In 2015 general elections, Kebbi People massively decided to elect All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom, reposing the much-needed confidence in the ability and manifestoes of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to lead in the capacity of the Governor of Kebbi State for the next four years.
Since then his election has been subject to series of litigations several condemnations, rejection and divisions within the ranks of the opposition party in the state.
The matter is still subject to litigation at a court of law hence could not comment further as not to be preemptive.
Part of campaign promises then was improvement of educational standards, agricultural revival, quality healthcare delivery, sustainable economic empowerment and jobs creation.
Two years after, the Atiku Bagudu led administration has shown it’s commitment to translating the promises into reality.
The return of Rice Pyramids, the Mobilisation of over 200 Thousand Farmers into Anchor Borrowers Program, attracting a Private Sector driven Multi-Billion Naira investment from WACOT, Initiating the popular LASKEB agricultural partnership that gave birth to Lake Rice as well as expanding the horizon of Kebbi commodities to cover enviable Lagos Markets are by no means easy.
By 2015, available statistical records indicated that annual rice production in Kebbi State was a mere 400,000 metric tonnes but with strategic planning, diversification drive and commitment by the Atiku Bagudu led administration, Kebbi State today produces over two million metric tonnes of Rice: the feat which was acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide broadcast during the 57th independent anniversary day.
Arguably, the euphoria that greeted the arrival of Lake Rice in the Country fingered Kebbi State as the latest hub of rice, impliedly responding to the country’s needs and aspirations for import substitution, foreign exchange earnings and food security.
It may also interest one to know that Kebbi State currently attracts internal investments from the Sister States more than others as Lagos alone invests more than two billion annually in rice and livestock supply as part of the LASKEB partnership arrangements/agreement
Similarly whoever lives in Kebbi observes the daily movements of trucks loads of rice and other commodities from all parts of the State heading to other States, the neighbouring West and Central African Countries as a result of massive production by Kebbi farmers, this is in addition to the local demand running into hundreds of thousands from the two leading Rice Mills, The Labana and WACOT based in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu respectively.
The same period under review saw the revival of power supply in a deliberate effort done to ensure its constant supply to aid small and medium services, cater for daily needs of households, commodity processors, fabricators and all manner of electricity users in major parts of the State. This credit too, goes to the decisiveness of the Atiku Bagudu led administration.
Other notable attributes of the State under the present leadership include : enjoying peace at all times, regular and prompt payments of salaries to workers, training and retraining of workers, implementation of promotions to workers as well as creating sustainable peacebuilding mechanism through the engagement of traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought in the scheme of governance.
In furtherance to implementing campaign promises to the electorates. Over 200 Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the State have been rehabilitated, while others have new classrooms, offices and laboratory blocks with ultramodern instructional materials to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Tuition fees and other scholarship payments are done as and when due for all Kebbi State students within and outside the Country
Healthcare delivery too received similar attention with the upcoming take off the 200-bed capacity ultra modern Specialist Hospital fully equipped by this administration. Already it hosted two successful medical outreach programs manned by Professionals and Consultants from the United States of America and Nigerian Doctors. Similar outreach is being planned this October. All these are essentially done to ease access, provide affordability and bring such rare healthcare services close to the people of the State free of charge: which hitherto are not only costly, inaccessible but beyond the reach of common man.
Pregnant Women and those on antenatal Care as well as Children are well catered for with free medication in all the 225 wards of the State.
The State Capital and major Towns are not left out in the developmental drive, as Roads, Drainages, Street Lights are being laid and erected across their streets. Within the state capital.
Accomplishing these laudable tasks and several others missed out here is not only herculean, tasking but teething considering the State of the Nation’s income that largely depends on oil sector with dwindling and meagre internally generated revenue.
Several persons are of the opinion that the lingering Court case instituted by the PDP Candidate in the 2015 General Elections is not only diversionary but also a big disservice to the State.Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a loser while other top political
Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a loser while other top political class see the court case as a welcome development where justice they say must prevail especially when 2019 has started loading preparatory for a rematch.
Kebbi electorates as at today remain divided in their opinion some awaiting the arrival of yet another opportunity to reelect GovernorAtiku Bagudu, while other electorates are strongly awaiting with key interests to hear the outcome of the court case.
