The candidates of the Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency, under the platforms of the People Redemption Party (PRP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), have promised to improve security, promote agriculture and mitigate climate change, if elected.
The candidates gave the pledge in Kaduna on Wednesday, during Agenda Setting Dialogue with candidates for federal and state legislative constituencies.
The dialogue was organized by Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), Partnership for Issue-Based Campaign in Nigeria, and other supporting partners.
The PRP candidate, Mr. Ishak Umaru, said if elected, he would facilitate a Bill for a 50-year development trajectory that would address the current crises of development in the country.
Umaru also said that he would facilitate all-year-round agricultural production for food security in the constituency through the promotion of improved irrigation practices.
He also promised to plant one million economic trees annually to mitigate climate change and desert encroachment due to deforestation.
“I will also provide a platform for the youths to exploit their potential in sports and digital technology through the development of digital skills,” he said.
On his part, Mr. Cafra Caino of the APC said that his nine-point agenda focuses on improving security in the constituency, education, health, youth and women empowerment, sports and social welfare, and tourism.
“Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency is an agrarian community and one of the backward constituencies in the state due to the spate of insecurity affecting agricultural production and other economic activities.
“My major attention, therefore, is to improve the security situation if elected and all other things will fall into place.
“I will also work towards constructing a dam to strengthen irrigation practices for an all-year-round food production,” he said.
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Mr. Yusuf Goje, the lead partner, of PICaN in Kaduna State, said that the dialogue was meant to deepen democracy and commended the candidates for their resolve for issue-based campaigns.
Goje said that the dialogue provides an opportunity for citizens to engage the candidates on their planned programs and mission to enable them to make informed decisions.
Mrs. Hanatu Ahuwan, Acting Executive Director, LANW, said that the dialogue was organized under its We-You Project, designed to infuse women and young persons into the political and governance space in Kaduna state.
Ahuwan, who is also the Project Coordinator of the We-You project being supported by Action Aid, said that the organization has been engaging the leadership of political parties to be sensitive to the concerns of the women and youths.
“Youths and women should not be seen as tools during campaigns and elections but as critical stakeholders in the development process.
“It is our desire that when candidates are elected, they will remember to influence legislation that will open more doors for women and youths in the political landscape,” she said.
Also, Governance Programme Manager, Action Aid, Mr. Celestine Odo, stressed the need for social justice beginning with a social contract with the political class for improved service delivery.
“We are not supporting any political party; our support is for democracy to thrive in an inclusive manner where young men and women have a voice and are part of the leadership and decision-making process.
“This is why we have been asking political interests to give women and young persons the opportunity to hold elective positions within political parties and governments,” he said.
On his part, Mr. Istifanus Akau, State Partnership Facilitator, Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), said that the dialogue provides the electorates opportunity to ask the legislative candidates critical questions on what they have to offer.