By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A Cheiftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Sheikh Ibrahim Jibril, on Thursday, officially declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives seat to represent Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in 2023.
The event which witnessed large turnout of party chieftains, members and representatives of major ethnic groups was the aftermath of extensive consultations with various stakeholders in Dekina/Bassa politics comprising community rulers, leaders of CDCs and CDAs and traders’ unions and market men and women.
Speaking at the Islamiya Primary School, opposite the LGA Secretariat in Dekina, the venue of the formal declaration, Jibril disclosed that his declaration is in the interest of democracy, good governance and quality representation for the constituents.
According to him, it was also intended to formally seek the support of the people for the actualisation of his aspiration.
He said “I stand before you today to declare my intention to run for the House of Representatives seat in the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to all present here today, Thursday, for creating the time to participate in this historic event of my declaration to contest for Dekina/Bassa Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2023 general elections on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Since the return of Nigeria to the democratic path on May 29, 1999, Dekina and Bassa Local Government Areas has been one of the reference councils in Kogi politics.
“There is no way we can review the political history of KogiState in the last 22 years of this present Fourth Republic and 61 years of Nigeria’s independence without making reference to Dekina and Bassathe political giants from the local government areas.
“Dekina and Bassa have produced many great men and women, who have distinguished themselves at the federal and state levels by writing their names in gold in politics and governance.
“I wish to commend them all for their meritorious service to Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency II in the last 22 years.
“Meanwhile, I have decided, like the great American President John F. Kennedy, not to continue to wait for what my constituency, state and country can do for me, but to challenge myself on what to do for my constituency, state and country.
“My decision to throw my hat into the ring for the House of Representatives contest was because I believe strongly that I will be useful to my constituents in the lower chamber of the National Assembly for qualitative representation.
“My main promise to the people of Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency if given the opportunity to represent them in the House of Representatives, however, is to provide and guarantee qualitative, discerning, visible and result-oriented representation for my constituency. I will also leverage on the experience of the best hands in the Federal Constituency to provide the desired representation in every sense of the word to my constituents.
“I have invited you here today to join me in the journey to take Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency to a great height and for qualitative representation in line with my party manifestoes.
“I am sending a clarion call to our party members, men and women, youths and the elderly, that there is a lot of work to be done to achieve Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency of our dreams. I urge you all to come out to vote for me during our party primaries election so that I can be the APC flag bearer in the House of Representatives election.”
Earlier, the frontline aspirant paid a traditional visit on the Ejeh of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje for royal blessing.
Highlight of the event was, cultural display by the Igala, Bassa Komu, Bassa Nge and Egbira Mozum amount others
Also present at the declaration were representatives of the Ndi-gbo, Arewa and Yoruba groups.
