The All Progressives Congress candidate in the 2023 Kwara Central Senatorial election, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has offered clarifications on the reason for his absence at the debate organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondent Chapel, Mr. Hakeem Garba, which was seen by our correspondent and read at the venue of the debate, Mustapha blamed the absence on his trip abroad.
He noted that all attempts to ensure his physical presence at the debate on Monday were unsuccessful.
“Mr. Chairman, sir, you will recall that upon receiving the invitation letter for the debate on September 23, 2022, I wrote to inform the chapel of my inability to attend the debate on the rescheduled date due to my absence from the country.
“In the interim, I had made great effort to adjust my tight schedule abroad, but all attempts to ensure my physical presence at this morning’s debate were unsuccessful.”
He however apologised to the members of the chapel, the distinguished audience and his counterparts from other political parties.
Meanwhile, Mustapha seized the opportunity to itemise his agenda for the tenth assembly, which he seeks to be part of.
He said, “While all previous occupants of the office, including the incumbent, have endeavoured in various ways to justify their election and deliver their best, I am confident in my ability to provide our senatorial district with even more commendable representation.”
Mustapha’s agenda, based on four cardinal points, include, advocating for laws and reforms, collaborating with the Kwara State Government and reducing poverty through expanded empowerment initiatives.
1. Initiating and advocating for laws and reforms that seek to improve the well-being, safety, and welfare of my constituents
2. Collaborating with the Kwara State Government, my legislative colleagues, the traditional and religious leadership, and pressure groups such as yours to influence and lobby for the rapid development of communities within my constituency.
3. Reduce poverty through expanded empowerment initiatives and increased access to employment and vocational and entrepreneurial trainings.
4. Developing the human capital assets of our communities through deliberate policies and initiatives that improve our people’s well-being.
“All of these things and more are on my agenda, not because they are politically expedient, but because I am determined to help improve the lot of my people.
“If I have consistently done what I could for our people and communities for nearly two decades through my non-profit organisation, the Saliu Mustapha Foundation, I am optimistic that I will have an even greater impact as an elected representative of the people.”
