By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Labour Party (LP) candidate for Federal House of Representatives for Lokoja/Kogi Constituency in the 2023 elections, Jonathan Zacch, has said he will constantly be accountable, available, and maintain close communication with his constituents regarding his activities if elected.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday at the State Labour Party Secretariat in Lokoja, Zacch said he will ensure better representation of his constituency at the National Assembly.
He said he has a vision to offer service and collaborate with his constituents to deliver on three areas.
“First of all, I will make a positive impact in my constituency in terms of grass root development. Secondly, I want to be judged as a reformist, I want my people to fully enjoy the dividend of democracy in terms of constituency projects, federal appointments, creative industry, and sports. Thirdly, I will use strategic communication to ensure that youths are liberated, gainfully employed, and productive.
He stressed that he is the candidate to beat during the election due to his track record.
“If elected, I will ensure that there is a designated office in my constituents with employed staff to listen and address the challenges of my people. Such staff will help in the proper distribution of food items to the less privileged and elderly, scholarship/payment of school fees, and help in the assessment of borehole spots and projects and drainages for the proper spread of dividends of democracy in my constituency,” he said.
He said that the people are now wiser and deserved the right representation.
Zacch further stressed that Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency Deserve the Best.
He said: “It is barely 12 days to the February 25, 2023 presidential and national assembly elections. The good people of Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency will file out in their numbers, like other Nigerians, to exercise their franchise and elect leaders that will determine their fates in the next four years.
“The history of representation in Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency is replete with Sentiment and a sharp disconnect between elected leaders and the people.
“It is worthy to note that Lokoja/Kogi is the only federal constituency in the nation that has not leveraged on its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory for accelerated development. A careful study of consistent, rapid development around Suleja in Niger State, Karu in Nasarawa and others that shares boundaries with Abuja will confirm that Lokoja-Kogi federal constituency need immediate intervention.
“Several communities in Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency can be rightly tagged ‘The Forgotten Ones’. During the annual flood disaster, many of these communities relocate to and find succour in neighbouring Niger state. They are practically ‘political orphans’. The KKE, Kupa Kakanda and Eggan for instance never had a sitting Governor of the state visiting until 2015! When a sitting Governor visited in 2015, it was not to initiate or commission projects but to canvas for votes!
“The agrarian communities take their farm produce to markets in neighbouring state because there is no motorable road to connect them with markets in their own state! Funnily, people from Kogi travel to these neighbouring state to buy farm produce supplied from our neglected farmers, bring same back to Kogi and sell at out-of-pocket prices.
“These anomies cannot, and must not continue!
“I offer myself as a reliable servant of the people of Lokoja-Kogi federal constituency. I seek to represent my people in the House of Representatives under the solid platform of Labour Part (LP).
“With every sense of humility, I say boldly that I am the best bet for the good people of Lokoja-Kogi federal constituency.
“The Zacch’s approach will be based on PVC – People, Voice and Campaign.
“The People, the Communities will form the fulcrum of my campaign and the foundation of my program. That is, what the people, the communities, want will be the bases of my representation of the people.
“This is the BOTTOM -TOP approach system of Representation.
“I have the required 5Cs – competence, commitment, character, compassion and capacity to make a difference. A Leader with these attributes and the fear of God is a gift from God to a generation and a benefit to humanity in that generation.
“For most part of the ongoing electioneering campaigns, many have asked if Labour Party had candidates vying for elective offices in Kogi West senatorial district. I confirm to you that my name was not listed by the electoral umpire until a court judgment ordered my inclusion on February 2, 2023. This was a jolt for some and A BIG VICTORY SONG ALREADY FOR ME BY HIS GRACE
“I stand before you today as the lawful, authentic House of Representatives candidate of the Labour Party for Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency in the forthcoming general elections.
“This, notwithstanding, I make bold to say that we are undaunted by the delay. We are fully ready for the polls and will emerge victorious. I am not a stranger to my people and my antecedents speak volumes.
“Without holding any elective and appointive office, I have deployed my resources to help bring succour to my people over the years.
“I initiated and sponsored Empowerment Training for some youth in Lokoja in conjunction with Google and Jobberman. I sponsored this training and paid the bills.
“In 2019, I constructed a bridge at the Ganaja junction area where erosion was disturbing residents.
“I provided Primary School for the displaced Bassa and Gbagi people living in Igahachi community of Oworo Land in Lokoja local Government.
“I donated laptops to the ICT library of Government Secondary School Agbaja in Oworo.
“I helped in providing materials to stabilise the Mosque building against erosion around Ganaja junction. All are on ground for verification – you go and VERIFY
“With the people’s mandate, I promise to do more.
“I am a Registered Land Surveyor. I also hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and a Master Degree in Geographic Information System, (GIS) from University of Ibadan.
“I have been involved in the Oil and Gas, construction industry and education Sector of the Nigerian economy.
“I Lectured in Kaduna polytechnic, from where I moved to Western Geophysical, an American oil servicing company in Port Harcourt as a Seismic Surveyor. I was PENGASSAN Chairman then and was popularly called DonZack. So being a Labour Party candidate today is not out of place.
“I am not a rookie either in Politics. I was the founding Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State.
” A vote for Jonathan Zacch is a vote for paradigm shift in representation and a guarantee for a better tomorrow.
