… Says, it’s concocted lies to damage my political reputation
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for the rerun election into the House of Representatives, Kachia/ Kagarko Federal Constituency, Hon. Gabriel Saleh has debunked story making rounds in the media by some students that he promised them scholarships but failed to fulfill the promise.
The APC candidate described the allegations raised by the students in a sponsored write-up as not only frivolous, but concocted lies to damage his hard earned political image.
“For the records, they should cross check again in Kaduna State University, (KASU), when my team went to pay scholarships for students that were captured, located and paid accordingly . Anyone in doubt should go to KASU and ask the Students Captured if they got it or not.
“All that I did were documented and there was no time that I promised and failed our people”. Saleh said.
In the published story, some medical and science Students from Kachia/ Kagarko Federal Constituency had cried out over alleged ‘Political gimmick’ of the former member and vowed to vote him out during the forthcoming rerun election.
Reacting in a press statement he personally signed, Hon. Saleh said he never made any promise of sort and failed during the course of his stay as House of Reps member and in his entire political career .
“I was popularly voted by the good people of Kachia/Kagarko to represent them in the House of Representatives and I did my very best to do so, while my tenure lasted.
“Those that were captured for scholarships by the team were shortlisted and paid to KASU . Before going to press, I expected those who published such frivolous story to confirm whether those captured got it or not”. The statement said.
The lawmaker hopeful, who expressed displeasure over the story noted ,” I have four years tenure, how would I promised to take off tuition fees for medical students who would be in school after my 4 years tenure”.
While describing the story as the handiwork of political enemies, threatened by his popularity, he said, “It’s a matter of time, God will vindicate me and expose their evil machinations.”
He however added, ” Anyone in doubt about my contributions to Asiwaju’s campaign and election victory should ask my colleague Faleke, who was then the Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council of Asiwaju.”
According to him, the public should know that the faceless group which wrote the petition under guise of ‘Concerned APC Members Kaduna State’ (Kachia/Kagarko Federal constituency) was sponsored to de-campaign him.
He added that If there was a need for a petition, it should come from the party Chairman of the polling unit, ward or even the State office.
”There are 22 wards , why is it that there are no signatures from the wards? That is to show that the whole idea is a lie and calculated attempts to reduce my popularity ahead of the by-election.
“My campaign is going on and will continue until the D-day of the by-election”. He said.
On his achievements ,Hon. Saleh said,” We provided 36 major projects ranging from hospitals; schools Boreholes and also sponsored a bill to create a Federal college of Agriculture, Kagarko, which has gone through the second reading and ready for public hearing.
“We touched lives of so many people including widows, orphans, youths,students traditional and religious leaders.
“We organized an annual programme tagged “Peace Conference” where lectures on peace and conflict resolution were taught, while at the end fertilizers and rice were shared to farmers and the less privileged with cash donations to indigent families. Over 110 motorcycles and some vehicles were distributed and good number of our youths employed in critical positions.
“And these good works ,we have promised to continue to do if re-elected.”
On the issue of petition against Hon. Saleh, the APC chairman, Kachia local Government, explained: In the first place, most of those who signed the petition are not our party members. How did they arrive at the conclusion that Hon. Gabriel Saleh was engaged in anti party activities at any time ,when they are not members of the party?
“One name we saw on the so called petition, Junaidu is a suspended member of the party. He was caught red- handed on video working against our lawmaker for the upcoming rerun election. Another person who signed was the former party secretary, Mr. Daniel Ibrahim ,who has debunked signing the petition and the other persons are not our members. The petition does not hold water as far as we are concerned, thus should be disregarded .
“On the the forthcoming rerun election for Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency, the Chairman said , ” APC is battle ready for landslide victory. All we know is that Hon Gabriel Saleh is a loyal party member, who has always sponsored the party and its activities without looking back. We know him as one who takes care of the party.Of course, if you’re in power, you will have more enemies, more so, that he’s widely known for given to people and helping the less privileged .
“Ahead of the rerun, we are more determined and working tirelessly to ensure overwhelming victory, God willing.”