Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, gave the charge at the weekend, saying this would ensure that they render quality service that would guarantee a more meaningful life for the common man.
The governor added that this would also go a long way in entrenching the tenets of democracy as well as enhance peaceful co-existence.
Speaking at a civic reception organised for him in Gombe by his supporters and party loyalists on his return from this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Dankwambo advised leaders to see the opportunity they have as God-given and make the best out of it.
Expressing gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the state through democratic dividends and appointments of Gombe indigenes into key positions at the federal level, Dankwambo said he would continue to be grateful to the people of the state for the privilege they have given to serve .
“I am particularly very happy with the reception and number of people that I have seen. I did not consider it to be a political gathering but a collection of the people of Gombe State, who came out in their numbers to welcome me,” the governor said.
Maintaining that he has benefited immensely from the society, Dankwambo assured that he would surely give back by not betraying the trust of his people.
According to the governor, “I was surprised when I heard that they have passed a vote of confidence on me, not endorsement, but a vote of confidence by my people that they don’t mind if I continue in office, but that requires a lot of consultations.
“I have said I will do just that. Even the opportunity I have to serve now is a big privilege for them to have found me worthy out of over four million people of the state. I will never cease to thank them for the opportunity I have always got from them. A substantial part of my life has been spent in public service. That means I have been riding on the back of Gombe and now is the time for me to pay back.”
Disclosing that he had not gone on pilgrimage for the past 20 years, the governor said he took time while in Saudi Arabia to pray for the progress of Gombe State and Nigeria as he stressed that fasting and prayer was the only secret behind the peace being enjoyed in the state.
He therefore advised politicians not to insist on winning at all times during elections, saying power only comes from God, who gives to whoever he wants.
Speaking earlier at the occasion, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Shua’ibu Sabulu, stated that the people of the state were satisfied with the performance of President Jonathan and Governor Dankwambo , promising to support their re-election bids in next year’s general election.
