Senator Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expressed concerns that many Nigerians misunderstand President Bola Tinubu’s significant infrastructural policies.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, noted that the criticisms trailing the Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry road projects stem primarily from ignorance about their potential benefits.
“The Coastal Highway offers immense benefits. It will drive economic development in the surrounding areas. Similarly, the Sokoto-Badagry road will unlock significant potential in the region, which hosts about 37 dams along its stretch. There is also a comprehensive plan for holistic animal husbandry along that corridor,” Wadada explained.
He attributed the need for more public awareness about these initiatives to the Ministry of Information’s failure to effectively communicate government programmes and policies. According to him, the ministry has been relegated to merely serving as the president’s mouthpiece instead of promoting vital government initiatives.
The lawmaker further urged Nigerians to discard divisive sentiments that hinder national development. “We must move past these nonsensical sentiments, or we risk stagnation,” he said.
Speaking on his political philosophy, Wadada emphasised the importance of voter education, which he credited for his party’s strong performance in the 2023 elections.
Wadada dismissed the politics of religion and ethnicity, urging Nigerians to embrace unity. “There is no justification for antagonising anyone based on their religion or ethnic background. I have risen above such divisive politics,” he said.
Addressing reports of being courted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wadada, who is tipped to contest the Nasarawa governorship seat come 2027, stated: “I am open to dialogue with all stakeholders, but no decision has been made yet about returning to the APC. For now, we are observing events, and time will tell.”
