Ahead of the February 25 2023 National Assembly and presidential elections, Ilorin West/Asa PDP House of Representatives candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, has promised that if elected as reps member next month, he will be advancing a federal legislation that will seek to reform the nation’s security architecture.
He submitted that reformation and reorganization of Nigeria’s security architecture will help greatly to tackle insecurity and ends security fears in the country.
Ajia said this in Ilorin on Wednesday during the unveiling ceremony of his manifesto at a media event attended by journalists including Team@orientactualmags.com.
‘One of the things that is missing today is that there is no law that is stating how internal security is carried out and that is why I said one of the first things I’m going to do if I get elected is to sponsor a bill that will take care of the national security architecture of this country. This bill will take care of the role of the security agencies, what is expected of them.
In Africa today , we recognize Egypt as a country that is somewhat better when it comes to security matters. And what is the reason for this? The reason is because they have more undercover agents including the uniformed security agencies. As we are here gathered today, if it were to be in Egypt, maybe 50% of the people in this hall may be security agents. And the way they do it is a covert recruitment that you will not even know each other. A few years ago, some Nigeria Police officers went for a peacekeeping mission outside Nigeria along with police officers from Egypt and they saw two among them exchanging pleasantries and open-mouthed in awe and they asked what was going on and one of them said to the Nigeria police officers: ‘This man has been my friend for over 20 years. And he’s a member of the Egypt national police and I didn’t know for 20 years’ . They go out together, they drink together but this guy has been a secret police officer. The only opportunity he had to know about this was because they met while on a foreign mission.
Our officers returned to Nigeria and advised us that we need to strengthen our internal security. Let the DSS be strengthened. And we will rely on them for intelligence gathering . Let the police also take a lead role in internal security. Every other security that has a role to play in the national security, let their role be properly defined. And let there be proper coordination’ he said.
The PDP reps candidate added that what will be his priority if given opportunity to occupy the Asa/Ilorin West parliament seat ‘is to solve what has become a national problem which is insecurity by sponsoring a bill that will reform the internal security architecture of this country’.
Giving his take on the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Ajia said it has helped to enhance electoral integrity and end vote rigging.
He however emphasized the need for vigilance to frustrate those who may seek to hack the web server.
The PDP candidate, who has promised Asa/Ilorin West people quality representation if elected as reps member next month, also added that ‘I can assure you that what I will not do is to disappoint my federal constituency in any way’.
Ajia had earlier before taking questions from reporters unveiled his manifesto and promised to ‘attract federal government presence and support to our communities , actively participate in the decision making process in the House of Representatives, build strong partnerships with government contacts and institutions for the benefit of our people, initiate programmes and projects that will empower our young people through sustainable jobs and do the people of Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency proud’.
The reps hopeful also added that he will be bringing to the table; ‘a fresh perspective that identifies with the lived experiences and felt needs of our people, combination of public service and private sector business experience that will solve our problems in pragmatic ways, a nationwide network and contacts across Government institutions, a profound experience in community service through the MAI Foundation which continues to keep me close to the raw challenges our people face daily, a deep appreciation of the current security challenges Nigeria is facing and a solid knowledge of what is needed to solve our problems and how to do so’.
Ajia also gave as his ‘mission statement’ ; ‘ restoration of hope and pride to our people, reduction of poverty in our constituency, improvement of productivity and stimulation of economic activities in our communities, provision of sustainable opportunities and sources of income to our people, enhancement of security and peace in our communities and securing a prosperous future for us, our youth and generations to come’.
Noting that he had demonstrated his commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the federal constituency through his MIA Foundation, Ajia promised to use his membership of the House of Representatives to mobilize necessary resources, partnerships, and connections to improve the lives of ‘our people’.
Ajia, who promised to keep his word, added that he will be ready to face questioning if he fails to fulfill his campaign promises.
‘Politicians always speak and make promises. Our people have heard so many political promises in the past but not fulfilled.
However, I want to crave your indulgence to take note of my words. I would like you to take note of everything I have said here today and to hold me accountable for my words’ he said..
Giving his speech, a former state lawmaker, Hon Isiaka Magaji submitted that Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia has all that is needed to give the constituents the desired quality representation adding that he has courage, communication power and network of friends.
Kwara state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Mohammed recalled that Ajia had while seeking gubernatorial nomination a few years ago, conducted himself in a very honorable manner adding that he is well- prepared for legislative duties , has courage, competence and capability.
Describing him as a politician that has constructive thinking skills, the PDP Chairman also congratulated Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency people for having a candidate that is ‘qualified’ and ‘competent’.
Also speaking , Chairman of the state APC Campaign Council , Hon Ahmad Ali urged electors in Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency to vote for Ajia in order to encourage people who are not ‘typical’ politicians to join politics.
Iyaloja of Kwara state, Alhaja Adenike Abdulkareem Lambe also urged market women in the federal constituency to vote for Ajia noting that being the son of someone who had engaged in petty trading and knew what it means to be poor, he will definitely impact their lives positively if elected as reps member.
Giving a goodwill message, Hon Abubakar Bade described Hon Ajia as a gift to the people of Kwara state while urging electors in Asa/Ilorin West federal constancy to vote for him.
‘He has been blessed by God even before now, he is not a poor man, he was born into a family that struggled to send him to school but today he has sent many people to school’ Bade said.
Chief Ifeanyi Clement Okorie also called Ajia a trustworthy person noting that he would have wished that the PDP reps candidate be allowed to represent his own constituency in Ebonyi state if possible.
Disclosing how Hon Ajia had helped to facilitate an inter-state road project a few years ago to protect the interest of Kwara and Osun states, Okorie said Ajia will be the envy of other constituencies if elected as reps member , saying ‘he is grounded, he will deliver for you and fight for you, vote for him’ .
He later donated 30 million naira to the Ibrahim Ajia Campaign Organization while Alhaji Seifulahi Babangida also announced the donation of 20million naira on behalf of the Metro Men.
Political bigwigs at the event include, Kwara state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Mohammed, Chairman of the state PDP Campaign Council, Hon Ahmad Ali, Isin/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Ekiti PDP reps candidate, Hon Dare Bankole, former Chairman, Ilorin West local Government, Hon Sikirulahi Sholagberu, former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hajia Ramat Abaya, Alhaja Joke Shuaib and a former state lawmaker, Hon Isiaka Magaji– Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
