Barrister Joel Adamu Jogafa, the chairman People’s Democratic Party, Gombe state. In this chat with our Gombe Correspondent Chima Azubuike, explains why the result will be in their favour, his candidate , Gombe and Nigeria.
Why was the election suspended by INEC?
INEC is yet yo tell Nigerians why it postponed the election. The commissioned waited to the very last minute, because it kept assuring Nigerians that all was well. Times without number the chairman told Nigerians and the international community that election will be conducted as scheduled.
But as a key player, and main opposition party in Nigeria. PDP must have done it investigation about the actual reason for it postponement?
Investigation about what, Nigerians know there is no difference between APC and INEC. INEC is acting the script of APC. somebody, somewhere is dictating the decisions of INEC.
The president has announced how surprised he was at the announcement of postponement of the election, as he heard like any other Nigerian?
The president has the right to say so. How can the INEC chairman take such decision without his knowledge. It is however unfortunate. He is the commander- in- chief.
Is the postponement likely going to bring about changes, perhaps utter changes?
It is obvious, perhaps they have not finished perfecting their skills. We are ready. PDP is ever ready what they did has swayed sympathy to the PDP. Everyone knows they are up to a mischief.
How do you see the voter turn out?
Nigerians and indeed the people of Gombe are ready. They are eager to exercise their franchise. That is one of the things APC hoped to achieve by using INEC to postpone the election. We are calling on Nigerians they must not be deterred. At the end PDP will triumph.
We have had over 16 years of PDP in Gombe state, why should the electorates vote for your candidate?
You must have gone around the state. You will notice the level of transformation going on in Gombe. An average Gombe resident yearns for continuity. Nafada is vast he started here in the house of Assembly, before going to the National Assembly. you can’t compare him with Inuwa of the APC who was merely a commissioner, what does he know about governance.
There is this notion that Bayero Usman Nafada, is incompetent and has risen this far out of sheer Providence, unlike his APC counterpart who is a successful businessman?
Nafada is the most competent candidate. He will combine his legislative know how to govern Gombe state. How many people has Inuwa employed, he is only managing his Fathers business. His father had told Gombe people he was in Gombe to make money. It is the Gubernatorial candidate of APC that has ridden on his Father’s legacy.
What is that distinguishing reason why your candidate is most competent?
He understands the continuity agenda of this current administration. It will be a colossal mistake to give the vote to someone else.
How well has Gombe South benefited from the PDP led government?
Hitherto to Dr. Dankwanbo, becoming governor for instance Balanga lacked good road but the reversed is the case now. Prior to now federal roads were abandoned, it took 2hours to get to balanga unlike now tgat it takes just 45 minutes. Government has touched all sphere of life from education, good road. Biliri / Dogoruwa road.
This government is believed to be embacking on elephant projects such as the 7billion international conference centre and so on?
That is not true. The impact of this government has being felt across all sectors from education, agriculture, economy and so on. The conference centre is a necessity Gombe is making progress. We have international airport, hotels. With time we will recover the money used in building the International Conference centre from IGR.
What has given Gombe peace ?
We thank God for Alh. Dr. Ibrahim Dankwanbo before this time we had something known as “Kalari” foot soldiers trained by Senator Goje, they were allowed to go into offices in demand of money. Dankwanbo, dismantled their strategy and in his wisdom he turned into “Marshals ” and he put them on pay roll.
It is believed that President Buhari, should be appreciated for the seeming peace of the land?
What peace, has he wiped away the boko haram menace. Zamfara, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue still boils. The kidnappers are still having a filled day.
