2027: PDP Gov Candidate Pledges Free Drugs In Katsina Hospitals

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State, Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke, has pledged to provide free drugs in public hospitals and prioritise the welfare of residents if elected governor in 2027.

Danmarke made the pledge while receiving more than 10,000 members of the Katsina Frontier Group, led by Alhaji Aliyu Sani, who defected from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the PDP alongside their political structures.

The PDP candidate said his ambition was not driven by the desire to enrich himself through public office but by a determination to address poverty, insecurity and the deteriorating condition of public institutions in the state.

Addressing the defectors, Danmarke said he had no intention of using public funds to acquire luxury vehicles or build houses, insisting that his priority was to improve residents’ living conditions and leave a lasting legacy.

“I am not seeking to become governor to enrich myself with public funds, change my shirts or buy cars with government money. I don’t need houses anymore. I am coming to save Katsina and write my name in gold, just like other past leaders and governors of the state,” he said.

He promised that public resources under his administration would be properly managed and channelled towards projects and services that directly benefit residents.

“Every money we invest, we shall ensure it benefits the people of the state. As a businessman, I will make sure the people’s wealth is properly managed and utilised for their benefit. I have no intention of using the funds of Katsina State to enrich myself,” he added.

Danmarke questioned why Katsina continued to grapple with widespread poverty, insecurity, poor healthcare and other development challenges despite receiving substantial government allocations.

He described the current administration as a one-man-show government, alleging that it had neglected the welfare of ordinary residents despite the financial resources available to the state.

The PDP candidate also questioned the justification for re-electing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, arguing that it had failed to adequately address insecurity despite repeatedly claiming to have done everything within its power.

He further alleged that some members of the ruling APC were dissatisfied with the administration.

Danmarke said his proposed administration would prioritise security, quality healthcare, education, peace and sustainable employment opportunities for youths and women rather than relying on temporary empowerment programmes.

“Today, Katsina people are scavenging for food on the streets, washing and eating just to survive hunger and starvation. I assure you that within the shortest possible time, we will restore security and provide free drugs in hospitals if elected,” he said.

The governorship candidate also expressed concern over the alleged deterioration of public institutions, particularly boarding schools, hospitals and tertiary institutions.

He claimed that some educationists who recently visited him complained that principals of boarding schools had been borrowing money for more than three months to run their institutions and provide food for students because of inadequate government allocations.

On healthcare, Danmarke alleged that the monthly allocation to the Turai Yar’Adua Hospital, which he said stood at N100 million during the administration of former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, had been reduced to N700,000 under the current government.

He further claimed that the hospital sometimes waited for up to three months before receiving its allocation, a situation he said had affected its operations and contributed to the departure of doctors.

The PDP candidate alleged that tertiary institutions were facing similar challenges, with lecturers leaving because of worsening working conditions.

He accused government officials of creating the impression that public services were functioning effectively while critical institutions struggled to provide essential services.

Describing the 2027 governorship election as an opportunity to change the direction of governance in Katsina State, Danmarke urged opposition supporters to intensify mobilisation, saying unseating the APC should be treated as a collective responsibility.

He thanked the Katsina Frontier Group for leaving the APM to join the PDP, describing the defection as a boost to the party’s political structure ahead of the election.

Earlier, the group’s leader, Aliyu Sani, said the decision to join the PDP was informed by confidence in Danmarke’s leadership and commitment to residents’ welfare.

Sani said the group had moved all its political structures into the PDP and pledged to mobilise members and supporters across the state.