Nami’s Guber Declaration Will Strengthen Democracy, Promote Quality Leadership in Niger – Dagaci
Nami’s Guber Declaration Will Strengthen Democracy, Promote Quality Leadership in Niger – Dagaci
By Mohammed Baba
Engr. Muhammadu Dagaci, President-General, Community Associations for Good Governance and Rural Transformation (CAGRAT) and Zarumi Agaie, has described the declaration of Dr. Muhammad Mamman Nami, former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to contest the 2027 governorship election in Niger as a positive development for democracy and good governance.
Dagaci, in a statement issued on Sunday in Minna, said Nami’s decision to offer himself for service reflected his democratic right as a Nigerian and would provide the people of the state with another choice ahead of the 2027 election.
He said democracy thrived on credible alternatives, adding that citizens should be given the opportunity to assess competing ideas, programmes and leadership capabilities before making their choice at the polls.
According to him, a multi-party democracy without credible alternatives could weaken representation and accountability, stressing that the people of Niger State should therefore regard the emergence of Nami as an opportunity to deepen democratic participation.
Dagaci said healthy political competition among competent sons and daughters of the state would compel all aspirants to raise the standard of their campaigns and focus on issues affecting the people.
He identified security, agriculture, education, infrastructure, roads and youth empowerment as some of the critical areas that should dominate political debates ahead of the election.
“This competition, if issue-based, has the potential to deliver better governance and faster development to our communities across the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State,” he said.
The CAGRAT President-General urged political actors, supporters and other stakeholders to approach the 2027 election with maturity, tolerance and genuine brotherhood.
He cautioned against hate, bitterness, political insults and other forms of divisive rhetoric, saying such tendencies could undermine the unity and development of the state.
“Elections will come and go, but Niger State will remain. Let the contest be about ideas, track records and what each candidate will do differently for our farmers, students, markets and security,” he said.
Dagaci called for a shift from what he described as “exclusive politics of the few” to “inclusive people politics”, where the welfare and aspirations of the people remained the central focus of political engagement.
He said the emergence of Nami and other potential aspirants should challenge the incumbent and all contestants to answer a fundamental question: “What have we done, and what will we do better for the people?”
He urged the electorate to assess every candidate based on capacity, character and connection to the grassroots, rather than political sentiments.
Dagaci also called on all governorship aspirants to conduct clean and issue-based campaigns devoid of thuggery, fake news, ethnic or religious divisions, malice, hatred and personal insults.
He appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free, fair, credible and peaceful electoral process.
He also urged the government to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the 2027 governorship election.
Dagaci congratulated Nami for offering himself to serve the people of Niger State and wished all other aspirants well in their political endeavours.
He expressed optimism that the emergence of the best candidate with the genuine interest of Niger State at heart would ultimately strengthen the state’s democratic process and development. “For Democracy. For Niger State. For Our People,” Dagaci said.
