There is no need to take cows to Lagos —House of Reps candidate

What is your description of quality representation?

Quality representation is not only to your constituents but to the entire country. I believe a House of Representatives member is not only representing his constituency but also representing his region and the entire nation.I am vying for this office, to enable me impact positively on those challenges facing Nigeria, such as insecurity, education, youths empowerment, electricity particularly, as all this affect my constituency, that had suffered very poor representation in the last twelve years. Unfortunately, Denge-Shuni/Bodinga/Tureta federal constituency is the largest federal constituency in Sokoto State with three local governments. It has the largest landmass of around 5,000 square kilometers of the 2,5000 square kilometers of Sokoto, which makes up 20 percent of the entire Sokoto State. That is to tell you about arable land and the huge potential that we have. We also have the largest number of wards, which is 32, 11 in Denge-Shuni,11 in Bodinga and 10 in Tureta. By extension, with this number of wards, probably maybe the highest number of polling units.

What are the potentials of the constituency?

As far as I am concerned, the population of 2006 census confirmed that we are most populous federal constituency. Those are potentials and which we agree it comes with its challenges. We have the highest number of youths, women and children as well as markets. These three local governments are blessed with a lot of markets, from Danbuwa, Kwanawa, Shuni, Tureta. So we have large numbers of our people working in those markets in various areas of ghetto market as well as well as farmers. I also find it quite interesting to tell you that in terms of traditional rulers spread, we have large numbers of district heads, 14 of them, 7 in Bodinga, 4 in Denge-Shuni and 3 in Tureta. By extension, we have the largest number of village heads, largest number of Imam, largest number of mosque, we are the most prayerful. Another very interesting thing that I see as a big potential for my constituency is that we are the gateway to Sokoto State. Dange-Shuni, Tureta is the only road that links you to Sokoto by East. If you are coming to Sokoto either by air transport, land or water, you must pass through my constituency. That is a huge asset, if you are coming to Sokoto by air, you will land at the Airport which is in Bodinga.

•  Why I want to represent Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in 2019 —Akinmade, ex-Commissioner

Do you think you have what it takes to be a member of the House of Representatives?

As far as legislation is concerned, though I know I have some things to learn when I get there, from all that I have read, I know that the legislature as an institution of government is very key in the foundation of the growth of any country. I will make sure that part of my routine is to bring lots into this country which can help to turnaround the economy of Nigeria and will also restructure Nigeria. Let me say this, I actually believe in restructuring of Nigeria. This country current position is not just working, it is not working. Economically, socially and whatever is not working. Health sector has broken down, Education has broken down, Agriculture is not encouraging, so a lot of things that we would fight hard to make sure that it will suit the reality of our dear country. One example I want to give here is that of transporting a live cow from Sokoto to Lagos, from experience of seminars or interaction I have, Lagos is a place where up to N500m of food are consumed everyday. Lagos consumed around N200m worth of meat everyday, all these are by transporting live cows in trailers in hazardous ways and not animal friendly ways. Why do we have to transport a live cow from Sokoto to Lagos?  Remember we have one of the largest cattle markets both in Bodinga and Shuni. Why not developed an agro industrial park where we can have modern abattoir system, particularly for example in my constituency where we have airport. Let the meat product be taken to Lagos in the most hygienic manner by air and the blood of all these cows can be parboiled and processed into fish and chicken feeds without throwing anything away.

Do you consider state of power in this proposal?

With power alone, we can turnaround the Nigerian economy, Nigeria has no business producing 5000/6000 megawatts electricity that we are celebrating when South Africa is generating almost 50,000 megawatts. Why must Nigeria only rely on the centralized power, we know of country where a state produces power from coal in Russia. Another state in Africa produces gas imported from Algeria. Why can’t we have a review of those small small hitches, so that we can really fend for ourselves? Let me give an example, there is a power station here constructed by BUA, they produced about 48 megawatt but evacuating the power to supply Sokoto is not possible because of the terrible law that they have to take it into the national grid. Your own power right under your nose and you can’t access it, those laws must be changed.