Mr Umar Ibrahim, the House of Representatives candidate for Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party is repositioning itself to reclaim political relevance in Kaduna State.
Ibrahim stated this while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP in Kaduna on Monday in Kaduna.
He described the PDP as a “legacy party” with experienced politicians putting its structures together ahead of the elections.
According to him, the presence of former elected officials and party executives at the meeting demonstrated the depth of experience within the PDP.
“We are putting our act together. Several people from different parties are coming back to join the PDP and put hands together to ensure that we push these people out of government.
“We are experienced in politicking, so we know what we are doing. We are putting our heads together and planning our strategies”.
Ibrahim said the meeting was also aimed at presenting the party’s candidates to the public across various elective positions, including the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.
He described the turnout and calibre of leaders at the meeting as an indication that the PDP remained a strong political force in Kaduna State.
The candidate also urged voters to reject vote-buying and other forms of inducement during the 2027 elections.
He said electorate should instead assess candidates based on their integrity, track records, manifestos and capacity to deliver people-oriented programmes.
“We have done elections based on religious sentiments and money inducement. Now, the electorate are going to elect candidates based on integrity and manifestos.
“People are wise now. You can spend your money, but people will look at the candidate, his integrity and whether he has programmes that can deliver for them”.
On education, Ibrahim expressed concern over what he described as the deterioration and neglect of the sector, urging voters to make it a major consideration when choosing their leaders.
Similarly, Danjuma Sarki, PDP flag bearer for Zonkwa Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, promised to provide what he described as “positive representation” if elected in 2027.
Sarki said he would work to change the narrative of representation by making the legislature more accessible and responsive to the people.
“My people should expect positive representation and a paradigm shift. The narrative will certainly be changed into something much better than what they have ever gotten.
“I am going to ensure that I speak for my people in the House of Assembly and the people of Kaduna State in general”.
He promised to support legislation that would be beneficial and developmental to the people, while also advising and supporting the executive arm where necessary to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Sarki said he would also lobby effectively for developmental projects and programmes that would improve the welfare and livelihood of his constituents.
He further promised to make his constituency office accessible to the people to enable them to interact with their representative and contribute ideas on governance.
Another PDP candidate, Mr Abdullahi El-Kudan, who is seeking to represent Kudan Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, described the stakeholders’ meeting as important for the party’s preparations for the next election.
El-Kudan said the gathering provided an opportunity for party members from different parts of the state to deliberate on the way forward.
He identified security, education and agriculture as his major priorities if elected, noting that Kudan was largely an agrarian constituency.
“Security is very important. We have a strategy to cooperate with traditional leaders, youths and relevant organisations to address insecurity.
“Secondly, education. I believe in education because it is the foundation of everything. When education is neglected, society is left behind,” he said.
El-Kudan said his personal experience had strengthened his belief in education, adding that he wanted younger generations to have access to quality education and opportunities.
He also dismissed claims that there was no strong opposition to the ruling party in Kaduna State.
“PDP is there, PDP is alive and PDP will confront them. We are grassroots politicians and we know what is worrying our people.
“If you don’t have the grassroots, I don’t think you can call yourself a politician because the grassroots is where politics is played”.
