The Candidate For Kogi West Under the aegis of National Rescue Movement (NRM) had an interactive session with media men on Sunday evening after exhaustive meeting with youth from his constituency. In the interview captured for NEW NIGERIAN, Hon. Abdulghafar Dirisu succinctly x-rays his vision, mission and what he has in stock for Kogi West. MIKE ODEH JAMES filed in the report.
Excerpts:
Tell us, what motivated you to go into politics and to contest for the senatorial position of Kogi West?
They say if you want something done well, you should do it yourself. I’m not satisfied with the present state of Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi State as a whole. Things need to be done much better and I believe I’m the man to give Kogi-West the quality representation it needs.
Under which political party are you contesting and why?
I’m running on the platform of the National Rescue Movement {NRM}. I’m running for Senate to give the great people of Kogi West Senatorial District the quality representation they deserve
Based on the interaction with the people of your constituency, do you believe you have done enough to secure their votes?
The great people of Kogi West Senatorial District know me and know the antecedents of the Dirisu family. They know that we stand for human development, moral uprightness, philanthropy and the general betterment of Kogi West and Kogi State as a whole. We have a history of excellence and I’m no different. They are willing to trust me with such enormous responsibility
What things (Empowerments, grants, scholarships) have you done for your Constituency that will convince people to vote for you?
We have given the region 5,000 slots in digital training with The Wootlab Foundation. We also want to register 500 constituents for vocational training in a United Nation’s empowerment programme. We also helped in the little way we could with palliatives for flood victims
Are you not threatened by PDP or APC Heavyweights in the race?
I’m not threatened by APC and PDP in the race because the people are tired. They are yearning for quality representation which will have positive impact on their lives and livelihoods. They might have vast resources but we have the grassroots on our side.
Are you sure that you can beat these two parties candidates?
Yes I can beat them both because as I said before, the people are yearning for quality representation and tired of the old order of unkept promises, insensitivity to the plight of the common man and lack of development.
What are your foremost priorities if you eventually become the next Senator representing your constituency?
I want to get down to work immediately and start bringing succour to the great people of Kogi West and start pursuing bills that will better the lives of the constituents, attracting bigger and better development projects that will move the kogi west Senatorial District forward and Kogi State as a whole
What bills would you be promoting in the Senate?
I will be pursuing bills on flood eradication, bills on empowerment of women especially widows, bills that will bring about affordable to free education and health care and bills that will take care of the elderly and senior citizens in the constituency.
Finally, What would you be doing differently for members of your Constituency if elected?
I will make sure I’m in tune with the people, know their needs and try to affect it as much as possible from the National Assembly and give them the quality representation they deserve.
