Governor Sule asks Hausa community in Akwanga to turn up for voter registration starting Monday

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called on members of the Hausa community in Akwanga Local Government Area to take full advantage of the forthcoming INEC continous voter registration exercise commencing on Monday.

Governor Sule made the call when he hosted members of the Hausa community from Akwanga Local Government Area on a solidarity visit at the Government House on Tuesday.

While decrying the high voter apathy amongst especially Hausa community in Akwanga, the Governor appealed to them to utilise the INEC exercise to not only register their wards and children who have attained the voting age but to also use the opportunity to change their polling units as provided by law.

According to him, it is high time the people realise the signifance of participating in the electoral process, which could translate to more development.

He however identified inability of political leaders to carry the people along especially during election periods, which mostly results in voter apathy and low turnout of voters.

Governor Sule said if the Hausa community had turned out to vote across the state, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu may have won Nasarawa State during the 2023 presidential election.

He therefore called on the people to turn up at the Akwanga Cenral Primary School, which is the venue for the INEC continous voter registration exercise, in order to register and also update their voters cards.

The Governor commended the Hausa community in Akwanga for coexisting peacefully with themselves and other ethnic groups in the local government area.

“I appreciate you for the peaceful nature you have continued to live with one another, as well as all the other ethnic groups in Akwanga. I urge you to continue to live in peace with everybody. I urge you to continue to live in peace with yourselves,” he stated.

Governor Sule further appreciated the Hausa community in Akwanga for travelling to Lafia to show their appreciation over the appointments granted to some sons and daughters of the community.

“I thank you for at least, coming to appreciate me for the few positions that we have given you. I want to tell you that every position given to you is because you deserve it. You are deserving of those positions, and you even deserve more. By the grace of God, we will continue to carry every one of you along,” he said.

He equally used the opportunity of the visit to harp on the significance of acquiring both western and Islamic education, urging the members of the Hausa community to endeavour to send their children to school.

“As a member of the Hausa community in Akwanga Local Government, I would not have risen to my present position of Governor if I did not acquire education. I am therefore appealing to you to send your children to school,” he said.

The Governor also used the event to clarify on his earlier comment on his responsibility to carry the citizens of the state whether they voted for him or not.

“People are misrepresenting my earlier comments, suggesting that I do not care whether anyone voted for me or not. It’s not true because I care about those who voted for me. What I mean was that, as Governor today, it is my responsibility to carry everybody along, whether such a person voted for me or not. Even if you don’t vote for me, I am still the Governor, and God has bestowed a responsibility on me to carry every citizen of Nasarawa along.

“If you look at the number of development projects being executed in Lafia, you will see that it is a result of my popularity and acceptance here. This shows that I really care about the people who voted for me. That, however, did not stop me from delivering projects where the people did not vote for me,” he added.

On the call for him to run for the Senate, Governor Sule appreciated the Hausa community for calling on him to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial ticket but that he is focusing more on delivering his present mandate.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, leader of the delegation, Hon. Lawal Abdullahi, said the Hausa community in Akwanga were at the Government House on a solidarity visit to one of their own.

Hon. Abdullahi commended Governor Sule for all the development strides being recorded in Akwanga Local Government Area.

He particularly commended the Governor for identifying some members of the community and appointing them to assist him in delivering exceptional leadership to the people of the state.

Hon. Abdullahi said the Hausa community in Akwanga are resolved to support the Governor in his bid for the Senate.

According to him, even though Governor Sule is yet to show interest in contesting for the Nasarawa North Senatorial ticket, members of the Hausa community in Akwanga deemed it necessary to call on him to join the race.

“We know you are yet to make up your mind to contest for the Senate. But we are appealing to you to consider us. Righteous individuals don’t seek leadership, but the people seek them out and call on them to lead. We are calling on you because of your sterling leadership,” he said.

Also in an introductory remarks, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Utilities, Hon. Mohammed Musa Akwanga, said the purpose of paying the solidarity visit was to identify with Governor Sule and also foster unity among the Hausa community in Akwanga Local Government Area.

During the visit, prayers were offered by the Chief Imam of Akwanga, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, for the success of the Governor Sule administration.