FCT Senate: NNPP candidate endorsed by taxi drivers

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

President of Painted Abuja Taxi Nigeria Limited, Shehu Yaradua, yesterday in Abuja, expressed confidence that Tijjani would protect the interest of the union if voted into office.

He said the union would mobilize over 8000 members in its database to campaign and ensure the victory of NNPP in the FCT senatorial poll.

Yaradua decried the attitude of past and incumbent FCT senators who sought the union’s support while seeking for votes and abandoned it when elected, adding that it was the reason its members defected from their various political parties.

He said the major problems facing painted taxi drivers in Abuja were double taxation where each of the six Area Councils would demand payment of daily operational ticket, and demanded a unified daily ticket to enable members drive freely from one Area Council to the other.

Responding, Mubarak Tijjani assured the union of effective representation that would address all their challenges and provide enabling environment for their business to strive. He said the issues of double taxation and restricted areas of operation would be solved if he won the senatorial seat.

The NNPP candidate also promised to ensure that all cars used for taxi in Abuja were painted including Uber and Bolt cars, and belonged to Painted Taxi Drivers Nigeria Limited under the union’s leadership.

He urged them to obtain their NNPP membership and INEC permanent voters cards as first step for a new Nigeria citizens desired and deserved. He also enjoined politicians to imbibe issues-based campaign and eschew violence in all its ramifications which has impeded the nation’s democratic process.

Tijjani urged the electoral umpire to provide a level playing field for all the political parties and their candidates participating in the election, stating that the mandate of the electorate is sacrosanct and must be respected  as power belongs to the people.

He commended the commission for introducing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) designed to replace the Smart Card Readers for verification and authentication as part of improved voter accreditation process and uploading of Polling Units results on INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on Election Day, adding that the electronic transmission of results has fostered public confidence in the electoral process.

Tijjani urged FCT residents to collect their permanent voters cards and come out en masse to vote for a new Nigeria which NNPP represents. He promised to attract people-oriented projects and empowerment programmes that would transform Abuja if voted into office in February 2023.