Nasarawa APC gov candidate meets Tinubu, unveils agenda

Nasarawa State's All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada, presented his "HEART" development agenda to President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing improvements in Nigeria's macroeconomic indicators since May 2023. Wadada, who visited the President at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, highlighted positive trends in foreign reserves, the naira's stability against the dollar, and other economic indicators.

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If the truth should and must be said, let us look at all the indicators. All the indicators that show economic growth and development of a system are all looking very glaringly promising and brighter than what they were.

"If the truth should and must be said, let us look at all the indicators. All the indicators that show economic growth and development of a system are all looking very glaringly promising and brighter than what they were," Wadada told journalists. He noted that the parallel market had been unified, contributing to the naira's stability. While acknowledging that "not all is well" and more needs to be done, he criticized those who "wish away this administration," calling them ignorant or enemies.

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That is not to say all is well. Much more needs to be done. But for anybody to sit down and wish away this administration, then that person is either ignorant, not realistic, or an open enemy, because opposition is different from being an enemy.

Wadada's HEART agenda focuses on Human capital development (education and health), Energy and mineral resources, Agriculture and the green economy, Rural and urban development, and Trade, investment, and security. He specifically cited the Electricity Act's potential for states to generate power and Nasarawa's significant lithium processing plants as key opportunities under the 'Energy' pillar.

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The H stands for human capital development, covering education and health. The E stands for energy and mineral resources, with Wadada citing the passage of the Electricity Act and its presidential assent as having opened the door for states to generate their own power, and noting that Nasarawa was home to Nigeria’s first and second lithium processing plants. The A stands for agriculture and the green economy, with a plan to create three agricultural hubs, one per senatorial district, each anchored on the comparative agricultural advantage of that zone. The R stands for rural and urban development, while the T stands for trade, investment and security

He also pledged to continue the work of the outgoing administration led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, whom he credited with raising Nasarawa's profile and economic potential. "There cannot be any mediocrity after a Sule. The present administration in Nasarawa State has raised the bar, broadened and deepened the scope of what Nasarawa State is," Wadada stated, expressing his commitment to meet high expectations.

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There cannot be any mediocrity after a Sule. The present administration in Nasarawa State has raised the bar, broadened and deepened the scope of what Nasarawa State is. So much is expected of me, and God willing, we shall deliver.