The burning desire to groom visionary and outstanding young politicians who are not into politics for money and fame, but to serve the collective interest of the nation and to improve the quality of life of millions of Nigerians across all political and regional divides has pushed veteran lawyer, Daniel Azura to return to politics.
Azura who made the remarks during an interactive session with newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State, maintained that thousands of Nigerian politicians who are in office have already missed the point by several miles because a larger chunk of them go into politics for the perks of the office instead of the collective welfare of the nation.
Azura explained that as far as he is concerned, the art and heart of leadership has been conspicuously missing in many and the buck of perennial failures of the executives should be blamed on the National Assembly which so far, has not lived up to its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the rights and freedom of the common man whom they represent.
“The bulk of Nigeria’s economic, social and developmental woes and systemic immobility malfunctioning today can be directly traced to the incompetence and failures of the National Assembly.
“Democracy in its essence established the National Assembly as tool for checks and balances and as a means for ensuring that the system works as intended. So when the National Assembly malfunctions, the entire country suffers because it is the voice of the people and that is the reason why our democracy is not working well,” the legal luminary stated.
Speaking on why he wants to run for the senatorial seat of the central zone, he said, “I am not new into politics, I have been there as a young politician when I contested and won election as the chairman of Hong Local Government Area during the military era.
“Since then because of what I saw in politics, the high level of corruption and sharp practices was alarming, so I voluntarily left politics and went into private practice.
“I am back into politics because I want to do what would outlive me and it is about carrying along younger politicians that would take over from where I would stop,” he declared.
Speaking on his preparedness to hit the ground running as a legislator, he said, “The Hausa translation for the Senate simply means the house of elders. So, I think that makes it a place where my wisdom and lifelong legacy of mentoring hundreds of young lawyers would be required.
“My background as a legal practitioner and legal consultant, had also adequately prepared me to be the authentic voice of Adamawa at the state and my zone at the national assembly.”
Azura further said, “I am probably one of the most prepared persons for the National Assembly because my background within the legal profession gives me an edge to best represent the aspirations of the common man and my life of tireless fight for justice and the rule of law will propel me to fight for our people and make Nigeria a better place for all.
“Again, Hong is the only local government in the central zone that has never produced a senator,” he pointed out.
Azura said he is a grassroots person who has a long history of service to his community since he served as the local government chairman.
He maintained that, “Since the time I served as chairman during the military era, I have been organizing an annual community get together which has never failed to hold till date.
“That is not politics, its relationship and commitment and people respect that and we look forward to turning Adamawa Central and the state as a whole, into a united family towards the pursuit of collective good.”
