….Submits NDC governorship nomination form, pledges to tackle insecurity, promote unity

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — Former Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Danjuma Tella Laah, has insisted that the next governor of Kaduna State should emerge from the Southern Senatorial District in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.

Laah, who represented Kaduna South in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, stated this on Thursday in Abuja after submitting his governorship nomination form at the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

He argued that the governorship should rotate among the state’s three senatorial districts to promote inclusiveness and give every zone a sense of belonging.

According to him, Kaduna North has produced governors Namadi Sambo, Ramalan Yero and Nasir El-Rufai, while the incumbent, Senator Uba Sani, is from Kaduna Central, leaving Kaduna South as the only district yet to occupy the office.

“Knowing fully that the present governor is from Kaduna Central and the other one was from Kaduna North, now I’m from Kaduna South, so at least we are meeting the demand that if A has done it and B has done it, then the next should naturally be C.

“It shouldn’t just be Kaduna North and Kaduna Central while Kaduna South is continually being counted out.

“We are trying to ensure that all the zones are taken care of. That is what fairness and justice require,” he said.

Laah said his ambition was driven by a desire to unite the state and confront its security challenges, describing insecurity as Kaduna’s most pressing problem.

“Security is one of the biggest challenges confronting Kaduna State today.

“By the grace of God, if I am given the opportunity to serve, I will do everything possible to stabilise the security situation,” he said.

He added that his campaign would be anchored on equity, security and unity as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election gather momentum.

The governorship aspirant also pledged to restore harmonious relations between Christians and Muslims, saying religious divisions had deepened in recent years.

“The differences between Muslims and Christians must be addressed. We must live in peace and we must love one another.

“In those good old days, we never knew these kinds of divisions. It is only in recent times that these issues have become so pronounced, and I will ensure that we restore harmonious relationships,” he said.

Laah stressed that all residents of Kaduna State deserved equal treatment regardless of religion, ethnicity or place of origin.

“There should be no discrimination because you are from one place or another. Kaduna people are my people.

“We all belong to one state and should relate with one another as one family. You never know who may come to your rescue tomorrow,” he added.

Responding to questions on the timing of his submission of the nomination form, Laah dismissed suggestions that he delayed unnecessarily.

“It is the nomination form, not the expression of interest form. I obtained my form long before now. Everybody has the right to choose the day he wants to submit his own. If I had submitted mine earlier, perhaps nobody would even have noticed,” he said.

On consultations ahead of his governorship bid, Laah said his aspiration had the support of his constituents.

“My coming here was not just for my personal interest. The people encouraged me to obtain the form and stood by me throughout the process.

“I have obtained the form and I am satisfied. Whatever comes my way, I am prepared to face it,” he said.

Asked to assess the performance of the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani, Laah declined to comment, saying his focus was on presenting his own agenda.

“As far as I am concerned, I have nothing to say about the present administration. My concern is to provide my own style of leadership, give the people the best I can and allow them to judge my performance,” he said.

On his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC, Laah maintained that his action did not violate any electoral law.

“The INEC rules and regulations do not prevent what I have done. Besides, in my area there was no proper APC primary election. As far as I am concerned, I have nothing more to do with the APC,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether another aspirant seeking the NDC governorship ticket posed a challenge, Laah said he was unaware of any such contender.

“I honestly do not know who the other governorship aspirant is,” he said.