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Nasiru Sule Garo, (PDP, Gwarzo/Kabo federal constituency) speaks
on next year’s elections and options before the citizens of Kano State. Excerpts:

Fears of credible
elections in 2011

This is the first time Nigerians from different background and
different political parties, are coming together to agree that the man,
Attahiru Jega is credible enough as the INEC Chairman to conduct credible
elections. I have confidence that, especially with the amended electoral act
and the continued assurance we are receiving from Mr Jega and also with the
composition of the commissioners in INEC, the 2011 election would be a free,
fair and credible election. Calls for postponement of election.

The issue of shifting election date is a decision which INEC
should be left to take. So far, they have not really complained on the issue of
time, but only on funding and that is why the House of Representatives did all
we could to facilitate the fund request from INEC. You remember we had to cut
short our holiday to attend to the request. I think the amendment of electoral
act is a good thing, because it will make the INEC more independent and active
and the process also serves as an avenue through which other amendment can be
done, if the need arises in the future.

On zoning

I am in support of zoning because it has and will continue to
bring sanity and sense of belonging in our polity. Again, it is what was agreed
by our leaders; therefore I believe it should be respected. But above all, I am
a loyal member of my party and the party said that zoning should remain but
President Goodluck Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest, because
the constitution is supreme.

Assessment of state
government

The administration of (state governor) Ibrahim Shekarau, to me,
is a monumental failure because the economy of Kano has fallen woefully during
his time despite the huge resources the state got both from federation account
and locally generated revenue. There are no developmental projects, especially
in the rural areas. Education is in sorry state; there is lack of water
throughout the state and virtually every sector is neglected. Some people may
argue that there is road projects that is going on at the moment in the state
capital, I appreciate those projects because it is good for the state. But my question
is, are these only starting now? I believe the answer is simply the governor is
using the projects for his presidential campaign. Even the Kano house that was
recently commissioned in Abuja is also aimed at achieving this deceit for his
presidential ambition. All what I have to say is that his administration just
hide under the banner of Islam to plunder the resources of the good people of
Kano.

Chances of PDP reclaiming
Kano

It is very clear today that the people of Kano are no longer
interested in the ANPP government and they want PDP to take over the governance
of the state. The people specifically are rooting for Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to
vie for the governorship position and I believe they will vote for him because
they have realized that he did a lot for the state during his tenure as
governor. Above all, he has the interest of the state at heart.

Controversial
constituency project

Yes, constituency projects has been helping our constituents
today because it is really helping in providing basic infrastructure in our
localities; that is the only way a legislator can impact on his people
directly, apart from our primary assignment of making laws. You will agree with
me that some local governments and perhaps state governments have failed in
providing the much needed basic infrastructures to our people.

Therefore, the constituency project is helping in that
direction. The constituency projects would be unnecessary when the states and
local governments take their responsibility seriously. I think it is worth
mentioning here that federal lawmakers are not receiving funds for constituency
projects; rather we identify projects in our constituencies and forward it to
MDAs for execution. So, it is actually the executive that is executing the
projects. Ours is no more than identifying the project and perhaps supervising
same.

Anger of his constituents

It is not true that I have not done anything for the benefit of
my constituents. Let me use this opportunity to mention few things I have done.
I have secured federal employment for about 10 people from my constituency and
I have attracted some projects to the area. I assure you there are many more to
come.