In a rowdy but colourful event that sent quick jitters into the spines of oppositions, gubernatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Borno State, Captain Ibrahim Kadafir Mshelia set the ball rolling in his campaign to assume the seat of leadership in the state with a promise of hope for the visibly deprived people.
In his speech at the take-off rally at the El Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri, Borno State capital city, Mshelia\promised the teeming electorates that he has a mission to rescue the devastated state and provide the basics to help return the dignity of the people of the state
Part of his tasks, he said, would be to provide free education, at least from primary to secondary level as well as construct new roads and rehabilitate existing ones if voted to run the state.
The erudite aviator turned politician, Mshelia who was received by thousands of youth at the stadium clearly stated that he intends to run a clean and civilised campaign cum government where peace will be the watch word.
He further stressed that being a poster child, he chose to make acquisition of requisite education a major factor in his government in view of the challenges he faced as a child growing up in that environment.
“I am personally a lucky citizen of Borno because I received a good care while growing up and was supported by Borno State Government to go to school up to my being a pilot. I am grateful to our past leaders who then had conscience and fear of God, “he said.
Mshelia lamented the current deteriorating state of infrastructure and equipment in Borno State, noting that a quick fix is desirable to rescue the state and its people from the path of total collapse and poverty.
“Today, as I drove through our biggest city of Borno to this venue, I could hardly hold back tears of pain, seeing our teeming youth in the state of abject poverty and neglect, not to mention the decay in infrastructure.”
He blamed the lingering problem on leadership deficit which has propped up inefficient leadership that foisted itself on the people over time, but rather than using the abundant resources on the land to better the lives of the citizenry, foisted itself on the people to rape and plunder their lots.
He said: “Due to bad leadership that has raped us of our dignity, we have also found ourselves in the current insecurity situation whereby we now take up arms against ourselves killing thousands of innocent civilians, women and children. Children born 10 years ago have not known what peace is in our dear state.
“Our infrastructural deficit is not the only problem. Our heroes, civil servants, youths and elderly have been damaged to the point that they have all lost their self-esteem and dignity.
“May God forbid that you elect such leaders again on March 2nd to continue to plunder our resources.
“If elected, I will reverse this trend by providing the basics to all communities so that we can restart our lives. These will include; clean water, primary health care, free education from primary to secondary at least, construct new roads and rehabilitate old ones, reform the civil service where hard work pays off and each and everyone’s dignity will be restored. Retirees will receive their entitlement before current workers always and no more victimisation in the public service will be tolerated.”
On his plan for a peaceful campaign, Mshelia said: “I intend to run a decent and civilised campaign where peace will be the watch word. I shall show exemplary attitude and encourage all of you, my supporters, to copy and follow. I shall dwell strictly on issues and no personal or character assassination on anyone. ”
By Gboyega Adeoye
