ABUJA, Nigeria – Admiral Jibrin Usman, a retired chief of the Nigerian Navy, has promised to transform the lives of the people of Kogi State if he wins the governorship election on November 11. Usman, who is running on the Accord Party ticket, said he would tackle the problems of hunger, poverty, thuggery and infrastructure decay that have plagued the state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the pledge during a campaign rally in Okene, the largest town in Kogi Central Senatorial District, where he was warmly received by a huge crowd of supporters on Saturday.

“I have seen the hardship of Kogites. You are suffering the same thing as Kogi West and East. I will reverse this situation and bring sanity and good governance to our state,” he said. Usman, who served as the chief of naval staff from 2012 to 2014, said he would pay full salaries to primary school teachers and local government staff, who have been receiving only a fraction of their wages for months.

He also said he would empower women and youths with skills and opportunities to reduce crime and increase productivity. “We need to pay attention to our women. They are the bedrock of every society. I will empower our mothers so that we can all have enough to eat. I will also roll out a massive empowerment program for our youths to create jobs and reduce vices,” he said.

Usman’s candidacy has been welcomed by many people in Kogi State, who are dissatisfied with the performance of the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello of the APC. Bello, who is seeking a second term in office, has been accused of mismanaging the state’s resources, failing to deliver on his campaign promises and neglecting the welfare of the workers and the masses.

He is also facing a stiff challenge from Musa Wada of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who has vowed to restore democracy and development in the state. The governorship election in Kogi State is expected to be keenly contested and closely watched by observers and stakeholders.

The Coalition for Credible Elections, a civil society group, has warned of possible violence ahead of the poll, citing allegations of intimidation and harassment by some candidates and their supporters. The group urged the security agencies and the electoral commission to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election that would reflect the will of the people.

The people of Kogi State are hopeful that the election will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for their state.

Source: Punch