The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, has dismissed as inconsequential some online polls being sponsored to assess the chances of candidates in the 2023 general elections.
He said the electorate would determine the fate of flag-bearers of politcal parties in the polls physically when the time comes and not what he described as amateur and fake online polls.
Ajia, who addressed Journalists in Ilorin on the sidelines of maiden politcal debate of the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), took a swipe at his counterparts from other parties who failed to honour the invitation for the debate.
The PDP flag-bearer noted that the debate was an avenue for candidates to communicate their vision and aspiration to the constituents directly and not the other way round.
Ajia informed that he had toured villages in Asa and Ilorin West Local Government Areas and already have firsthand information about the desires of the communities and the populace .
He stated that his constituents deserve good representation than what they are currently getting, assuring that he would work with like minds, lobby and influence developmental projects to the constituency if given the opportunity to serve.
“I’m talking to the people in my constituency that I’m ready to speak for you with the loudest voice, represent you in a modest way that you ever wish to have. That is why I’m here today. I’m prepared to be on this (Kwara NUJ) debate with my co-contestants. But it is unfortunate that they don’t even have respect for anybody.
“Instead of appearing for this debate, they are going around, running some malicious fake online polls. I don’t know what that intends to achieve for them. You don’t run election online. Election is done by the people. And you are being called now to come and speak to the people and you are running away from the people. So, who do you want to represent if you are not ready to talk to the people? Let them ask you question, tell them what you know about representation, what you know about the National Assembly, what constitutes the National Assembly, what is your own duty to the people you want to represent, how do you assist them to alleviate poverty and how do you assist them to improve social amenities within the communities.
“I can boldly tell you that I have gone round all the communities in Asa and Ilorin West Local Government Areas. I have listened to the people, I have heard their yearnings and I have firsthand information. I have seen what the issues are and I have seen the level of decay of infrastructure. I have related with them and they have explained to me the pains they are going through since the coming of the current administration in Kwara State.
“So, we are ready to work together to usher in a new administration that will ensure dividend of democracy is delivered to common people. This is what I have come here to do. But it is unfortunate that these people refused to show up for this debate”.
