*** As he advises FG to judiciously channel the removed subsidy on infrastructural development
By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The governorship candidate of the National Rescue Mission (NRM), in Kogi State, Mallam Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu, has said he collapsed his structure into that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), because the candidate is well groomed in the GYB new direction agenda and well versed in it’s philosophy for the historic transformation and consolidation of Kogi State.
He also said he has dropped his governorship ambition in support of APC candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo because they share the same political ideology, adding that Ododo stands a better chance to win the election.
The NRM governorship candidate made this revelation on Monday at his Lokoja residence when his teeming supporters paid him solidarity visit.
Addressing his supporters, he said:
“I was not forced or induced to support Ododo but was moved by the experience and quality of the person of Usman Ododo and I decided to join him to work to ensure victory.
Explaining further why he is throwing his weight behind the APC candidate, Dirisu said, ” My withdrawal from the forthcoming election is for the interest of Kogi State. No doubt I was the only governorship candidate from Lokoja LGA then, but I have seen a man full with capacity and determination to work for his people. That Man is Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo
He further disclosed that his party is not collapsing into the APC, but has only chosen to support and form alliance with someone with genuine desire to move the state forward.
He said Ododo for now remains the best and only candidate that can move the state forward, adding that the reason he collapsed his structure into Ododo’s was to actualize the set objective.
On fuel subsidy removal, the NRM governorship candidate who is also the eldest son of the late Makama of Lokoja, (Rtd) Rear Admiral Ndazumi Ibrahim Drisu, advised the Federal Government to judiciously channel the removed subsidy on infrastructural development to enhance economic development and growth in the country.
He specifically said the Federal Government should also build low-cost housing for workers to ensure that they have roof over their heads, saying the cost of accommodation is not affordable to an average worker in the country.
He said the pronouncement by President Tinubu that petroleum subsidy is gone is being supported by many Nigerians because of alleged frauds that have trailed it in the past years but said the Federal Government should as part of the palliative being proposed consider giving workers affordable accommodation through mortgage, saying the payment should be spread across 25-30 years of active service.
Dirisu stated that the trillions of naira, being committed yearly by the Federal Government on fuel subsidies has no positive impact on the poor because it was meant to enrich the few rich.
While advising that the government on its part should be sincere to spend the money from the removed subsidy judiciously in developing infrastructure such as mass transportation, agriculture, schools, hospitals that will be accessible to the masses, stressing that, that is the only way the people can benefit from the removal of the fuel subsidy.
