Abbey Aku set to contest for Jos North/Bassa by-election seat
Story from Yakubu VENTIM, Jos
The Plateau State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Hon Joseph Abbey Aku has concluded arrangements to contest for Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency seat in the forthcoming by-election in the state, with a promise to continue the legacy projects of late Hon Haruna Maitala.
The Commissioner disclosed this at a press conference held at the Bishop Court on Sunday, He frowned at the campaign of calumny against his personality regarding the contest for the by-election.
Abbey Aku draw the attention of the general public to a publication making rounds in social media regarding his intention to contest the by-election for Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency occasioned by the death of the former occupant (late Hon. Haruna Maitala) of blessed memory.
According to him, “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have even contemplated joining issues over a write-up by a coward and faceless person.
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“However, the said article being circulated is not even an opinion on my aspiration but outright falsehood, misplaced and malicious information intended to tarnish my image.
He said the write-up signifies the best definition of mischief and exhibits the motive, intent and purpose to discredit him.
“The sponsors of the write-up said my endorsement is from a religious body. This is the height of insensitivity, decay in morals and pure desperation. It is also unfortunate that the publication was said to be drawn from an interview I granted.
The Commissioner added, “Let me make it categorically clear that I have never granted any interview to any medium regarding my ambition to contest the by-election. The public is hereby, strongly advised to disregard the said publication.
He explained further that those who know him closely would attest to the fact that he has always been a man of the people owing to his background as a well-cultured man.
“In my years of sojourn in the political terrain, I have never received an endorsement by any person or group to succeed. My manifesto has always been my selling point and I have always believed in teamwork irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.
“I have made it clear and would still want to state here that my interest in the House of Representatives is because it’s the more vibrant of the two chambers. Based on my orientation as a politician, I have realised that it’s the House of Reps that people express themselves through the most; it also avails one an opportunity to meet and network with fellow Nigerians from various backgrounds and competencies. It is also where the strategic population is concentrated because there, you find young people with multidisciplinary backgrounds, exuding energy and knowledge on how the country can be governed.
“Consequently, I have the vision to offer service and collaborate with Nigerians to deliver on key areas that affect my constituency, most importantly, peace and security.
“I shall vigorously lobby for projects for my constituents; being a former senior legislative aide in the National Assembly, I am conversant with the dynamics. These and more are the pure intentions I have for my people. Again, I want to be judged as a reformist. I have considered the activities of the legislature and I am interested in driving the reform process to make it better.
Abbey Aku also appealed to all contesting not just for the by-election but any other political position to engage more in revealing what they have for the electorates rather than engaging in campaigns of calumny aimed at destroying the reputation of others.
