Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2015 elections, has promised to embark on radical reforms and policies that will benefit the people of the state
Yero, who was deputy governor, became governor following the death of former governor, late Patrick Yakowa on December 15, 2012.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Kaduna state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists on Tuesday, the governor explained that his reluctance to embark on some radical people oriented reforms, was in order not be misunderstood as being against the people, especially as the 2015 elections draw closer.
Explaining the rationale behind the ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state capital and some other parts of the state early this year, the governor said the action, though painful, was taken in order to secure the state from the hands of criminals.
Yero also urged media practitioners to be objective in their reportage and dwell less on issues that are capable of dividing the country or heat up the polity.
Delivering his keynote lecture at the event, human rights activist and President of Transition Monitoring Group, Mr Festus Okoye, identified some of the challenges that will mitigate against the smooth conduct of the election including insecurity, poor distribution of permanent voters cards, eligibility problem and the desperation of politicians to win at all costs.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address PVC issues and ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised during the forthcoming election.
According to Okoye, the 2015 election is not about Nigeria alone but the international community, who are interested in its outcome, adding that the election presents Nigerians with the opportunity of electing genuine leaders whose mandate will be able to give hope to the people.
