The Race for the House of Representatives Seat for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja received a major boost on Wednesday as Barrister Mrs. Zainab Marwa Abubakar, first daughter of Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Buba Marwa declared intention to pick the ticket.
Hundreds of party supporters, Ward leaders, the full complement of the FCT Chapter, APC executive and AMAC/Bwari Women leaders of the party were on hand to receive the aspirant whom they extolled for her philanthropic gestures especially towards the youth and women.
Also present at her declaration were members of the House of Representatives, Zonal party officials of the APC in the North East and officials of Adamawa state Chapter of the APC.
Barrister (Mrs.) Marwa Abubakar said her intention to contest for the House of Representatives for AMAC/Bwari constituency under the APC, was informed by her desire to touch the lives of the most vulnerable members of the FCT particularly women and the youth.
Consequently she said her manifesto is anchored on “Tailored to fit intervention programmes” aimed at putting square pegs in square holes and by this, “I mean giving the people of the constituency, exactly what they desire and want to better their livelihood.
Barr Marwa Abubakar noted that she would partner the youths and constituent members if elected by securing loans particularly single digit loans for entrepreneur empowerment adding that scholarship programmes within and outside the shores of Nigeria would be arranged for the youth also.
While praising the agricultural initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration which has restored food security in the country and improved rural economies, the aspirant said she would take agriculture within the constituency to the next level by empowering youths with infrastructure and seedlings.
Describing health challenges particularly child born diseases and other medical challenges affecting women and the youth as more dangerous than Boko Haram, the aspirant said, “I will ensure that immunization against these diseases is stepped up. Anti-natal services should not be a challenge to pregnant women. People should not be dying of Hepatitis at this age and time. We should be able to assist patients with Cancer. This constituency should have viable and accessible Health Centers.
“Most importantly, I will introduce what I have tagged Operation Sweep 2.0. This is about ensuring that sanitation is given the importance it deserves. Personal Hygiene, clean surroundings would be pursued. With adequate attention to sanitation for FCT and AMAC/Bwari, there will be a great change come 2019”.
On her motivation for the position, the aspirant said, “I want the FCT executives and the people of AMAC/Bwari constituency that despite my age-37yrs, I have work experience and life experience for this position. Though I am from a privileged background and I work, I am not satisfied with what I see around me hence I launched my NGO, Zoram Foundation many years ago”.
“We care for the less privilege, providing books, foodstuff to youths and children in schools and the needy homes.
“In 2014, some youths came to me and said, the work you are doing is good but we want you at a much bigger platform which is the House of Representatives. At that time I was not ready but as the saying goes, God’s time is the best”.
“It is a known fact that when there is no woman, there is no nation. For you to grow the society or the family, you need women. It is sad that only 4 per cent of our elective offices are held by women. For the gubernatorial, it is zero percent”.
Consequently she said, “I want to assure all present today that I will be first and only female to represent AMAC/Bwari constituency. I stand firmly on the shoulder of my father, Gen. Buba Marwa. I am a married woman with 4 children, married from Sokoto, father from Adamawa, mother from Imo State. So I am a thorough bred Nigerian ready to serve the cosmopolitan people of AMAC/Bwari Constituency”.
Chairman of the FCT Chapter of APC, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman while describing Barr (Mrs.) Marwa Abubakar as the daughter of a known, tested and trusted administrator who affected lives in the constituency where she has lived for more than 20 years, he said, “We believe that the daughter of a Lion is a Lioness”.
“We believe that what General Buba Marwa did in Lagos and Borno States as administrator and as an Ambassador, we know that Zainab Marwa Abubakar cannot come and tell us lies.
“What we want as a representative is that person that will truly represent us, that knows our problems on the ground. We are tired of pushing a vehicle reluctantly. I am assuring you that we will do our best to ensure free, fair and credible primaries for every aspirant.
General Buba Marwa in his contribution noted that having lived in Garki for 20 years, Zainab Abubakar knows what she is talking about serving the constituency hence he urged the FCT executives, ward chairmen, women leaders etc. to support her aspiration.
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