will prioritise security to enable farmers return to farms – Haske

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Askira/Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno state, Kudla Milinda Satumari Haske, has promised to prioritise efforts to tackle insecurity and enable farmers displaced by violence to return to their farms if elected in 2027.

Haske, who is contesting the House of Representatives seat, said insecurity had severely disrupted farming activities in the constituency, stressing that restoring security was essential to reviving agriculture and improving the livelihood of residents.

“My focus is on seeing that all efforts, without politicising our efforts, are towards making sure we find some solutions or contribute towards finding a solution to the issue of insecurity,” he said.

He noted that residents of the constituency were predominantly farmers and could not fully engage in agriculture without adequate security.

“Our people are mainly farmers. We want them to return back to their farms,” Haske said.

The PDP candidate also promised to push for the provision of agricultural and infrastructural facilities that would support farmers and stimulate economic activities across the constituency.

“We want agricultural and infrastructural facilities to be provided for them,” he said.

Haske identified education and healthcare as other areas that would receive attention under his proposed representation.

“We want education, healthcare and all that,” he added.

He said his decision to contest the House of Representatives election was influenced by appeals from traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups, party stakeholders and other members of the constituency.

Haske said he had initially decided not to participate in the 2027 election but changed his mind after consultations with stakeholders who called for a new direction for the constituency.

“At a point, I was actually not going to even participate in the 2027 election,” he said.

“But when the pressure became much that I needed to be part of the evolving political landscape, a couple of respected individuals from our community, traditional institutions, religious institutions, youth groups and women cried out.”

He said he eventually accepted to contest after considering the reasons presented by the various delegations.

“And after compelling reasons that they gave, I had to succumb, and I accepted to run as a candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Askira/Uba, under the platform of the PDP,” he said.

Haske said his representation would focus on the immediate needs of Askira/Uba while contributing to broader development efforts in Southern Borno.

“The advantage of me accepting to run for the House of Representatives now is that my broader goal for Southern Borno can be focused on the Federal Constituency, which will make a greater impact directly to the immediate constituency,” he said.

He also said his political movement, Haske, remained distinct from the PDP and had supporters across different political parties.

“Haske, as you know, is a movement. It is not a political party per se,” he said.

“I have supporters that cut across all political parties, and we have been with them.”

The candidate said his broader vision for Nigeria, Borno State and Southern Borno had not changed despite moving from a Senate ambition to the House of Representatives contest.

“So, Haske’s vision for Nigeria has not changed. Haske’s vision for Borno State has not changed. For Southern Borno, it has not changed. For the immediate people of Askira/Uba, it has not changed.”

He said the change in his political ambition was largely due to the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The only dynamics that have changed is because of the political landscape and the permutations that we have therein,” he said.

“It has now moved to go to the National Assembly, not as a senator, but as a member of the Federal House of Representatives.”

Haske said his ultimate objective was to use legislation, representation and oversight to ensure that residents benefited from democratic governance.

“We are all working towards making sure that our people get the dividends of democracy, that good governance is put in place, and that oversight functions are provided, so that the implementation of policies and projects that will touch the life of our people are achieved,” he said.