Jika Emerges NNPP Gubernatorial Candidate in Bauchi

Send. Haliru Jika, on Thursday, emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) in a voice vote in Bauchi State.

Jika, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, emerged unopposed following the voluntary withdrawal of Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, who was initially elected as the governorship candidate of the party during the primaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 630 delegates unanimously adopted Jika in a voice vote.

The Chairman of the election, Yusuf Kofar-Mata, said that they were sent by the National Headquarters of the party to come to Bauchi and conduct the election.

"Following the receipt of the letter of withdrawal of Yusuf Ibrahim from the race, and since Sen. Haliru Jika is now the only aspirant in the race, I hereby, affirm him as the gubernatorial candidate of the NNPP in Bauchi State. 

"We have 630 delegates here with us who have also affirmed and adopted Haliru Jika as gubernatorial candidate.

"I want to appreciate the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for their presence to observe all that we have done here today," he said.

Speaking after his affirmation, Jika, a former Member of the House of Representatives and former Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, expressed gratitude to the delegates and the NNPP for the honour done to him by giving him the opportunity to fly the party's flag in the forthcoming election.

He expressed appreciation to the INEC officials for witnessing the whole process.

"Joka also said that the exercise was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the provisions of the electoral act which was recently amended by the National Assembly and subsequently accented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"It is in compliance with the document that we have come here as a party to do the affirmation and the substitution.

"What is about to happen in Bauchi is what we have laid the foundation for today, it is a revolution, a generational change, agitation for youths and women, that is about to take place.

"You will agree with me that the youths and women are the backbone of any society and we are duty-bound to support them and mobilize them so that we can have good governance in Nigeria and in Bauchi state," said Jika.

Speaking on his plans for the youths in Bauchi State, he said he had put the entire youths in the state in perspective, adding that he would soon come up with a blueprint that would address their plights.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)