By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Kaduna State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Usman Shehu Bawa, popularly known as Shehu ABG, has pledged to end unequal resource allocation and ensure that development reaches all three senatorial zones if elected governor.

He also promised to make the people the driving force behind budget preparation and execution, insisting that government projects and policies must reflect the actual needs of communities rather than the preferences of those in power.

Shehu ABG made the pledge during a town hall meeting with PDP stakeholders in Zone One, held in Zaria over the weekend.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, the candidate, who attended the meeting alongside his running mate, Amos Adamu Gandu, said his administration would adopt a bottom-up approach to governance, allowing citizens to determine their development priorities.

He said his government would be anchored on people-centred policies, fairness, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

The PDP candidate also called on residents to support his ambition, assuring them that his proposed administration would pursue equitable distribution of resources across Kaduna’s three senatorial zones.

The meeting attracted religious leaders, student groups, women and youth organisations, Community Development Associations, PDP officials from the state and local governments, and candidates contesting various positions on the party’s platform.

Addressing party members, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Danbaba SayaSaya, urged candidates to take their manifestos to the grassroots and explain their programmes directly to voters.

He expressed optimism about the party’s chances, declaring that there was light at the end of the tunnel for the PDP.

The state PDP Chairman, Edward Percy Marsha, also urged Kaduna residents not to allow themselves to be deceived again, arguing that they had experienced the differences between PDP governance and that of other political parties in delivering democratic dividends.

In their separate remarks, representatives of religious groups, students, community associations, women and youth groups expressed support for Shehu ABG and voiced satisfaction with his manifesto.

They pledged their support for his governorship ambition, according to the statement.