John Shiklam in Kaduna
In one of his first public acts since assuming the governorship last
Sunday, the new governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, saturday
addressed a stakeholders’ meeting
of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in Kaduna. The meeting,
summoned by the governor, had in attendance Vice President Namadi Sambo,
who is a former governor of the state, and key members of the party in
the state.
Yero was sworn in as governor following the death of Governor Patrick
Yakowa, Sambo’s successor, in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State
penultimate Saturday.
The governor told the meeting that a new deputy governor would soon
be appointed for the state. He asked for the contribution of the
stakeholders in picking the person to fill the post he left only last
Sunday.
Yero addressed the gathering in the Hausa language for what he said
was meant for those who could not understand the English language to
follow the discussion.
He appealed to the stakeholders for support and cooperation to carry
on from where Yakowa stopped, assuring that he would complete all
projects initiated by his former boss. The governor also pledged to
implement the 2013 budget, which Yakowa had recently presented to the
House of Assembly, if it is approved by the legislature.
Addressing the meeting, Sambo asked the new governor to carry all
stakeholders of the ruling party in the state along in his leadership so
as to move the state forward. He commiserated with the stakeholders
over the death of Yakowa, stressing that PDP in Kaduna State has come a
long way and everything must be done to ensure the party’s continued
cohesion.
The vice president noted that since 1999 PDP delivered its promises and manifestos to the people of the state.
“We are gathered here to mourn our brother and in the spirit of oneness,
unite our people and ensure peace and stability. I call on the governor
to rally round stakeholders to move the state forward and achieve
greatness.
“I urge you all not to rest on your oars, to work towards the
progress of the state. President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that he
will continue to support Kaduna State,” Sambo said.
Also speaking, the chairman of PDP in the state, Ambassador Nuhu
Bajoga, said the meeting, which he described as solemn, was summoned by
Yero to look at ways of strengthening the bonds of unity within the
party and continuing the good works of the late governor.
He recalled that PDP in the state had recorded resounding successes, as
exemplified by the recent local government elections in the state.
“Your Excellency is on a familiar terrain, and we believe that the bonds of mutual cooperation, which existed under
the leadership of our late leader, will continue to flourish for the
benefit of our party, in particular, and the good people of Kaduna
State,” Bajoga said.
Those that attended the meeting included Nigeria’s High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom, Senator Dalhatu Sarki Tafida; Senator Isaiah
Balat; former chairmen of PDP in the state, Alhaji Makama Rigachikun;
Alhaji Ya’u Usman; Senator Nenadi Usman; Alhaji Suleiman Hunkuyi;
National Organising Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; Hon.
Yakubu Barde; and Hon. Gideon Gaiya.
Also in attendance were two of those being widely thought to be
likely nominees for the position of deputy governor: Hon. Jonathan Asake
and Rev. Joseph Hayab.
However, Hayab told newsmen after the stakeholders’ meeting held at
the Hassan Katsina House, Kawo, Kaduna, that he was not interested in
the deputy governorship position. He said people should stop mentioning
his name.
“I didn’t say I am looking for the position. Please, remove my name from the list,” Hayab said.
Culled: Thisday
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