From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kano, Alhaji Salihu Tanko Yakasai, on Wednesday, declared that his party has the capacity to win elections in Kano, even with the presence of big parties like the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I am not afraid of the big parties, rather, they are afraid of us,” he declared.
Salihu, son of Elder statesman and Second Republic Political Adviser to the late President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, spoke at Kano NUJ Press Centre, during the 2023 Dialogue Series with politicians, organized by Kano NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel.
“In Kano, PRP is not a new party. It is not a small party. It is a party that was formed in 1978 and won elections in 1979. We have gone round the 44 Local Government Areas in Kano State. We have reminded the people that PRP is still alive, and they have promised to vote for us.
“I am not afraid of the big political parties. People have seen them and what they have to offer. The generality of Nigerians are tired of APC and PDP. Nigerians want change. Nigerians are voting individuals, not big political parties.
“The PDP and APC are birds of the same feathers. The PRP has the capacity, competence and ability to win elections, particularly, here in Kano State.
“We are also reaching out to the huge voting demography of the youths and they have assured us of their votes and support. It is also important to highlight the fact that over 97 per cent of PRP candidates are youths.
“Another thing that is giving me confidence is the level of preparedness by INEC. INEC has demonstrated that they are fully prepared for the 2023 election.
“We are also happy because of the Electoral Act. I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for signing it into law. Now, it will be difficult to rig elections in Nigeria. I am assuring the people that they will surely get what they vote. If they vote for me, they will get me as their governor, if they vote for another person, that is surely what they will get,” he said.
He, however, expressed reservations over the issue of vote-buying, but hoped that in 2023, Nigerians will no longer be lured into voting against their conscious because of peanuts from politicians.
Salihu said his manifesto is anchored on Vision 2033 to make Kano centre of commercial excellence in West Africa.
In doing so, the PRP governorship candidate designed his blueprint to work towards boosting Kano economy through Public Private Partnership (PRP), infrastructural development, concentration on primary education, concentration on primary healthcare, industrialization, agriculture, security, Internally Generated Revenue drive, youth and women empowerment.
He also spoke passionately about offsetting arrears of allowances owed pensioners and promotion of the welfare of civil servants, as well as the entire reformation of the public sector, including the judiciary.
Salihu said his government will not only ensure that Kano has its own airline, just like Akwa Ibom state, but will also ensure the creation of the Ministry of Energy to generate enough power supply both for domestic and industrial use.
While commending Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for completing projects left by his predecessors, Salihu said if elected, his government will not abandon any uncompleted project that is meaningful to the masses, particularly, the proposed light rail project, which he described as very important for an economic city like Kano.
Salihu, who once served in Ganduje’s government as the Director General on Media, but was relieved of his duties over comments deemed confrontational to President Muhammadu Buhari, said he still sees his former boss, Ganduje, as a father.
“I respect Governor Ganduje. My relationship with him was and is still like that of a father and a son. Now, I am in a different political party, but he is still like a father to me. I will not back-stab Governor Ganduje because of politics.”
