The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Adamawa State, Abdulrahman Haske, has defended his decision to select a woman as his running mate, describing the choice as a deliberate step towards promoting women’s representation and strengthening inclusive governance.
Key Highlights
- APM governorship candidate Abdulrahman Haske says choosing a female running mate was deliberate.
- He unveiled a seven-point agenda covering security, agriculture, wealth creation and empowerment of women and youths.
- Haske proposed a 70 per cent inclusion target for women, youths and children, without giving implementation details.
- He dismissed criticism over his age, saying it should not be a barrier to his ambition.
- Haske urged journalists to uphold factual, objective reporting of the campaign.
Haske, who spoke during an interaction with journalists in Yola, said his decision was informed by the need to give women a stronger voice in political leadership and ensure that their interests are adequately represented in government.
The candidate also unveiled his campaign’s seven-point agenda, which he said would focus on security, agriculture, wealth creation and the empowerment of women and young people, among other development priorities.
His position places the participation of women and youths at the centre of his campaign message as political activities ahead of the governorship election gather momentum in the state.
Why Haske Picked a Female Running Mate
Explaining the rationale behind his choice of a female deputy governorship candidate, Haske said the decision was intentional and reflected his desire to ensure that women had a voice in policy formulation and government decision-making.
According to him, women play important roles in families and society and deserve adequate representation in political leadership.
“Women are mothers, and I want her to stand in for women,” he said.
Haske maintained that his running mate would be positioned to represent the interests of women and contribute to policies designed to address their concerns.
He described her as an experienced woman who had travelled widely across the African continent and was now prepared to bring her experience to bear on the development of her society.
Although he did not provide further details about her professional background, Haske expressed confidence in her ability to contribute to his administration’s proposed development agenda.
The decision to choose a woman as his running mate also forms part of his broader campaign message on inclusion, with the candidate seeking to present his proposed administration as one that would provide opportunities for groups he believes deserve greater participation in governance.
70 Per Cent Inclusion Target
A major feature of Haske’s campaign message is his proposed 70 percent inclusion target for women, youths and children.
He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise these groups in its governance agenda, particularly in efforts to create opportunities, promote participation and support social and economic development.
However, the candidate did not specify how the proposed 70 per cent target would be distributed among women, youths and children or whether it would apply to political appointments, employment, economic empowerment programmes or other areas of governance.
Details of the implementation framework, including funding arrangements, measurable targets and accountability mechanisms, were also not provided during the interaction.
The proposal nevertheless signals the importance Haske attaches to inclusion in his campaign, with its practical impact likely to depend on how the promise is translated into policies and programmes.
For women and young people seeking greater access to opportunities, the central question will be how the proposed commitment would be implemented and measured if the APM candidate wins the election.
Seven-Point Agenda
Beyond inclusion, Haske said his campaign was anchored on a seven-point agenda intended to address key development concerns in Adamawa State.
He identified security, agriculture and wealth creation among the priorities, alongside the empowerment of women and young people.
The candidate did not provide a detailed breakdown of all seven points during the interaction, but he presented the agenda as the foundation of his proposed approach to governance.
His emphasis on wealth creation and youth empowerment comes amid continuing public interest in employment opportunities, economic participation and the capacity of political leaders to provide practical solutions to challenges facing young people.
Haske said his age should not be a barrier to his political ambition, responding to criticism from opponents who have questioned his youthfulness.
He maintained that his ambition was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of the state and create more opportunities for young people.
Read also:
- Haske Dumps APC, Emerges APM Governorship Candidate In Adamawa
- Adamawa Governorship Candidates Sign Peace Accord In Yola
- Adamawa YPP Gobernatorial Candidate Unveils 17-Point Agenda
According to him, his proposed administration would also seek to build on what he described as the developmental efforts of the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
While expressing confidence in his chances in the forthcoming election, Haske said his campaign would focus on presenting its policy proposals to the electorate.
The APM candidate also used the interaction to appeal to journalists to uphold factual reporting, objectivity and professionalism in their coverage of political activities.
He stressed the importance of responsible journalism in providing citizens with accurate information about candidates, campaign promises and policy positions.
Haske pledged to maintain a working relationship with the media as he prepares to commence campaign activities, saying journalists have a role to play in informing the electorate and promoting public understanding of political programmes.
For more political news, follow us on X.
