By Terna Chikpa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the House of Representatives in Taraba State, Hon. Ibrahim Adam Imam, has said rising poverty among youths and other socio-economic challenges inspired his decision to contest for the National Assembly.
Imam, who is seeking to represent Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency, also claimed that constituents were dissatisfied with what he described as the poor representation of the incumbent lawmaker, Prince Abbas, and were seeking a positive change that would attract development to the area.
The PDP candidate, who spoke with journalists at his residence in Jalingo on Sunday, lamented that poor representation had contributed to the growing number of young people resorting to begging and criminal activities for survival.
He pledged to promote job creation and skills acquisition for youths and women as part of efforts to tackle rising poverty and insecurity in the constituency.
Imam said his experience as a former state lawmaker and commissioner would enable him to sponsor legislation addressing the challenges facing his constituents, attract development projects and perform effective oversight functions.
“My experience as a former lawmaker and commissioner will enable me to enact legislation that will address problems and advance the development of the constituency, as well as carry out oversight functions to promote good governance,” he said.
He added, “I am contesting to tackle the growing poverty that is dragging our youths into vices. My desire is to attract development to the constituency and transform the living conditions of the constituents.
“The constituents are not happy with the poor representation of the current member, Prince Abbas, and are calling for a positive change.”
The former lawmaker said his achievements during his four-year tenure in the Taraba State House of Assembly demonstrated his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents.
“My legacies are visible. My four years in the State House of Assembly have left unprecedented legacies that generations would continue to benefit from,” he said.
Imam said he executed projects across the wards that made up the Jalingo I State Constituency, including the construction of maternity clinics in Turaki A and Sintelin wards.
He also said he established a computer training centre that had graduated more than 2,000 people in different skills and helped 105 youths secure employment.
According to him, his ambition is to create opportunities for unemployed youths and reduce poverty among constituents.
“My ambition is to build the future for unemployed youths and alleviate poverty among constituents. I want my constituents to understand and choose the path of building a greater future for the people to thrive,” he said.
Imam lamented that people-oriented representation had eluded the constituency for a long time, adding that his close relationship with residents had given him an understanding of the needs of the various ethnic groups in the area.
He pledged to improve education and healthcare across Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency by attracting facilities, digital learning resources and modern medical equipment.
The PDP candidate also promised to prioritise infrastructure and youth empowerment through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, government agencies and National Assembly committees to attract federal projects, including roads, boreholes and electricity connections to farmlands and communities.
He said he would also seek to establish federal skills acquisition centres where small-scale entrepreneurs could access loans, while promoting agricultural value chain support for youths and women.
Imam urged Taraba residents to vote out leaders he described as unsuccessful in delivering infrastructure and economic development.
He also endorsed Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the best candidate to become governor of Taraba State in the 2027 election.
