Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State, Chief Haddi Ametuo speaks on why the people should vote for their Prince Abubakar Audu. JOSEPH JIBUEZE met him.
What do you think stands Abubakar Audu out from other candidates?
A well-educated man, Audu transformed this state when he was in government between 1999 and 2003. He was named best governor. He has experience and he is a wonderful administrator. Development stopped in Kogi when Audu left in 2003. Ask an average Kogite. PDP, in nine years, could not do a quarter of what Audu did in four years. There is no project that the Ibrahim Idris administration can point to as its achievement in nine years. Audu was getting about N350million federal allocation compared to about N20billion that Idris has been receiving. Yet there is nothing to show for it. PDP government has taken us back 30 years, but their end will come on Saturday.
Do you think Audu’s promise of power shift will help his cause?
Audu will serve for only four years as required by the Constitution. Power shift to former Kwara, that is Central and West, is realisable with him. We believe we are brothers and they also deserve to produce a governor. But should PDP’s candidate win, he will seek a second term. And what stops Idris’ son from attempting to take over from Wada when Wada’s tenure expires? So, where will that leave Central and West? That is why they (central and west) should vote ACN on Saturday.
How strong is your faith in the electoral umpire?
We have confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Prof Attahiru Jega. What we need is free and fair election. But Jega cannot be everywhere. But I expect INEC to correct the lapses experienced in the last election on Saturday. Jega has to warn INEC officials and the corps members, because those are the people PDP is planning to use to rig. They are planning to buy the police, but I urge the security agencies to do their job fairly. I understand that the PDP is planning to use policemen as liaison between them and corps members at polling units. But we re-iterate that should we catch anyone – because we will be alert – that will be the end of the person’s career.
What specific lapses should INEC correct?
They should monitor their officers more closely. I urge those electoral officers to be guided by their conscience and not be swayed by monetary inducement. Same with police. It’s not about Jega. Some of the corps members may think this is an opportunity to make money. When they are given money, they will start changing figures. PDP’s plan is to thumbprint ballot papers somewhere, maybe in the Government House. The leaders will give it to their thugs, who will drop it in ballot boxes while pretending to vote. So INEC officials have to be on the alert.
Do you foresee an election devoid of violence?
You know our national leaders have spoken. They are well-connected. They have said the PDP is stockpiling arms and sewing army uniforms to be worn by their thugs to intimate voters. We in Kogi know it is true. We know what PDP can do. I am aware they are holding series of meetings, planning to scuttle the peoples’ will using thugs and amenable security agents. But God will catch them. And any fake soldier we catch that day, I am very sorry for such a person. We will be ready for them because we will be very vigilant. We are not going to take it easy with them. But we as a party do not believe in violence and we don’t encourage it. PDP’s plan will only backfire. I know the state police commissioner will not descend so low to do PDP’s bidding.
Do you think your party has done enough to win?
It is the PDP that feels intimidated by the massive support we receive. If they think they can rig, they will only rig themselves out. We have the structure to defeat PDP. The people are behind us. They want change.
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‘PDP’s end in Kogi will come on Saturday’