….Assures of fairness to all.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Hon. Jonathan Asake, has assured the Muslim Ummah of his administration’s readiness to operate on the principles of fairness, equity and justice as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
Asake gave the assurance at the weekend in Zaria when he met with Muslim clerics along with his running mate, Rt. Hon Bashir Aliyu Idris, in continuation of their dialogue with stakeholders in the state.
He said, as religious leaders who control large followers – majority of who have been affected by the wrong policies of the APC government – it was imperative to seek their prayers, support and interact on the way forward for the state.
The governorship flag-bearer said he will defend the rights of every citizen to exercise their socio-cultural and religious freedom at all times, adding that inclusiveness will be his watch word.
A press release made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday by media aide to the governorship candidate, James Swam, is urging the clerics to deeply reflect on the prevailing economic and security situations of the state and preach the truth so that the electorate would understand what choice to make on March 11.
“I came to unveil myself to you, to seek your prayers and support to succeed in becoming the Governor of Kaduna State, come March 11, so that together we could secure the state and restore hope to the people.
“I will be fair and just to all citizens and segments of the state. I will rule by the principles of justice as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, as amended. I will defend all and promote all, and each person will exercise their freedom as the constitution permits,” the release also quoted the governorship candidate.
He, however, lamented that poverty, unemployment, banditry, kidnapping, ethnic and religious conflicts were the result of bad leadership in the state, and pledged to reverse the trends “within a record time in office.”
He said when leaders do not operate on the basis of inclusiveness and empathy, the society is bound to experience decline in all ramifications.
Asake told the Islamic clerics that only the LP has the family as its centerpiece as emphasized on its logo – showing a father, mother and child.
He said as the party of the working class and the downtrodden, the people of the state would not regret voting the Labour Party, LP.
Imam Shugaba Abdulhamid Muhammad, a cleric who spoke for others, urged the governorship candidate to keep to his promise, adding that it is important “to operate an open door policy,” in order to be accessible to the common man.
He lamented a situation where leaders get elected and shut their doors behind electorates, saying, “If we see failure in your policy implementation, we shall express displeasure openly.”
