• Says appointment shouldn’t be based on family ties & political connection

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Forum of Northwest Senatorial Candidate, a group, has said that the nomination of sons and daughters of some prominent politicians into the Northwest Development Commission, was an affront to democratic culture and values.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna,
Balarabe Rufai, ADC Senatorial Candidate Kano Central 2023 election,and
Convener Forum of North West Senatorial Candidate 2023,said the people of the North West of Nigeria commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his visionary decision to establish the North West Development Commission.

He said “this development brings hope to the region, fostering economic growth, addressing pressing infrastructural issues, and creating opportunities for our people.”

” We applaud this forward-thinking initiative and believe it will play a crucial role in advancing the welfare of the region.
However, while we appreciate the President’s efforts, we are deeply concerned by recent developments that threaten to undermine the integrity of the Commission.”

He said it came to their attention that a letter purportedly written,sought to nominate the children of serving politicians for directorial positions in the Commission.

” This attempt to place privileged individuals in these roles under the guise of stakeholder representation is both inappropriate and unacceptable.”

“We strongly reject this and call on the President to take immediate action. If this nomination process has already been approved, we implore the President to halt and reverse it. If it has not yet been approved, we urge him to disregard the self-serving letter entirely.”

They said those who wrote the letter, do not have exclusive authority over the North West Development Commission, nor do they have the right to dictate the region’s leadership in such a manner.

They frown at the idea of appointing directors based on political connections and family ties,saying ” It is an affront to decency and a clear example of selfish political maneuvering which must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.”

“We call on the Minister of Works to urgently address the issue of the Kaduna-Abuja road. It is an embarrassment that, despite 10 years of APC governance, this critical infrastructure project remains incomplete. As major stakeholders in the region, we find this delay unacceptable and deeply troubling. We urge swift action to complete the road and alleviate the hardships faced by the people of the region”.

“We stand united in our commitment to the progress and prosperity of the North West and the entire nation. Thank you, and may God bless Nigeria,” Balarabe Rufai said.