Local Government Councillors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have decried the incessant killings and attacks by terrorists and bandits in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

The councillors, numbering up to 44, said the killings had claimed hundreds of lives and the attacks led to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

According to them, the attacks in Southern Kaduna, just like other parts of the state, have not only claimed several innocent lives, they have destroyed communities and their means of livelihood, leaving residents of the zone in a state of hopelessness and despair.

At a news conference in Kaduna, the Secretary of the forum (of councillors), Zacharia Achi, said apart from insecurity, Southern Kaduna also had the challenge of infrastructural decay owing to government’s negligence over the years.

The dearth of needed infrastructure, he explained, had significantly affected the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people of the zone.

As a result, the councillors resolved to support and vote for only candidates who have the capacity, competence and courage to represent Southern Kaduna and attract development.

In view of the criteria, the forum resolved to support the candidacy of the PDP Senatorial candidate, Sunday Katung, whom they believe has the qualities of attracting development and security to Southern Kaduna.

They said, “We need not remind you that Southern Kaduna, just like other zones in Kaduna State, has been on the wrong side of the news, owing to the criminal activities of terrorists,” they said.

“These terrorists have ransacked our villages, rape our Women, killed and kidnapped our brethren, including children. They have destroyed our communities, leaving our citizens homeless. With impunity, these terrorists have continued to carry out attacks on our communities unchallenged.

“Apart from insecurity, our zone is also suffering from infrastructural decay, owing to government’s negligence. We are suffering from a lack of roads, lack of electricity, lack of healthcare system and industries.

Defending their backing for the PDP candidate, they said, “We need someone who the whole Kaduna South Senatorial District and Southern Kaduna can believe in, someone who has the will and the courage to see justice prevail and ensure fairness to the citizens. We need someone who has the capacity to see beyond rhetorics, someone who has the National and International network to make our zone better, someone who can change the negative narrative of the zone for the better. We need someone with the capacity to influence and attract development to the zone and we are in dire need of someone that can unite the people.

“Make no mistake, the task ahead is indeed daunting but surmountable. A better Southern Kaduna is possible and we cannot afford to experiment at this time. We need a visionary Senator that will set the agenda and make the zone better, we need a senator that would pull all our elected representatives together in unity for the general good of our people.” (Channels TV)

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