BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has said that the choice of his running mate for the 2019 governorship elections, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe is based on her competence and antecedents.
El-Rufai, who broke his silence at the Government House, Kaduna on Tuesday while playing host to the people of Sanga Local Government Area where Dr. Balarabe hails from, narrated the journey that led to her choice.
el-Rufai said; “About a year ago, the Deputy Governor, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala told me he was going to contest for Senate, I was in dilemma to get a replacement for Architect Bantex.
“So, we started piling list of people for consideration, and I had up to 32 names, including names of some people seated with me here today. Then, we started selection and dropping of names based on merit. From 32 manes to 17 to 12 and then 5 names, three males and two females.”
Explaining how he tried to get in touch with Balarabe, the governor said the next challenge for him was how to get Dr. Balarabe’s number and that it was his third wife that gave it to him after he made some calls.
“When I called her, she said she was in Kenya. I told her that she will be my running mate in the 2019 elections and I asked her whether she accepts. She did not give an answer immediately but called me back after some minutes and said she accepted,” the governor explained.
El-Rufai said after making the choice, many respected persons called to tell him that he made the right choice as Dr. Balarabe is hard working and competent.
In his words: “From the beginning, I had told my team that, I will never choose or deny anyone appointment because of religion or ethnicity.”
While speaking on Dr. Balarabe’s giant strides in her previous assignment, El-Rufai said his running mate has repositioned the state primary healthcare development agency where she was Executive Secretary.
Earlier, the representatives of Sanga people said the appointment of their daughter, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as the running mate to the Governor for the 2019 election has given them hope that they actually belong in the affairs of governance.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the traditional ruler of Numana, Etu Numana, Brigadier-General Aliyu Yamma (Rtd), said over the years, the successive government had forgotten the people of the area as far as participation in government is concerned.
Yamma said; “The governor couldn’t have made a better choice than the selection of Hadiza. We now feel a sense of belonging in Kaduna government. We are just like black Americans in Kaduna State.”
He also appealed to el-rufai to ensure the establishment of Army Battalion in Sabo Gida village area of the local government because of insecurity in the area.
According to him; “The Sabo Gida has become a hideout for criminals, these criminals run from Plateau State to hide here, so we are calling on the governor to help us with the establishment of Army Battalion in Sabo Gida.”
