Niger Gov, Bello Shuns Guber Debate

By Pita Chib, Minna

THE Governor of Niger State,  Abubakar Bello, and  the PDP governorship Candidate, Umar Nasko, Tuesday shunned the governorship debate organised by the Niger state Coalition of  Business and Professional Association (NICOBPA). The duo did not send any representative neither was any apology sent for their absence at the time of filing this report

Bello,  who was in attendance of the 2019 Army Day Celebration held at the 123 Parade Ground was expected to attend the debate after the parade but he did not even when the debate was held at Idrisu Legbo Kutigi Conference Center which is directly opposite the Niger state Government House. 

The debate was attended by the Governorship candidates of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Dr. Ibrahim Mani, Honorable Isah Kawu of the All Democratic Party (ADP), Dr. Joshua Bawa of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Alhaji Yahaya Daudu of  the People Redemption Party (PRP) .

During the campaign, the candidate of ADP, Honorable Isah Kawu said his party would embark in politics without bitterness highlighting his major priority programs to focus on education and empowerment of Women, youths and the civil servants. 

The ADC candidate, Dr. Ibrahim Mani said his administration would focus on empowerment of youths saying that he would encourage youths to begin snake farming which he believe is profitable as a lot of industries are looking for snake farms to get venom for their anti-venom drugs. 

Joshua Bawa of APGA said he would make the state a tourist destination, focus on teachers empowerment and creating an enabling environment for investors to invest in. 

Yahaya Daudu of PRP said he will improve on the education of the people and improve on health especially in the rural areas. 

The Chairman NICOBPA,  Mohammed Lawal, said the debate is to give the people a feel of what the governorship candidates have for them and to make them reply to the questions the people have for them. 

He stated that a lot of the people do not know most of the candidates except  the APC and PDP candidates adding that the forum will give the people the opportunity to know who their candidates are.