The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Usman Adamu, popularly known as Danchina, has called for an end to what he described as Nigeria’s “dangerous addiction” to borrowing, saying the country must turn to local productivity and self-reliance to rebuild its economy.
Danchina made the call while speaking to journalists in Jos, where he expressed concern over the continued accumulation of loans despite existing debt obligations.
He warned that continued borrowing without strengthening the country’s productive capacity could eventually put Nigeria’s assets at risk.
“This issue of credits and loans is perilous. We have not even serviced our debts, yet we continue to borrow. Soon, we may find ourselves mortgaging our assets,” he said.
The AAC candidate argued that Nigeria had enough natural and human resources to develop a productive economy without excessive dependence on external funding and federal allocations.
“Government alone cannot do everything. We must start thinking differently. Self-reliance is no longer an option; it is the only way forward,” Danchina stated.
Agriculture, local production
Danchina identified agriculture as one of the sectors capable of helping Nigeria reduce its economic dependence, saying the country’s fertile land, rainfall and youthful population remained largely underutilised.
“Nigeria has fertile land, abundant rainfall, and a vibrant youth population. If we focus on training our young people early and engaging them productively, we can rejuvenate the economy from the grassroots,” he said.
He also advocated greater local processing of the country’s mineral resources, saying value addition would create employment and ensure that more wealth remained within the domestic economy.
Drawing from his experience in the mining sector, Danchina called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and reclamation laws, arguing that mining operations should not destroy communities or livelihoods.
“Mining should not destroy lives. Companies must restore sites after operations. We cannot afford to lose both resources and lives due to negligence,” he said.
Bauchi agenda
On his 2027 governorship ambition, Danchina said he would seek to reduce Bauchi State’s dependence on federal allocations by strengthening agriculture, industrialisation and local productivity if elected.
He pledged to promote large-scale agriculture, infrastructure development and an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship and private-sector investment.
“I can assure you that if we focus on local productivity, Bauchi will stand strong on its own,” he said.
Danchina also linked economic hardship, poverty and unemployment to insecurity, advocating a community-based approach to security and greater vigilance by local authorities.
He called for unity among Christians and Muslims, saying religious differences should not be allowed to fuel violence.
“No one has the moral right to kill in the name of God. Religion should guide us, not divide us,” he said.
Danchina said Nigeria could overcome its economic and security challenges if greater attention was given to productive sectors and citizens were provided with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
