The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, on Tuesday rated his former Chief of Staff and Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for 2015 governorship election, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko, high, saying he is the best candidate for the plum position.
Aliyu gave the rating at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, where he addressed women and youths at a sensitization forum organized by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajia Asmau Ahmed.
Aliyu said the high marks given to Nasko followed his close study of eight young men he brought into his government in 2007, which showed that the PDP candidate emerged as the best to continue the jobs the administration has started.
Accordingly, he said: “Nasko has the character, the honesty knowledge capability to handle Niger State.
“We have brought you the youngest and the most experienced of the eight that joined our government in 2007.
“What Niger State wants now is a young person who is vibrant that will carry everyone along.”
Governor Aliyu charged the people of the state not to allow the opportunity provided by the Nasko candidacy elude them by voting massively for him in the governorship election next year.
He also asked the people of the state to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, saying that he has discussed the problems associated with the collection of the PVC with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commision, Prof. Attaihiru Jega, who promised to look into the issues raised.
Aliyu told those at the forum that his administration had been people and workers friendly since it came into office.
He said apart from paying annual bonus to civil servants, the administration has invested a lot in education, which has led to an increase in pupils enrolment from 600 pupils in 2007 to 1.4 million this year
“We have done more than any government in the history of Niger State and I believe Umar Nasko will do better than us,” Aliyu said.
Earlier, Ahmed had said the forum was organized to educate the electorate on their rights, especially as it affects the 2015 general election.
She urged them to cast their ballot for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Umar Nasko in the election.
Ahmed said the PDP government at the state and federal levels will continue the transformation of all the sectors of the economy.