CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE IS A SCAM, HON ABILITY TELLS BAGO

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Niger North Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, Hon. Yahaya Ability, has described the proposed construction of a new Government House behind Zuma Rock by the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as a “scam” and an avenue to squander taxpayers’ money.

Addressing journalists in Minna, Ability alleged that Governor Bago’s administration has, over the past three years, been driven by propaganda rather than tangible development, accusing the government of failing to fulfil promises made to Nigerlites during the 2023 general election.

According to him, instead of prioritising projects that would improve the welfare of citizens and ease their economic hardship, the administration has focused on what he described as luxury projects and self-glorification at the expense of critical infrastructure.

He further alleged that while many states have utilised increased allocations from the Federation Account following the removal of fuel subsidy to strengthen their economies and deliver essential infrastructure, the Niger State Government has expended public funds on what he termed “white elephant projects.”

Ability cited the ongoing flyover projects in Minna, which he said remain uncompleted, as well as several abandoned 5-kilometre road projects across the state’s local government areas, describing them as a national embarrassment.

The PDP senatorial candidate also expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating state of education and other critical sectors under the current administration.

He criticised the alleged non-payment of pensions and gratuities and decried the worsening insecurity, particularly in the Niger North Senatorial District, where he said bandit attacks have displaced many farming communities.

Questioning the rationale behind the proposed Government House project, Ability asked how such an initiative would improve the lives of Nigerlites, especially displaced farmers now living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

He maintained that key sectors of the state’s economy are “bleeding” under the present administration, insisting that pensioners and other vulnerable groups continue to bear the brunt of what he described as poor management of public resources.

Ability called on the people of Niger State to use the 2027 general election to elect leaders committed to transparency, accountability and people-centred development, saying the state deserves leadership capable of changing its development trajectory.