Candidates of fifteen political parties for Borno central senatorial district have announced their withdrawal from Saturday’s re-scheduled Presidential and national assembly elections in endorsement of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Governor Kashim Shettima.
The candidates explained their decision on Thursday.
AbdulKadir Fema of the Action Peoples Party, APP, led others to make the announcement at a press conference held at the Inter-Party Advisory Council office in Maiduguri.
They are candidates of Better Nigeria Progressives Party, BNPP, Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, New Progressive Movement, NPM, Yes Electorates Solidarity, YES, Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, Nigerian Elements Progressive Party, NEPP, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Nigeria Community Movement Party, NCMP, Coalition for Change, C4C, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, Justice Must Preval Party, JMPP, Independent Democrats, ID and Democratic Alliance, DA.
A joint statement they signed read in part: “We took this decision based on our conviction that even though each of us has the capacity and the patriotic zeal to competently representing the people of Borno central in the 9th Senate, we are of the opinion that in the next national assembly, three major issues will largely define the representation of Borno people” they said.
“These three issues are: 1. Matters concerning the complexities of ongoing military operations and the need legislative collaboration with the federal government to accelerate efforts and complete the important task of overcoming the insurgency using military, economic and political approaches that can contribute towards the full restoration of peace in Borno State.
“2. Matters concerning humanitarian crisis. Recent attacks by the insurgents in northern Borno has without doubt, reversed some of the gains recorded by the state government on the return of displaced persons to rebuilt communities in Kukawa and Kala-Balge local government areas. There are still residents of Marte and Abadam living in Monguno. These are serious humanitarian issues that require depth of understanding and contacts to address them.
“3. Matters of rebuilding rest of Borno communities affected by Boko Haram destructions. From a world Bank report, the Boko Haram has destroyed about one million homes. Already Borno State Government has rebuilt 30,000 houses which means there is so much yet to be done. Understanding this rebuilding and working with the federal government, the next administration in Borno and developmental partners will be crucial aspect of representing Borno at the 9th Senate. These three issues dominated our consultations amongst us and with our respective supporters”
“We are confident that Kashim Shettima will, insha’Allah, represent Borno as much and even better that the way we intended to do. Allah has, by making him Governor in Borno’s challenging years, afforded him a superior advantage that the people of Borno stand to gain from his potentially efficient representation, as the next Senator for Borno central senatorial zone, insha’Allah. We appeal to all of them and the entire electorates of Borno central senatorial zone to cast their votes for the APC in favour of Alhaji Kashim Shettima”.
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