stood in Bauchi, is unacceptable given the vast expense of land that the state has.
The debate was organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
No state or country can move further without paying attention to education.
It’s through quality education we produce good leaders and followers.
We also use education to tackle insecurity.
The said Boko Haram are against education because of the poor attention of our leaders in educational sector.