By Terna Chikpa
A 2023 governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Prof. Joseph Albasu Kunini, has declared his intention to contest for the Lau State Constituency seat in the State House of Assembly.
Prof. Kunini, the immediate past Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, contested the 2023 governorship election but lost at the PDP primaries after emerging second behind Governor Agbu Kefas.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that Prof. Kunini had previously served as a member of the State Assembly for three consecutive terms before testing his popularity in the 2023 governorship race.
Speaking on Saturday, the former Speaker said his decision followed a unanimous resolution by stakeholders, who purchased the APC expression of interest and nomination forms for him and urged him to shelve his ambition to contest for a federal seat.
Kunini disclosed that he had initially planned to contest for the Lau/Karim Lamido and Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives after spending many years in the State Assembly.
“After a long period in the State House of Assembly, I had decided to contest for the Lau/Karim Lamido and Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, but stakeholders have asked me to shelve that ambition and recontest for the State Assembly seat.
“My plan ahead of 2027, after losing the 2023 PDP governorship primaries to Governor Kefas, was to run for the House of Representatives. I had gone far with consultations, but since my people have decided and purchased forms for me to recontest the State Assembly seat, I have no choice but to accept,” Kunini said.
The former PDP governorship aspirant emphasised that he is a servant of the people and would not place personal ambition above their wishes.
“My political ambitions can never be more important than the choice of my people. I am a servant and will always align with their desires.
“Despite my initial plans, I cannot turn down the sacrifices of my stakeholders. I have listened and agreed with their decision,” he added.
Earlier, Hon. Emmanuel Umar, leader of the delegation, said the stakeholders’ decision followed extensive consultations across the constituency.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Albasu Kunini Campaign Organisation, Hon. Gelishion Bethuel, and a former Chairman of Lau Local Government, Hon. Nicholas Nwani-Yafinwani, noted that the decision was based on Kunini’s track record in the State Assembly.
