Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi, the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate for governor of Niger state, has said that if won in the upcoming election, he will put an end to the insecurity caused by banditry.
Additionally, he promised to work with the police and other security organisations to create a tranquil environment in the state that will support the growth of enterprises.
In conjunction with his running partner, Mr Samuel Gwammna, Kantigi made the commitment during a visit to various IDP camps in the communities of Gulu and Azza in the state's Lapai Local Government Area, during which he gave N13.5 million to the victims.
Kantigi expressed sympathy to the victims for "the dreadful circumstance they have found themselves," but he insisted that a PDP administration in the state under his leadership would not only put an end to the bandits' onslaught but would also assure the correct resettlement of those impacted. According to a statement on the visit sent to newsmen in Minna, Alhaji Kantigi, in addition to giving financial gifts, he expressed condolences to those who had lost loved ones and the injured who were still recovering at different medical facilities run by the local government.
According to a quotable statement from the governor-elect, the financial assistance was given as "a gesture from his campaign council to help them pick up their medical costs and to lessen their sufferings in the current hard economic environment."
“if voted into power come 2023, this ugly security situation in parts of the state will be addressed to give way for a meaningful development” the candidate was quoted as saying.”
Kantigi, according to the statement, also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umaru Bago iii, where he told the monarch that he came to identify with the Emirate and the people over the continued attacks on innocent people by bandits.
He noted that the growing level of Insecurity in the state “requires a strong commitment and political will to bring the situation under control”, assuring that if given the mandate in 2023, “we will take the battle to these criminal elements for the overall development of the state.
“There is no society that can attain any level of development with the current security situation we have on our hands, and I strongly believe that with strong commitment and political will, the situation will be addressed” Kantigi was quoted as saying.
Kantigi told the monarch that the plight of the IDPs often give him sleepless nights, and that is why he captured adequate security, agriculture, and infrastructure and improved the welfare of the people in his manifesto.
The Emir, in his remarks, thanked the gubernatorial candidate for the visit and prayed for his success.