Barr. Rabi Adamu Musa-Manchi is a young politician whose eyes are fixed on becoming a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Jema’a Constituency. She obtained her degree in Civil Law from the University of Jos, Plateau State, and was thereafter called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012. Happily married with a daughter, Mrs Musa-Manchi also attended an Entrepreneurship certificate course at the University of Connecticut, United States of America, among other schools. The lawyer, who was recently at the Aso Presidential Villa Abuja to witness the signing of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, shares her vision with SIMON REEF MUSA on why she is into politics
Your are of the selected youths invited to witness the signing into law the Not-To-Young-To-Run Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari. How far do you see this law encouraging youths to participate in governance?
There is no doubt the presidential assent on the bill is encouraging, as it lowers the number of years required for youths to contest certain elective offices, especially that of the president those aspiring to be lawmakers in their state houses of assembly. By signing the bill into law, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence on Nigerian youths in their ability to lead. As someone who witnessed the event, I am happy that our President has come out to express his support for the youth to take advantage of the bill and come out to contribute to political governance. The Nigerian youths are full of resilience and by calling on them to embrace active politicking early in life; such effort has served as a great encouragement.
You’re from the southern part of Kaduna State where the APC is said to be an unpopular brand. Do you think you are on the right platform to realise your ambition?
I really want to tell you that the APC is a popular platform in southern Kaduna. Forget attempts by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to claim popularity status. At least, we have seen the changes Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is bringing to the state, including the southern. Lots of development projects are being achieved and the people are happy. Yes, governance is all about development, but you cannot attain all development targets within a span of four years. The long years of the PDP years and the need to redress some of the injustices left behind by the PDP will take several years, if not decades to redress. All I can tell you is that APC is a popular brand in Southern Kaduna and I am poised to take advantage of its popularity to contest for 2019.
You specifically stated that the APC Government in Kaduna state has achieved much in terms of development. Can you point out specific areas of these achievements?
I am from Maigizo ward in Jema’a Local Government Area. In my ward alone, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) has been renovated and there are road projects ongoing right now. The same goes for Bade ward and other wards in the Jema’a LGA. If you go to other parts of the local government, you will see development projects ongoing. Critics of the state government have refused to see the unprecedented positive side of this government. The APC Government in the state has embarked on massive renovation of schools and hospitals to improve the quality of education and healthcare delivery to the citizens. I believe that no previous governments have done better than the current government in developing the state.
But many have accused the governor of being insensitive to killings by herdsmen in Southern Kaduna. Are you satisfied with the manner the state government is handling the killings in the state?
Security is a complex problem and not only the responsibility of the government. Security has always been the responsibility of all. First of all, I sent my condolences to all Nigerians, especially the people of my local government who have lost relations and properties over the violence. I know personally that the state governor has not been sleeping over these incessant killings in the state. As the Chief Security Officer of Kaduna state, he has been in constant touch with security organisations in a bid to enhance the security of lives and property. This is demonstrated by his recent formation of a state vigilante organisation to assist and collaborate with other security organisations to tackle security challenges in the state. We have also seen the impact of Governor el-Rufai’s constant interaction with federal security organisations through increased presence of operatives in the state. I can assure you that with cooperation and collaboration from all, the state government is poised to overcome these security challenges very soon.
How sure are you in getting the APC ticket?
I am sure as the dawn after the night. I have held several consultations with all the wards and my campaign team is not leaving anything to chances. I have my supporters and they are desirous of change. They believe in me and have vowed to support me to the end. We need a new vision and orientation to represent them at the Assembly. In line with the aspiration of my people, they see in me someone who is capable of delivering on this new vision. As a lawyer and expert on advocacy, I believe that my candidacy is capable of igniting the flame needed to take my people to the next level. My people cannot wait to see me take my seat as member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
What is the focus of your campaign?
My campaign is anchored on a new start and new vision for my people. Unfortunately, most Nigerians at the grassroots are not well uninformed on the role of lawmakers. As a member of a law-making tier of government, I shall be committed to making new laws towards improving quality of life for my people. This can be achieved through constant interaction with my constituency and sponsoring bills to meet their expectations. As a member of the assembly, I shall dwell on issues that empower youths and bring development to the grassroots. I am appalled by the level of poverty among the people and any society that does not tackle poverty is a society sitting on a time bomb. Improvement of people’s living conditions through enabling appropriate laws shall form the fulcrum of my legislative pre-occupation.
What would you do differently when elected as member of Kaduna State House of Assembly?
I will interact with members of my constituency and always feel their pulse in every of my decision as member of the law-making organ. Presently, the grassroots are left behind when it comes to taking important decisions. I promise to always interact with them and make them see reason behind actions of the lawmakers. I shall also advocate regular interaction of electorates with their representatives in a bid to assess their relevance and proficiencies in the performance of their mandates. There is a huge gap in the information channel; I shall do my best to bridge it and create a harmonious understanding between the electorate and my constituency. I shall also explore channels of collaboration with foreign and local groups towards developing my constituency. In brief, this is what I shall do differently when elected as member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
If at the end of the day, you are not successful in getting the ticket, will you jump ship?
I am into this race to get the ticket and not to lose it. If I lose, I am yet to consider the option of jumping out of the APC ship. As I speak with you, I see myself as the only candidate to beat. All others are yet to have the political mileage I have garnered. I am in the race to get the ticket; that I can assure you. Considering efforts my supporters have deployed to this project, victory is assured. I represent the symbol of the new face of politics. I have the endorsement of my constituency as the next member of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Jema’a Constituency.
Will you jump ship if you don’t get the ticket?
I am a loyal party member and I believe in the vision of the APC. If I lose the ticket, I shall stick to the party and work towards its victory in 2019.
