Masari in tears while presenting budget to Katsina Assembly

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, on Tuesday afternoon broke down in tears while presenting the 2023 budget estimate to legislators on the floor of the state House of Assembly.

The budget estimate is the last Masari would be presenting to the house, as he would be vacating office when he completes his second tenure next year.

He is the first state governor to rule the state on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having governed the state from 1999 to 2015.

Masari, who was initially composed while presenting the budget estimate titled Budget of Transition, however, broke down towards the end of his speech.

He said he would miss the cordial relationship his government had with the house, even as he commended the support he enjoyed from members of the business community during his seven-plus years as governor.

“I will not hesitate to express my sincere appreciation to the people of Katsina State for giving us the opportunity to serve them for eight years. I am sure our performance in the first four years must have encouraged you to elect the APC for another term of four years.

“Alhamdulillah, we did not fail in our responsibilities to improve your lives and the condition of your livelihood within the available resources.

“My appreciation also goes to the Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly for their support and co-operation.

“Indeed, one of the things I will never forget is the cordial and brotherly relationship with Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly.

“Our common goal is to serve our people, as such the Honourable House considers and gives expeditious consideration on issues we forwarded to them, especially the annual budget estimates.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the State Assembly, I hereby wish to categorically state that I will miss this excellent working relationship. I hope that the same treatment will be accorded to the incoming administration.

“As I always mention, no government can succeed without a functional, dynamic and robust judiciary. The Judicial arm of Government has within my tenure as Governor of Katsina State came up with so many initiatives to address our security challenges.

“I therefore wish to thank the State Judiciary for the support and initiatives that contribute greatly in the successes we recorded as Government of Katsina State.

“Similarly, my appreciation goes to Their Royal Highnesses the Emir of Katsina and Daura as well as other Traditional Rulers in Katsina and Daura Emirates for their support and fatherly advice on issues affecting the people of Katsina State.

“I wish to express our gratitude to Allah (SWT) for the safe return of His Royal Highness the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji (Dr) Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, CFR from a medical trip abroad. We pray for his long life and prosperity.

“In addition, I wish to acknowledge the contributions, support and co-operation of the Business Community, our elders, the Ulamas, Students, the Press, Professional Bodies and other Non-Governmental Organizations for their support and encouragement.

“Recently, our Party, the APC conducted Primary Elections during which Candidates for various positions emerged. Prior to the elections, we organized prayer sessions and prayed to Allah to select the best Candidates for the people of Katsina.

“Alhamdulillah, our prayers were answered and the best Candidates emerged in all the elective positions. I wish to call on all those that lost to accept the will of Allah and try their luck next time.

“As the 2023 elections draw nearer, I wish to call on the people of Katsina State to elect APC Candidates at all levels for continuation of the people oriented projects, programmes and policies the APC Governments at all levels are implementing.

“I am confident enough that what transpired during the 2015 and 2019 elections during which APC Candidates won at all levels in Katsina State and indeed the Federal Government will repeat itself in the 2023 Elections Insha Allah.”