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•How I’ll offer quality representation for Adamawa Senatorial zone
Mohammed Ibrahim Atta is the former chairman of Yola North Local Government area of Adamawa State.
In this interview, he averred that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be defeated next year, going by what happened at the recent Osun governorship election.
He also explained why he wants to represent Adamawa Central Senatorial zone at the National Assembly in 2027 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
You want to represent Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly next year. What have you identified as the major challenge or problems of the senatorial district?
It is the same problem of hunger, insecurity, poor healthcare and infrastructural decay that is facing all Nigerians due to poor leadership and lack of ineffective representation of our previous representatives. I will do my best by making sure that our children will go to school, assist the state government to see that there is adequate security, and also enhance healthcare delivery services, empower farmers for agricultural development and above all, there is peace by seeing that communities are adequately policed.
But as a senator, how can you assist the government to address the issue of insecurity?
Well, you know as a senator, we only advise but I will make sure that I will be part of the group that will advise the executive to increase the number of people into the military both in the police and other arms of the military like the Army, Air Force and Navy. I will also support strong state police that will combat insecurity at local grassroots level.
All the senators that we have had in the past, their impact in the lives of our people were not felt at all. They have done nothing to sustain the support of the people.
But what would you do differently?
I will be very proactive in making sure that my senatorial district will get what belongs to them from the national level because I am very sure that our governorship candidate will emerge as the governor next year.
I will interact with relevant stakeholders to attract dividends of democracy to my people.
Again, I am not impressed with what is happening at the 10th National Assembly as it is undemocratic because they have turned the place into a propaganda cycle and also as a rubber-stamp assembly. They have changed the legislative agenda from that of a people-oriented assembly.
So, I want to join people of like minds to change the bad narratives that are going on there by the grace of God.
What is your take on the last week governorship election in Osun state?
You see, what happened in Osun State during the last governorship election will tell you that All Progressive Congress (APC) will suffer serious defeat during the next general elections. APC sent about 30 governors and other stakeholders like the Senate President to Osun State to fight Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party, yet they couldn›t do anything. It is a big sign and lesson of what will befall the APC next year. They spent all the money and boasted that they will do this and that but failed to achieve the result they wanted.
You’re of the PDP, but the state is being ruled by the APC. Why do you think you have a chance?
Well, number one, up till today, PDP is the only party, in spite of the distractions here and there, that the people of the state still have confidence in. It commands great love among the people.
Secondly, remember also that as a former local government chairman I have a very good relationship with the people and that was why they asked me to run and continue to offer service to them and to humanity. Also you know that all the local governments are controlled by the PDP.
You also have the APC, NDC and ADC contesting against you in the same senatorial district…
Honestly, I am not trying to underrate anybody but I can tell you that none of those other candidates from the other parties you have mentioned is equal to me. They are second-class politicians in the state compared to me in this coming election. I don›t have any fear about any one of them. They only have money but no grassroots support like me. They lack the political experience and competency which is my strongest weapon in the election.
Again, you know how Nigerians feel about the All Progressive Congress (APC) in this country now and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is looking like the APC because they want to steal power and run but unfortunately the APC has disappointed Nigerians with their performance.
Do you still think the PDP in Adamawa State still has that capacity and acceptance to win elections?
Yes, I assure you that they have because people have learnt their lessons. And people are of the view that the PDP is the only party that has the interest of the people at heart. I can tell you that Maurice Vanoboiki, our governorship candidate is loved by the people and he will win by the grace of God. I am telling you to wait and watch what will happen during the election. I believe the PDP will take over Adamawa State by May 29 next year.
