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| Hon Teme |
THIS IS
MY AGENDA FOR MY CONSTITUENCY- HON TEME.
Hon
Geoffrey Teme is the former Majority Leader in the Plateau state House of
Assembly and currently, an aspirant seeking the mandate of the Rukuba/Irigwe
constituency to represent them once again in 2019 under the platform of the
APC. In a chat with African Drum, he unveiled some of his plans for his people.
Excerpts.
Sir,
you are vying for the House of Assembly Rukuba/Irigwe constituency. What really
inspired you?
well,
as a former member of the House of Assembly I believe experience is one of the
lessons one always obtain where ever you find yourself. So, based on
legislative experience, I believe if given the mandate to represent my
constituency, I will bring my experience to bear. More so, I have been tested
and gave my best but I also believe that I can do more than I did previously.
It is for this reason that I submitted myself to once again, serve the people I
love most.
Is
there anything specific your constituency stands to benefit when given the
mandate?
There are a lot of things a member can lobby
for his constituency. The government always makes its intention to execute a
lot of projects which have to pass through legislative procedure. I will make
sure that not only my constituency but the whole of Bassa Local Government
benefits from these projects because I believe Bassa is the general
constituency of the two members representing it. For that reason, when the members
unite, we would bring so many good things to the Local Government. It’s obvious
that Bassa, one of the oldest local governments in Plateau State is still
lacking behind in terms of development. The local government has missed these
laudable projects as a result of the lack of lobbying power. So, with my
experience, I will be able to champion some of these causes. Again, one
important advantage my constituency will have is my relationship with Governor
Simon Bako Lalong who is not just a friend but a brother.
One of
the serious challenges facing your constituency is that of insecurity. When
given the mandate, what would you do to address or bring an end to the issue of
insecurity that has affected your constituency?
Well,
first and foremost I will begin addressing the issue of security from my
constituency between the Rukuba and the Irigwe. We have been sharing the
constituency slot among us and there has never been any problem in doing that.
So, if first and foremost the Rukuba and the Irigwe unite as brothers; as
Christians, as one body then we would extend the gesture to the settlers among
us. Because, I believe that when those living with us see the unity among us,
they will definitely tore the path of peace. When the Rukuba and the Irigwe
unite, both the Fulani and the Hausa will definitely key in and by so doing,
unity of purpose will be achieved. Understanding is the whole mark about peace.
In other words, when you talk about peace, it’s all about understanding. So, by
understanding ourselves, the desired peace can be achieved and as we all know,
there can never be any meaningful development without peace so, peace is the
ultimate thing.
Sir,
you know quite well that no political party has ever won election in Bassa LG
except the PDP. What is the guarantee that your party, the APC will win in
Bassa in the 2019 general elections?
Well, as a party man. As a loyalist to APC I
am highly optimistic that we will turn the table around this time. I know it is
a tradition in Plateau State that people always go with the ruling party. No
local government wants to be left behind. Every local government wants to
develop and move ahead. That is the gospel we have been preaching to encourage
people to go with the ruling party so we can gain from the dividends of
democracy. We must enlighten our people so they can understand that for us to
have maximum gains, we need to go with the ruling party. Again, it’s obvious
that there is a crack in the PDP in Plateau State taking into account how its
activities are being conducted. The PDP is divided and there is no cohesion.
The PDP is not as solid as the APC is. So, we have already taken advantage of
that and we will build on it and secure our victory.
You final message to the people of your
constituency?
I have
been tested and have proven worthy and capable and I know my people love me
just as I love them. I strongly believe they will give me another opportunity
to serve them. We are all human beings and we have our limitations. Where ever
I have gone wrong, I want them to forgive me. On my side, I don’t keep malice.
My heart is clean and lovely we should learn to forgive and forget and forge
ahead and build our local government in particular and Plateau State in
general.
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