In what could upset Edo North politics in the next few months and further fortify youths engagement in the polity, Engr. Abu Abdulganiyu has signified interest to contest the 2023 election to the Etsako Federal Constituency as he made public declaration of his ambition in his home town, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State, recently to bite the bullet.
On Good Friday of April 15, 2022, 46 years old Engr. Abu Abdulganiyu stood before a cheering crowd in Okpella, Edo State, when he announced that he would seek the nomination of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) to represent the people of Etsako at the House of Representatives with a promise to raise the bar of the quality of representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly if given the opportunity to serve.
Hence, he anchored his campaign on the slogan: Raising Representative to the highest Bar.
Invoking the memory of his journey to leaders of the party and Wards EXCOS present at the venue where he gave a prelude of his campaign manifesto to his kinsmen, Ganiyu as he his fondly called, reminded the enthusiastic crowd of the potentials the position holds to the party and his supporters.
Ganiyu told his teeming supporters that in the occasion of his declaration, he has unveiled his social contract with the people and will not fail them, just as he assured them that he was fully prepared for the tasks ahead and would be a servant, the face of hope for his people at the federal level.
He said it’s not only over due for Okpella to be considered for a federal elective position but it’s also a time to reinvent the legislative strategy of the constituency to complement rapid progression on socio-economic development and shared prosperity trajectory.
His words: “I invited you all here to announce that I want to contest for House of Representatives. I stand before you as a servant. Please send me, let me go and serve you. I know questions would be thrown at me as to why I think I am qualified to go to the House of Representatives.
“You all know that we have the capacity. I am well educated to represent you. I was a member of the Students Representative Assembly, Ahmadu Bello University Students Union Government, i have successfully run a my private firm since 2007 to international standard. I have been privileged to go to school, though I know there are people who have better education than I do, what I am pleading for is that you give me this assignment.
“Okpella has been conspicuously sidelined in the scheme of things for decades, Ganiyu pointed out.
He recounted that the only time an Okpella had the opportunity to represent the people at the federal legislative chamber was in 1983 when Senator Franca Afegbua, who spent few months at the Senate before her tenure was truncated by a military coup.
He wondered why a community who could produce the first female Senator in Africa could lay back in the political bench for decades while other neighbouring communities reap the benefit of her political capital in every election circle.
“Why is it that since then, we Okpella have not been able to hold any significant political position in Edo politics?, asked Ganiyu who appealed to the leadership of Edo North APC to toe the line of justice, equity and fairness, and also to his kinsmen, to look inward and make a decisive decision for the good of the community and the state at large.
“That’s why I am calling on our leaders and well meaning Okpellas to ensure that this yoke is broken. This 2023, we are appealing to our party leaders that Okpella is more than ripe to go to the House Representatives.
“I am a son of a farmer and today I stand before you in all humility that I will not fail you if you give me the the opportunity, because I am one of you, he said.
Engr. Ganiyu who holds a Degree in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from the Ahmedu Bello University, Zaria and a Masters degree in Environmental Resource Management, Nasarawa State University Keffi.
He spoke with some stakeholders and his media team on the sidelines of the event where he declared that he was prepared to hearken to the yearnings and aspirations of the people; to restore hope and earn the trust in governance; to provide the critical infrastructure that has so easily eluded them due to poor representation; to end the neglect of rural communities; to empower the women and youths; to support our micro, small and medium scale enterprises; as well as to reduce the incidence and severity of poverty in our land.
“I represent the link between the past, the present and future, I represent the young and the old, the rich and the poor. This articulates the unique perspective on issues that cut across the various strata of Etsako. And this is what I represent.”
If given the chance i will represent the entire Etsako Federal Constituency equitably.
Engr Abu Abdulganiyu media Team.