Former Accountant-General and APC governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Zakka Ledkwi-Yakubu, has criticized the state of primary education infrastructure in the state despite increased federal allocations to both the state and local governments.
Speaking at a political mega rally organised by his supporters in Akwanga, Ledkwi-Yakubu said local government areas in the state now receive about N17 billion monthly, while the state government receives about N18 billion, yet many primary schools still suffer from poor infrastructure and inadequate learning facilities.
He commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policies that have improved federal allocations to states, noting that states now share about N2.2 trillion monthly compared to about N700 billion during the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The APC chieftain also expressed concern over the shortage of teachers and what he described as the lack of job creation and employment opportunities despite significant yearly budgetary allocations to the education sector.
Ledkwi-Yakubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, is expected to join the governorship primaries slated for May 21, alongside Governor Abdullahi Sule’s preferred successor, Senator Ahmed Aliyu-Wadada, and a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, among others.
He narrated that his decision to join the race was in response to increasing calls for purposeful and people-oriented leadership capable of lifting citizens out of poverty.
He, however, expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the forthcoming APC governorship primaries in the state.
According to him, the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, were designed to improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, but many states, including Nasarawa, had failed to translate the increased revenue into meaningful development for the people.
He, therefore, urged the residents of the state to hold political leaders at both the state and local government levels accountable for the management of funds accruing from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The former accountant general lamented that many communities across Nasarawa State were yet to feel the impact of democracy and inclusive governance, despite the state’s vast human and natural resources.
He noted that his nearly three decades of experience in the civil service had equipped him with the knowledge and capacity to drive economic growth, create opportunities, and establish a government anchored on accountability, transparency, and equity.
The governorship aspirant also pledged to ensure that the state’s solid mineral resources are harnessed for the direct benefit of the people if elected.
A widow, Rakiya Hassan, who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive interview described Yakubu as a compassionate leader who has consistently used his personal resources to support vulnerable members of society.
On his part, the State Director of the President Tinubu 4+4 Grassroots Mobilisation Movement, Wilson Kingsley, described Yakubu’s governorship ambition as a new chapter for ordinary citizens in the state.
Kingsley praised the aspirant’s selflessness and humanitarian disposition, pledging to intensify grassroots consultations and mobilisation efforts to enable him secure victory in the APC governorship primaries.
Umar Muhammed
