Interview

PDP Will Dominate Kaduna State Come 2019 – Hon. Rabiu Bako

Hon. Rabiu BakoThe Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Stake Holders Forum, Hon. Rabiu Bako has during an interview shortly after a stakeholders meeting held at Arewa house, Kaduna expressed optimism that the party would take over government in 2019 as it is battle ready to slug it out during the election.

This astute politician and one time commissioner of information in Kaduna state said despite the unjust remarks from some quarters on PDP’s 16years rule, it has made a mark. The PDP he said is very much alive in Kaduna state and would no doubt get a grip of the state come 2019 election. The PDP members who today find their ways into position of power under the umbrella of APC he blared were made what they are today by the PDP. More so, some of them wouldn’t have gained these positions if not for the good name of president Buhari whom he described as a man of integrity.

These and some other interesting revelations in this interview with Zainab Tanimu, our Kaduna based Top Celebrities Magazine Correspondent.

Excerpts…

We the members of PDP Kaduna state especially the stakeholders have decided to come together to discuss issues, find out where things went wrong, those we have offended make amends and forge ahead. We want to show them that the PDP in Kaduna state is very much alive. We want to tell them that we have done something for the period of 16years of rule as against their claim that we have not done anything. There is no way one would rule for 16years and you say such party has not done anything that impacted on the lives of the people.

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In our 16years of rule, we had governors like Ahmed Makarfi, we had Namadi Sambo, we had late Yakowa and then we had Muktar Ramalan Yero. All these governors in their own ways touched on the lives of the citizens of Kaduna state.

What is your assessment of the present governor’s administration?

Very poor!

Why?

What has he done? Tell me. Is his achievement the destruction of peoples’ houses, is it the forceful retirement of people and permanent secretaries who have not reached the age of retirement an achievement? What is the purpose of doing that? They have not committed any offence. They are being retired without due regard to civil service rules and regulations.

I am surprise to hear people saying PDP ruled for 16years and nothing to show for it. Funny enough, even the governor of Kaduna state himself was a PDP man. He was part of former president Obasanjo’s regime as FCT minister under PDP. Would he say for the period of 8years Obasajo ruled Nigeria he did not achieve anything?

You people have decided to come together to fathom a way forward for the party. What would you say are those major problems that led to the defeat of PDP in Kaduna State?

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You see, everything follows due process. People lost focus and never foresee things rather they took things for granted not realizing that it is PDP that can deliver their mandate. But now, I believe they are now beginning to see clearly. The turnout of people at this event is enough to prove that PDP is alive in Kaduna State. The truth of the matter is that most of these PDP members who decamped to APC and now holding offices today are on the influence of President Buhari’s good name because he is known to be a man of integrity. The same PDP made them what they are today. If not the influence of President Buhari, would El- Rufai be elected as governor of Kaduna state?

Have you seen any construction going on in the streets of Kaduna that his government is working on after six months? None! They said they are going to build a hotel. Is hotel one of the priorities of the people of Kaduna? There are so many hotels in Kaduna. We don’t need that, what we need is development; something that would improve the standard of living of the people. People are crying no payment of salaries, no payment of contractors and government is not even awarding contracts to people. Our children who have finished schools and could not get entry into higher institution seeking for jobs are called to be refuge collectors. Is that a good thing, I don’t think is a good thing. Is that the promise they made to the people? He has reduced the staff of our traditional rulers. Why? It has been like that for years. How does the governor think about all these things? If you want a change or improvement, let it be a change that people would be happy with instead, you are making a change that is demoralizing, change that is inflicting pains on people.

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The PDP did not do that in 16years. What we did is to improve on education. We built secondary schools, universities. The one in southern Kaduna, I understand has been closed down by the governor and plan to build another one.

How prepared are you for the forth coming local government election in zone one and two in particular?

We are ready. Insha Allah, we would win the election.

Sir, 2019 election, what hope does the PDP have?

Well, I would say we have a very bright future. We will make sure that we maintain good relationship amongst all and discuss with those concerned in our party. Our national body is up and doing and I am very sure of victory for our party come 2019 and we would do the best for Nigeria.