Katsina: PRP, NNPP gov’ship candidates for Media Trust’s townhall
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Katsina, Alhaji Imran Jaafar Jino, and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Nura Khalil, have committed to participate in the Media Trust’s proposed governorship town hall meeting.
Expressing delight, the candidates said it would serve as a platform for them to address the people of the state on their manifestos.
Jino said, “By accepting this invitation, we are not doing Media Trust any favour, but we must be thankful to you for giving us this opportunity.”
On his part, Khalil, who was represented by his running mate, Dr Muttaqa Rabe Darma, said his party would be happily available for the meeting.
“I so much believe that the media should help change the people and I believe you can do it. We will therefore attend and we will give you a written commitment to that effect,” he said.
Earlier, while briefing the candidates in their campaign offices yesterday, chairman of the planning committee of the townhall meeting, Dr Suleiman A. Suleiman, said considering its multimedia and wide reach, Media Trust Group Limited considered it a social responsibility to connect potential leaders with the public in order to deepen democracy.
“As a multimedia organisation, we see it as an additional responsibility to use our platforms to bring politicians and the people together with the view to improving governance.
“One way in which we intend to do that is by organising townhall meetings with governorship candidates whereby we will give them the opportunity to tell the people how they intend to govern the state and for people from different backgrounds to ask questions pertaining to issues,” he said.
Suleiman also met with some of the security chiefs in the state over the initiative.
In his response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) in Katsina, M.D. Shettima, said synergy with the media was one of the 8-point security agenda of the Commissioner of Police, Shehu Usman Nadada.
“I can assure you that we will give you the adequate cooperation and maximum security coverage you desire when the time comes,” he said. On his part, the Director of Department of State Services (DSS) in the state also welcomed the idea and pledged maximum support towards the successful implementation of the initiative. Suleiman said the meetings with other parties and stakeholders would continue today.