Obi, Kwankwaso Engage Sokoto Residents, Promise Action on Poverty, Insecurity
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso on Monday engaged residents of Sokoto State at a town hall meeting, where they discussed some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians.
Before proceeding to the Sokoto Guest Inn, venue of the engagement, Obi paid a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III to seek his fatherly blessings.
Obi and Kwankwaso were received at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport by the NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr. Aliyu Shamsudeen, alongside other candidates of the party.
The delegation later proceeded to the town hall meeting, organised by the party as part of a series of engagements with citizens across the country. The Sokoto meeting followed an earlier engagement held in Kaduna State.
Obi while answering questions from journalists said the initiative was designed to provide the party’s leadership with an opportunity to listen directly to citizens, understand their concerns and receive their contributions on critical national issues.
He and Kwankwaso reassured participants of their commitment to promoting national unity, reducing poverty, investing in healthcare and education, and addressing insecurity to enable Nigerians to safely return to their homes, communities and farms.
The former Anambra State governor also said discussions at the meeting touched on corruption, inefficiencies associated with the fuel subsidy regime and the need to reduce the impact of fuel costs on Nigerians.
He said the party’s objective was to build an economy that would enable citizens to live decent and dignified lives in their own country.
Obi further urged other political parties and their candidates to engage directly with Nigerians and listen to their concerns.
“Let me use this opportunity once again to call on our opponents to also speak directly with the people and listen to their feedback. The very essence of democracy is people centred governance” he expressed.
He also called on political leaders and those aspiring to public office to move beyond their comfort zones and interact directly with the citizens they seek to serve.
Obi expressed appreciation to the NDC leadership and organisers of the Sokoto town hall, while commending residents of the state for their willingness to support leadership that listens to their concerns.
