The vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Lawal Daura, has attributed Nigeria’s persistent poverty and insecurity to leadership failure.

Mr Daura, running mate to the APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, stated this during an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lafia.

He spoke on the sidelines of the party’s North-Central Town Hall Meeting.

Mr Daura, a former director-general of the 

State Security Service (SSS), said Nigeria was blessed with abundant human and natural resources.

He said the country also had fertile land and a large market capable of supporting economic prosperity.

“God has blessed our country immensely. If you are a business person, you will find a vast market.

“Yet poverty and insecurity persist everywhere. What is the problem? The main problem is leadership,” he said.

Mr Daura said he and Makinde were not career politicians seeking personal wealth but successful private individuals offering themselves for national service.

“Neither of us entered government without having reached a level of success in our personal careers.

“Politics for us is not about seeking worldly riches; we have passed that stage. It is about serving the people,” he said.

He said the APM’s agenda was to “reset Nigeria” and provide the country with a clear direction.

Mr Daura called on youths, elders and even citizens below voting age to support efforts aimed at restoring good governance.

He also urged journalists to uphold truth and accuracy in their reporting to enlighten Nigerians and contribute to addressing the country’s leadership challenges.

Also speaking, Abubakar Dabai, chairman of the Kwararafa Artists Forum, said artists were using music and TikTok influencers to promote the APM’s message nationwide.

Mr Dabai said the initiative was designed to take the party’s message beyond Nasarawa State to other parts of the country.

He said plans were underway to establish a media office and host Northern journalists and online television operators.

According to him, the initiative would help amplify the party’s cassava symbol and its political message.

APM supporters, including singer and popular artist Khadijat Adam, popularly known as Khadija Suleja, said their Rogo (cassava) songs were deliberately composed.

They said the songs followed research aimed at promoting the new party and uniting its supporters.

The supporters also offered prayers for the party’s victory from the presidency to the state Houses of Assembly, saying this would usher in good governance. 

(NAN)