BY AMOS TAUNA
At a time when it is incredulously difficult to believe politicians who have repeatedly ripped off constituencies and defended their actions boldly without shame, it is a relief to have an aspirant that is a man of integrity, trustworthy, humble and sincere in the person of Brigadier General Katunku Simon Gora (rtd).
When a man fails the litmus test in action and character to faithfully discharge to the people what belongs to them, he has no business running for public office. This is why General Katunku stands out. He has the right character, humility, integrity and action to lead the people of Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the House of Representatives in the 2019 general elections.
The primaries election is by the corner to elect party flag bearers; as a result, high wired politics is here again with all manners of fake promises of what they will do to the people when elected into offices in the next four years. The destiny of Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency is in the hands of the electorate to bring on board credible person that will represent them at the House of Representatives. General Katunku has differentiated himself with a blueprint that is meant to inculcate in the minds of the people a new phase of life in politics that is not commonly known. He is a new breed politician, who has shown his people the politics of inclusiveness that is, carrying his people along in his four points agenda of tackling education, agriculture, health and security in the area.
The primary election should be a reflection of what the larger people want. It should be a piece of the big pie. If we fail to field the right person in the primary election, we would surely fail at the general elections. We should test the pulse of the people and know who they want and fill such candidate.
Stakeholders, women and youths had at different functions in the constituency aired their views as to who they feel should represent them among the aspirants that have shown interest in the seat. General Katunku Simon Gora’s foresight, purpose and ability to have a different approach between elected and electorate has given the people hope that the General has what it takes to restore confidence in the hearts of the people that democracy is indeed worth doing by ensuring that it shouldn’t be left in the hands of greedy politicians that have seen politics as a business venture.
They have commended General Katunku Simon Gora’s foresight in organizing a workshop of educating and enlightening the people on security, education, agriculture and health. Experts furthered expatiated on the above areas to their satisfaction. Most of them could not hide their joy on what they learnt and the benefits acquired. They opined that the aspirant has what it takes to ensure a total turn around in the lives of the people.
“General Katunku Simon Gora has answers to the lingering problems confronting the people and that is why as an experienced and exposed person who really desire positive change in the lives of his people, he has carefully identified areas to tackle in order to ensure total turnaround of the lives of his people by inculcating in their hearts harmonious relationship irrespective of their differences,” a follower of his programmes observed.
A former House of Representatives represented Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, Mr. Godfrey Gaiya, while declaring his support to General Katunku said, “I am here in this declaration because l am an apostle of truth, fairness and ensuring that the right thing must be done.
“I hereby endorsed General Katunku Simon Gora as the PDP candidate in the 2019 general elections. I have not attended any declaration by any aspirant for the Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency contesting for the House of Representatives and l will not, it is a far reaching decision of party stakeholders in the local government to endorse the candidacy of General Katunku.”
The Director General of the campaign organization, Tsahiru Bako, explained that it is the aspirant’s purposeful leadership qualities that endeared him to accept to lead the project. “I see him as a new breed politician that has a good vision for his people. He values whoever comes to him, respect people and go to them irrespective of their status to interact with the people.
“He wants to set the pace of uniting the people in the constituency without rancour or bitterness but politics of love, unity and understanding among one another. He wants to create the kind of politics that can stand the test of time in the politics of Southern Kaduna.
“These are the type of people needed in PDP that will add value to the people by ensuring that the dividends of democracy are clearly seen and enjoyed by the people.”
Some of the youths said that General Katunku Simon Gora has removed doubt in the minds of people that he is serious by ensuring he really add value to his people if he is given the mandate in 2019 to represent the constituency. “To me, l see this retired General as a man that is determined to make a change on how politics should be practised by ensuring that the common man has something doing to earn a living,” one of the youths observed.
A woman who has been following the aspirant programmes said, “Even before going to the National Assembly, he has proved his worth to the people by making himself very clear of what he intends to do for by making mostly women and youths self reliance through skills acquisition.”
Tauna writes from Kaduna and can be reached at amostauna@gmail.com
