Published By Olukayode Idowu
Stakeholders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Askira/Uba and Hawul local government areas of Borno State have asked a serving member Borno State House of Assembly (Hawul constituency), Hon Ayuba Wakawa to move up in the forthcoming election to the House of Representatives.
Traditional rulers including the Emir of Uba, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, and that of Askira, HRH Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Askirama II have also blessed the aspiration of Hon Wakawa and wished him well in his aspiration.
Wakawa, who is on his third term as a member of Borno State House of Assembly, representing Hawul local government, has declared his intention to contest on the platform of APC for the House of Representative seat when he visited the two local government areas that formed the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency.
The lawmaker, who at the weekend paid a visit alongside his teaming supporters to both Hawul and Askira/ Uba local government areas, was received by mammoth crowd that greeted him with a shout “Sai Wakama”, showing his acceptance.
Addressing the delegates and party supporters separately in the two council areas, the APC Deputy Chairman zone B, Hon Aliyu Yerima said: “Time has come for a change, and the only change is Hon. Wakawa to be elected as House of Representatives Member for the constituency, having all the support he (Wakawa) enjoyed from Governor Babagana Umara Zulum led administration.”
The Chairman of the APC in Hawul, Alhaji Auwal Mamman, said: “Time has come for delegates to vote wisely by giving their own support to Hon. Wakawa who have all it takes to represent the constituency.”
He said Wakawa during his 12 -year at the state assembly has done credibly well in the provision of people oriented projects such as construction of classroom blocks, drilling of boreholes, distribution of poverty alleviation materials and agricultural inputs, as well as numerous youths and women empowerment initiatives across the council area and beyond.
Also, while addressing delegates and party faithful in Askira/Uba, the APC Chairman, Ahmed Ibrahim and some state executives including Luka Moussa called on all and sundry to ensure they give their maximum support and cooperation to Wakawa aspiration to emerge as candidate on the APC platform and subsequently win as federal lawmaker in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
Wakawa and his entourage also paid formal visits to the Emirs of Uba and Askira at their respective palaces to seek their blessings.
The two Emirs who were very excited to receive him, prayed that may God to grant Wakawa all his political wishes, and urged him to carry everybody along in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities when given the mandate.
Wakawa in an interview with journalists after his declaration, expressed satisfaction with the large turn out of delegates and party faithful to welcome him and his entourage, noting that, his aspiration has nothing to do with self interest, but a strong believe and hoping to see Hawul/Askira is progressing like other neighbouring local government areas.
He said: “My aspiration has nothing to do with self interest, but a strong believe and hoping to see Hawul/Askira is progressing like other neighboring local government areas. This is what necessitated us to join the race.
“Under our leadership if elected into office, we will make youths and women empowerment our priority, as well as give respect and support to the traditional institutions, including all irrespective of political, religious or ethnic backgrounds.“