APC candidate in the February gubernatorial election in Kaduna State and former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai, has pledged to chart a new path of development for the state. SAMUEL OYEJOLA writes
The stage is set for the February elections and the various political parties have started crossing the ‘T’s and doting the ‘I’s in their preparations for the elective posts. In Kaduna, the gubernatorial tussle would be an interesting watch for political analysts as the incumbent governor Muktar Ramalan Yero would be slugging it out with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nassir elRufai.
Interestingly as it seems, the two gladiators would be going to the poll as first timers in the election. While the incumbent seeks the voters nod for continuity as the governor of the state since he took over in the wake of the death of his principal, Patrick Yakowa in 2012, Mallam el-Rufai is banking on his track record as an astute administrator with evidence in various offices at the federal level.
Before now, el-Rufai served as an adviser in the transitional committee set up by General Abdusalam Abubakar during the preparation to handover power to a democratic government in 1999.
Although, el-Rufai has not occupied any elective position since he joined politics in the 80’s he would be riding on the glamour of successful assignments as the Director General of the BPP during the Obasanjo’s administration when he oversees the privatization of most of the government investments. In fact, his political career approached climax as a minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and he saw to the restoration of the Abuja Master plan.
If the manifesto of the APC is anything to go by, he would be expected to provide free education to the children in the state, a state that is not uncommon with high level of illiteracy and nonchalant approach to education of the young ones. el-Rufai will be faced with the task of ensuring that out of school children in Kaduna are enrolled back in school.
“What Kaduna needs are better schools, health facilities and productive farms in an atmosphere of improved peace and security; that will be the focus of APC’s efforts not the scaremongering of impending demolitions!” he said.
“The APC Kaduna Team is ready to provide a government guided by fairness, passion and commitment. I am proud to be a member of this team, and I will discharge my leadership role within it with the vision, integrity and results-orientation that have been the hallmark of my public service,’’ the former minister had said.
A factor, which would work for elRufai is his association with the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhamadu Buhari.
Nassir elRufai
Buhari, who stood by the former FCT Minster, said that el-Rufai has competence, integrity and courage; virtues that the presidential candidate expects the people to look out for in their candidate. He said the people of Kaduna would be doing themselves and posterity a lot of good if they support and vote for el-Rufai as governor of the state.
To show the seriousness to transform the state and set them free from the oppression of the PDP led government in the state, el-Rufai consulted widely with the people, including traditional rulers, respected elders and public officials, who could speak, as well as ordinary people who relied on people to speak for them.
To el-Rufai, the consultations were to listen to the people and understand what they wanted from the state government and decide how the government and the people could work together to develop the state. This singular initiative to analysts is an indication that a Kaduna state government led by elRufai would be people-oriented in the development of the state.
Not only is el-Rufai riding on the crest of Buhari’s popularity, he also has going for him his own personal track record of efficiency. In his view, the state needs well equipped hospitals and clinics and resources to mitigate the challenges of healthcare, renovation of schools with provision of basic teaching and learning tools, with motivated teachers; improved agricultural productivity, motivated civil servants and proactive internally generated revenue, with accessible road network that have eluded the state in general.
“We take seriously our duty to work for a harmonious society where our people and their talents will thrive in peace, confident in the equality of their treatment as citizens by a government committed to social justice.
“We are ready to make Kaduna State great again. We have pondered on how our dear state came to this dire condition.
“ We have sweated on rescue options, discussed symptoms, diagnosis and solutions with various constituencies across the state. Based on these engagements, the APC Kaduna Team has already presented a draft manifesto.
“That document is by no means the end of the conversation; rather it helps to further structure the conversation around the most optimal policies and programmes. It is also a clear indication of the values that will guide an APC government in our state.
“Our programme is extensive, the challenge is huge but we are making the mental and political effort to be ready to affect coherent governance from the very first day in office,’’ he had said.
