The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Askira/Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State, Kudla Milinda Satumari Haske, has pledged to prioritise security and agricultural recovery if elected in 2027.
Haske said insecurity had disrupted farming across the constituency and forced residents away from their farms.
He said restoring security would be central to reviving agriculture and improving livelihoods in the predominantly farming communities.
“My focus is on seeing that all efforts, without politicising our efforts, are towards making sure we find some solutions or contribute towards finding a solution to the issue of insecurity,” Haske said.
Haske targets farmers’ return
The PDP candidate said residents could not fully resume agricultural activities without adequate security.
“Our people are mainly farmers. We want them to return back to their farms,” he said.
Haske also promised to advocate agricultural and infrastructure facilities that could support farmers and stimulate economic activity.
He identified education and healthcare as other priorities he would pursue if elected to the House of Representatives.
“We want education, healthcare and all that,” he added.
Why Haske joined the 2027 race
Haske said he initially planned to stay out of the 2027 election.
He changed his decision after consultations with traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, women organisations, party stakeholders and other residents.
“At a point, I was actually not going to even participate in the 2027 election,” he said.
He said community delegations later persuaded him to contest, citing the need for a different political direction in the constituency.
Haske subsequently accepted the PDP ticket to contest the Federal House of Representatives seat.
From Senate ambition to House race
Haske said his broader development vision for Nigeria, Borno and Southern Borno had remained unchanged.
However, he said political calculations surrounding the 2027 election influenced his decision to pursue a House of Representatives seat instead of a Senate position.
“The only dynamics that have changed is because of the political landscape and the permutations that we have therein,” he said.
He said representing Askira/Uba/Hawul at the federal level would allow him to concentrate his development agenda on the constituency while contributing to wider efforts across Southern Borno.
Haske movement cuts across parties
The candidate also clarified that the Haske movement is separate from the PDP and has supporters across different political parties.
“Haske, as you know, is a movement. It is not a political party per se,” he said.
He said the movement’s broader vision remained focused on development and good governance regardless of political affiliation.
Focus on representation and oversight
Haske said his ultimate objective would be to use legislation, representation and oversight to improve the delivery of government programmes in the constituency.
He promised to push for projects and policies addressing the immediate needs of residents while contributing to broader development across Southern Borno.
“We are all working towards making sure that our people get the dividends of democracy, that good governance is put in place, and that oversight functions are provided,” he said.
His proposals remain campaign commitments ahead of the 2027 election and would depend on electoral victory, legislative priorities and available government resources.
For residents of Askira/Uba/Hawul, the central question will be whether the promises translate into improved security, restored farming activity, infrastructure and access to basic services if Haske wins the seat.
