By shamsudden Ibrahim
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Sweezeland, Ambassador Baba Madugu,has called for collective action among stakeholders from the north east to ensure political success in future elections for the overall development of the region.
He also emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among political stakeholders in tackling the region’s pressing challenges.
Ambassador Baba Madugu made this known in Bauchi while speaking at the general meeting of former members of the States House of Assembly Forums, who are currently in the All Progressive Congress,APC .
He further stressed that achieving meaningful development in the North-East requires sustained commitment, strategic planning, and inclusive participation by leaders at all levels.
According to him, addressing infrastructural deficits and improving political and economic opportunities of the region remained their priority to unlocking the region’s full potential.
Also speaking the former Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Kawuwa Shehu Damina noted, both the past and serving lawmakers must play a more active role in shaping policies that would impact directly on the lives of citizens, particularly in areas of infrastructure, education, and economic empowerment.
Kawuwa Damina also expressed concern over what he described as inconsistencies in policy implementation and lack of continuity as some of the problems affecting governance and urged stakeholders to move beyond political interests for the development of the region.
Earlier,chairman of the forum, Alhaji Shehu Mohammad Bukul reaffirmed the group’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens across the region and assured members of their determination to bring about meaningful change and contribute to the sustainable development of the zone.
Meanwhile, the former APC Vice Chairman Bauchi central Zone, Bilya Bura, commended the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, for his role in supporting the forum to expand across the region.
Also speaking, a former Bauchi state House of Assembly, from Tafawa Balewa Local Government, Malam Aminu Tukur, urged members to uphold integrity and avoid compromising their values for political gain. He noted that the forum remains neutral in the selection of gubernatorial candidates within the party, pending collective agreement by members.
In a remark, Secretary of the forum Saleh Umar Nabayi, said the group would continue to operate as a unified body across the entire North East zone adding that efforts were ongoing to bring together all former APC lawmakers to speak with one voice and take unified decisions on political and developmental matters affecting the region.
The forum, comprising members who served in the Bauchi State House of Assembly from 1976 and 2023 currently in the APC, identified critical issues affecting the region’s growth with Key among them was the need for the dualization of the Akwanga–Adamawa road by the federal government.
Participants noted that the project would significantly improve transportation, boost trades and investment and enhance regional integration, economic stability as well as foundation for sustainable development in the zone and the country at large.