Ajiya vows intelligence driven fight against insecurity, equitable development If elected

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO:- A former Chief Finance Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Alhaji Umaru Ajiya, has formally entered the race for the Sokoto East Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), placing security, education recovery, and people focused fiscal policies at the heart of his campaign.

The development, which comes amid growing national concern over insecurity and its ripple effects on education and the economy, has drawn attention beyond Sokoto State, as Ajiya frames his ambition within a broader national rescue agenda.

Our correspondent gathered that the former NNPCL finance chief has already purchased his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, signaling a decisive move into the contest ahead of party primaries.

In a major boost to his candidacy, Ajiya was on Sunday endorsed by leaders and members of the APC across Sokoto East Senatorial District during a gathering in Sokoto, underscoring what party stakeholders described as confidence in his experience and capacity.

Addressing party faithful and supporters, Ajiya declared that restoring security would be his foremost priority if elected, stressing that no meaningful development can occur without peace.

“God willing, when I am elected, my priority will be collaborative efforts with the state and federal governments to bring succour to our people in terms of security,” he said.

He painted a grim picture of how insecurity has disrupted the education system, revealing that several schools have been converted into shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), thereby denying children access to learning.

“My second priority is to rejuvenate the education sector, as insecurity has turned our schools into IDP camps. With IDPs occupying our schools, our children cannot get to school anymore,” he stated.

On economic development, Ajiya emphasized the need for strategic fiscal planning that directly impacts citizens, noting that public spending must translate into visible improvements in people’s lives.

“We need to appropriate to fiscal projects that will touch the lives of the majority of our people. The federal and state governments are trying, but with increased revenue, it is hopeful that we can do better, and Nigeria and all of us will be better,” he added.

Describing insecurity as Nigeria’s most pressing national challenge, the senatorial hopeful called for a collective approach involving both government and citizens.

“Insecurity is the responsibility of everybody not only the government but also the citizens,” he stressed.

Ajiya urged Nigerians to actively support security agencies, particularly through intelligence sharing, which he described as critical to dismantling criminal networks.

“This is in the area of supplying information discreetly, so we can tame this menace and our people can have peace once more,” he said.

He further highlighted the direct link between security and economic survival, warning that agriculture and commerce pillars of Nigeria’s economy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear.

“The bedrock of our society today is security. Without security, there cannot be farming, and without security, there cannot be commerce. If these two are absent, there cannot be a viable economy,” he declared.

Ajiya expressed gratitude to the people of Sokoto East for urging him to contest, describing the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility.

“It is a privilege and an opportunity to do my best to ensure that the interests of my people are protected,” he said.

He pledged to work closely with fellow lawmakers and Senate leadership to attract equitable development and ensure Sokoto East and Nigeria at large receives fair treatment in national resource allocation.

“I will work collaboratively with all senators and the leadership of the Senate to ensure that we have good projects appropriated for the benefit of our people. Nigeria should be fairly and equitably treated,” he assured.

The former NNPCL finance chief also vowed to uphold transparency and accountability if elected, promising to “live above board” in the discharge of his duties.

With security concerns dominating national discourse and shaping political priorities, Ajiya’s entry into the race adds a technocratic and security-focused dimension to the contest, as stakeholders look toward leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex challenges.