We Are Not Fighting N’Assembly over Direct Primary, Says Kebbi Gov

We Are Not Fighting N’Assembly over Direct Primary, Says Kebbi Gov

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has clarified that the controversy surrounding the amendment to the Electoral Act to accommodate Direct Primary for all political parties does not connote that the governors are out to fight the National Assembly members.

Bagudu described the divergent views exhibited by the governors and federal lawmakers on the matter as democracy in action and no division between the states’ chief executives and federal parliamentarians.

Also, the governor of Sokoto State and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGE), Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has canvassed for unity among all Nigerians for radical development, saying the development of any nation does not recognise political parties, ethnicities, and religions.

Governors Bagudu and Tambuwal, accompanied by their counterpart from Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, visited various locations in Ekiti, on Friday, to inaugurate the road projects initiated by Governor Kayode Fayemi to mark the third anniversary of his administration.
The roads are the Ijan-Igbemo-Ilupeju, Aramoko-Erinjiyan, and Oye-Ayede-Isan-Otun roads.

Speaking on development and party politics, Bagudu said: “We are very proud of the achievements of Governor Fayemi in Ekiti. He has initiated quality projects that can stand the test of time for his people and this is a hallmark of a good leader.

“I had also spoken about the issue of direct primary severally. The divergent opinions we had was democracy in action. The governors and the people had shown their concerns and that was what we did.
“We are not fighting the National Assembly or anybody over direct primary; we were just making our views and concerns known on the matter.”

Tambuwal, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had while inaugurating the Aramoko-Erinjiyan road, averred that Nigerians should associate freely with one another regardless of political inclinations, religion, and ethnicity.

“The fact that good governance knows no political party makes me come down from Sokoto State to celebrate with my brother, Governor Fayemi to commission this road.

“You can see how we relate with each other and ourselves; it is about our people. Road infrastructure has value addition in the lives of our people; this is a good road project.

“Fayemi even said it was constructed by a local contractor; this is good because we have to build the local contactors even when we patronise the multinationals.

“This road is important for the growth of agriculture, tourism, commerce, and transport. We also know the value of Ikogosi Warm Spring in the tourism development of this country. This road will make it easy for us to access tourism for people all over the globe; this is nothing but good governance.

“The fact that Governor Fayemi is providing good leadership has made other 35 governors under NGF have confidence in his leadership and personality”.

In his submission, Fayemi said the inauguration of the road projects was part

of the fulfilment of his electioneering campaigns in 2018 to the people of Ekiti State that he would make road infrastructure a priority.

He said his relationship with Governor Tambuwal should be a lesson to other Nigerians that leadership should be about the development of a country and its people and not about politicking alone.

On the Aramoko-Erinjiyan road, Fayemi said: “I commend the contractor for the extraordinary diligent manner with which he delivered on the job. The last time this road got attention was in 2004 and later got dilapidated.

“We make this 13.5 kilometres road a priority because it leads to the tourism corridor of our state. The road will facilitate access to farms, Ikogosi warm spring, the glossy water factory, boost commercial activities and socio-economic activities of our party.

“We will continue to provide accessible and motorable roads to all our towns and villages. But we appeal to motorists to put safety first. We have to think of being alive while driving on our roads.”

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