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I’ll Fighting For My People Till I Die – Kantigi
Alhaji Isah Liman-Kantigi, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate in Niger in the March 18 Governorship poll, said he would continue to fight for the people of the state till he died.
Addressing newsmen at his country home, Kantigi, on Thursday, he said his reason for joining the governorship race was to make life better for the people of the state.
According to him, the people have been left behind, abandoned and left in a pathetic state.
”Niger State has been left behind in so many areas. A Governor cannot do everything, he has to delegate power and whosoever that power is been delegated to should ask questions.
“Have I done well? So, in view of that circumstances we need to check ourselves, our people have been maltreated and left behind.
“Our people have no leadership to control them, particularly what we have seen in various places that I have visited.
“That is why I went into the governorship race to give leadership and impact the people positively,’’ said the flagbearer.
He therefore pledged to support the new governor to make things better for the citizens of the state.
”I will not rest on my oars until when the people of Niger state and Nigerians in general enjoy their full rights.
“I will not stop fighting until I see that people that live around me, and people of Nigeria enjoy what they are supposed to enjoy,’’ Liman-Kantigi said.
The governorship candidate however said that he and his team would go back to the drawing board to assess the electoral process.
According to him, voters orientation needs to be elevated, because the person given spaghetti does not know that he is doing a lot of harm to himself.
“You give people clothe that is worth N700, meanwhile, your wife is tying a clothe of N1 million. Is that what our people are supposed to get in return,’’ Kantigi questioned
While promising to ask questions before taking any further action, he said that there was no court higher than that of God.
“My late father used to say whatever you fight and the time has not come, keep on fighting.
”But, if the party decides to take any further action, that is the party and they have the mandate and resources to do so.
“Elections have come and gone. We are looking at issues arising from the elections to assess where they originated from, is it from INEC or human error.
“Election has come and gone, let us rally round who God has put on the throne and pray for him to look at the needs of the people for the progress of Niger state.”
On the telephone call to APC’s Bago, the Governor-elect, Kantigi said that calling him was personal.
”To be a good leader, the Governor-elect has to be comfortable and we all have roles to play in ensuring that. That call was part of it.
”He has to be comfortable to tackle the arduous task ahead of him as he takes the mantle of leadership of the state.
”I have fought the APC gallantly with a vote difference of 82,420, this was unprecedented in the history of Niger state. The people stood up and said no.
”They said enough is enough, but God said it is not yet time,” Kantigi added.
He however advised the governor-elect, Alhaji Umar Bago, to be wary of sycophants, saying that they are always selfish and retrogressive.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Comrade Jerry Adams, has commended the growing commitment of political leaders to the development of Southern Kaduna, describing it as unprecedented.
Speaking at the Southern Kaduna Solemn Assembly for Restoration held in Bara, Jema’a Local Government Area, Adams attributed the progress to the inclusive governance style of Governor Uba Sani and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing several ongoing developmental projects as evidence of their dedication.
The meeting, convened at the instance of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political figures to strategize on advancing the region’s growth.
Adams noted that Southern Kaduna is witnessing an unparalleled drive for development under the current leadership, and he urged residents to remain politically united ahead of the 2027 elections to consolidate these gains.
“Since the return of democracy, this is the first time we are seeing leaders who are truly passionate about the development of Southern Kaduna,” he said.
“We must learn to love ourselves so that others can love and respect us.”
Highlighting some of the projects the Governor played a pivotal role, Adams mentioned the military barracks under construction in Samaru Kataf, the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, and the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia.
He emphasized that the governor had to reclaim some state-owned properties to facilitate these developments.
“Southern Kaduna is not there yet, but we are firmly on the path to progress,” Adams asserted.
He further called on the people of the region to unite politically and vote strategically in the 2027 elections, stressing that coordinated political action is crucial for attracting greater development.
“We must bring our votes together and negotiate a better deal for our people, rather than voting indiscriminately, which in the past has led to misfortune for the region,” he added.
News
FG Engages South African Bank Representatives On Environmental Oversight For Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Federal Government through the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has held a high-level meeting with representatives from the Development Bank of South Africa and Deutsche Bank to enhance environmental oversight of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (LCCH) project.
The delegation, led by Karim Ezzeddine, focused on strategies to ensure environmental sustainability and adherence to international standards, particularly in Phase 1, Section 1 of the highway.
The meeting highlighted the Federal Ministry of Environment’s key regulatory role in safeguarding coastal areas and aligning the project with global environmental best practices.
Minister Lawal described the collaboration as a vital step toward integrating environmental integrity into Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
“This partnership reaffirms our commitment to sustainable development by ensuring the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway meets both transportation needs and coastal environmental preservation,” he said.
The engagement reflects Nigeria’s resolve to meet lender expectations and promote responsible development one that protects natural ecosystems while enhancing economic connectivity across the coastal corridor.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has warned that wealthy individuals are turning political parties into personal investments, undermining the democratic process.
Speaking at a technical workshop on the Political Parties Bill (HB1862) in Abuja, Abbas highlighted the absence of ideological foundations in Nigerian political parties, describing them as vehicles for power control rather than democratic institutions.
The workshop, organised by Yiaga Africa and The Kukah Centre with funding from the European Union, focused on addressing gaps in political party regulation.
Represented by Rt. Ishaya David Lalu, Abbas stressed that democracy cannot thrive without internal democratic processes for candidate selection.
“In Nigeria, political parties are not founded on any principle or ideology,” he said, noting that they often serve as platforms for power-sharing among elites rather than promoting public interest.
The proposed Political Parties Bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability by establishing an independent body to regulate party activities, including campaign financing.
Abbas argued that such measures would curb the influence of “moneybags” who hijack parties or impose candidates during elections.
He cited the United States’ Federal Election Commission and the United Kingdom’s Electoral Commission as models for effective regulation, contrasting them with Nigeria’s current system, where the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks robust legislative backing to oversee party funding.
In his welcome remarks,Hon. Zakari Dauda Nyampa, Chairman of the House Committee on Political Matters, echoed Abbas’ concerns, noting that unregulated primaries often lead to crises within parties.
“This bill is key to ensuring accountability, transparency, and proper regulation of political party funding,” he said, underscoring its importance for Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
In his goodwill message,Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, emphasised Nigeria’s strategic importance in African politics, warning that weak political parties undermine democracy.
“Our parties are built around individuals, not institutions, making them easily captured,” Itodo said, advocating for stronger systems to ensure ideological coherence and public participation.
Also at the event,Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), called for greater public engagement with the bill, noting that it has yet to be uploaded online for scrutiny.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to thoroughly assess the legislation to ensure it reflects citizens’ aspirations. IPAC plans to convene a General Assembly to discuss the bill and present its position to the National Assembly.
On his part ,Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre, described the bill as a timely opportunity to strengthen internal democracy and institutionalise overdue reforms.
“The quality of political party operations directly impacts the integrity of our elections,” he said.