By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Aliyu Bello, has urged women in Karu Local Government Area to support political leaders who recognise their contributions to society and are committed to improving their livelihoods.
Bello made the call on Monday in Karu while speaking at an empowerment programme organised by Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, APC candidate for the Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency, where 600 women received N20,000 each as financial support.
The programme was organised as part of Ogazi’s efforts to empower women across the constituency and improve their economic well-being.
Bello commended Ogazi for his commitment to women empowerment, describing him as an inclusive leader whose activities transcend religious and ethnic boundaries.
“Ogazi is not a religious person; he is an inclusive builder who believes in bringing everybody together for development,” Bello said.
He urged the beneficiaries and other women across the constituency to assess political leaders based on their records of service and contributions to society, rather than allowing religious or ethnic sentiments to influence their political choices.
According to him, women should support leaders who have demonstrated genuine concern for their welfare and are willing to create opportunities that can enable them to become economically self-reliant.
Bello also highlighted what he described as developmental strides recorded in Nasarawa State under the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He cited the Mararaba flyover in Karu Local Government Area as one of the major infrastructure projects which, according to him, had contributed to development and increased economic activities in the area.
The APC chairman said the state had witnessed considerable development under the present administration, stressing the need to sustain leadership that had contributed to such projects.
On political rotation, Bello noted that the Lafia zone had produced two governors and suggested that the governorship position should now be considered for the Keffi zone.
He appealed to residents of Karu and other parts of the constituency to reject politics based on religion and ethnicity, stressing that people from different backgrounds had made Nasarawa State their home.
Bello called for unity and peaceful coexistence among the people, saying collective efforts were essential for sustainable development.
In his address, Hon. Ogazi expressed gratitude to God for the success of the programme and thanked his supporters for standing by him during the APC primaries.
He said the initiative was designed to provide financial assistance to 600 women to strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Ogazi explained that his decision to focus on women empowerment was partly inspired by his upbringing, recalling that his mother sustained the family through small-scale business.
“I gave this from my heart. My mother raised us through this kind of small-scale business, and I understand the importance of supporting women to become economically independent,” he said.
He prayed for the success of the beneficiaries and appealed to those who were not included in the current programme to remain patient, assuring them that there would be opportunities for others in the future.
Ogazi also expressed confidence in his chances of winning the Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election, promising to provide effective representation if elected.
He said his 11 years of experience in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly had given him a deep understanding of the political landscape and the needs of the people.
“I have been in the State Assembly for 11 years, and I understand the politics and the needs of our people. If elected, I will represent you well and continue to advocate for development,” Ogazi said.
The APC candidate also expressed concern over what he described as the failure of the current federal representative to adequately meet the expectations of constituents.
He urged voters to elect a representative who would prioritise their interests and speak boldly on issues affecting the constituency.
Ogazi further stressed the importance of Karu’s large voting population, urging residents to use their numerical strength to elect a representative capable of attracting meaningful projects, development and economic opportunities to the area.
He called for greater unity among residents of Keffi, Karu and Kokona, stressing that sustainable development could only be achieved when citizens put aside religious and ethnic differences and work together for the common good.