An influential southern Kaduna group, the Youth Awareness for Peace, Unity and Development (YAPUD), has declared its full support for Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, vowing to ensure his re-election as Kaduna State Governor.

YAPUD in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, signed by the Chairman, Abubakar Aliyu Galadima, said the decision was taken during a meeting that day in Kagoro, Southern Kaduna.

The group said the decision is based on the achievements of the el-Rufai administration, dismissing rumours that the people of the areaare not in support of the Governor’s re-election for a second term on March 2, 2019.

The statement reads in full: “The ultimate scorecard for assessing any government’s performance is the trickle down effects of its policies and projects to the people of the grassroots in the society. Today in Kaduna State the masses are reaping the seed that they sowed in 2015. Today in Kaduna State, the people of Zaria Local Government Area know what pipe born water looks like, feels like and tastes like after over 30 years of being abandoned. Today in Kaduna State we’ve seen the rehabilitation of government owned primary and secondary schools not just in terms of infrastructure but man power as well.

“We’ve seen the revitalisation and “resurrection” of the primary health care centers across all the local governments in the state. We’ve seen the reconstruction, rehabilitation and construction of all roads (be it main or minor) across the state with examples like the dualisation of the Kawo, College and Rigasa roads, the expansion of the PZ road in Zaria, among others. We’ve seen the general upgrade of Kaduna State from an analog state to a digital state.

“Indeed, Mallam Nasiru has worked tediously and diligently to make Kaduna State great again with the overhaul and standardisation of the state’s civil service, the creation of new and necessary departments and agencies for effective and inclusive governance like KASTELA, KADGIS, among others, which have raised the level of IGR in the state and simultaneously created jobs for the people of the state.

“The dwindling issue of security in Kaduna State has been as a result of the readiness and ruthlessness of this quintessential blessing of a governor towards anything that is of risk to the lives and properties of the people of Kaduna State which was evident in the way the recent crises in the state were handled. Today in Kaduna State the type of governance is one that is ethnic bias-free, religious bias-free and in general sentiment-free.

“At this juncture, it is important to highlight the gender friendliness and equality exhibited by the governor which is evidently represented in his cabinet selection and most importantly in his choice of a running mate.

“Today, 1st January 2019, in Kagoro, the Youth Awareness for Peace Unity and Development forum which has over 1,400 associations under it converged for a consensus and declaration of support meeting for Governor Nasir el-Rufai where books, T-shirts, face caps and other campaign materials were shared to members and people of the community around.

“It is also important to highlight the fact that the people of southern Kaduna refuted the claims or rather rumours that they are not in support of this governor par excellence and thanked the governor for choosing one of theirs as his deputy, especially the women from the area, saying that he knows the true value of a woman in the society. In their words, they will “ensure the governor wins the election in southern Kaduna before 3pm on the day of the election”.

“It should be noted also that this association is not sponsored by anyone or the government. This is purely member-driven and all expenses incurred are covered by the members of the association.

“With these aforementioned achievements and progress that Kaduna State has achieved within this little period of time, I, Abubakar Aliyu Galadima, the Chairman, Youth Awareness for Peace Unity and Development; my Deputy,Steven Caleb Kigudu, and all the members of this progressive forum want to assure His Excellency, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, of our unwavering support and relentless efforts towards ensuring his landslide victory in the upcoming elections. Indeed, Kaduna State does not deserve mediocrity and mediocrity cannot be associated with Mallam! We stand with el-Rufai for a greater Kaduna State!