Bauchi: Where continuity is best option
019 is approaching and Nigeria’s political landscape is changing, thanks to the heat being generated by the resurgence of partisan politics in the build up to the next round of presidential and general elections when a new set of executives and legislators would grace the political scene.
For some people, 2019 is still too far, but for us in Bauchi state; however, 2019 is not that far which therefore underscores the imperative for setting the pace of the struggle for determining the political future of the state. The necessity for doing so is accentuated by the glaring desperation by some dreamers to hijack power and by so doing, halt the march to glory and prosperity which the governor, M.A Abubakar is resolved to fast track.
As a full blooded son of the soil, who after his graduation, has spent the better part of his working career in the state and has therefore witnessed the rise and fall of Bauchi under successive administrations, M.A Abubakar assumed the mantle of leadership fully prepared to give the state the leadership it deserves. And this exactly what is he has been doing since his ascension to office.
For those who know him, however, Governor Abubakar has been an administrator par excellence, a stickler for due process and an apostle of change from the reckless manner Bauchi State was misruled in the not too distant past.
It is, therefore, borne out of conviction for continuity of the progressive and people oriented leadership style of Governor M.A Abubakar that prominent citizens locally resident or in diaspora and other friends of Bauchi State floated Project 2019, which sole objective is working for his reelection to continue with the good works he has so for initiated. The project 2019 initiative, a brain child of private individuals, indigenes and non-indigenes, community groups and politicians alike, is driven by patriotism and is about continuity of the dynamic leadership of the governor who is strongly bent on engineering a process of reform aimed at achieving a radical transformation of the socio - economic fabric of Bauchi State. Project 2019 is about the imperative of mobilizing the masses, workers traditional rulers and all social forces that have benefited from the policies and programmes of the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration in the state to work toward insuring that the party retains power in the state and the Nation in general in 2019.
For the avoidance of doubt, M.A Abubakar’s transparent, focused and result oriented leadership have not gone unnoticed as reflected in the appreciation, recognition and honours conferred on him at home and abroad. For instance, in 2016, Nigerian Civil Society Group in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) conferred an award on him as the most prudent Governor in spending the hail out funds provided by President Muhammadu Buhari to state governments across the Federation. This followed a forum convened by the two groups where each of the 36 Governors of the Federation was expected to come and defend his handling of the bailout funds granted by the Federal Government. Unfortunately, most of the 36 Governors failed to attend, the only exception being Governor Abubakar who came and gave a detailed account of how every kobo of the bailout funds were spent. In the same vein Democracy Group Africa in recognition of his good government and transparent leadership conferred on him, the prestigious Nelson Mandela award for Excellence. M.A Abubakar was in this very year (2017) recognized as best Governor in Urban renewal and infrastructure by the Abuja Housing show. The Interparty Advisory Council also conferred on him an award for Excellence in Peace Tolerance and Stability in the North East Region.
These awards underscore the giant strides made under Governor Abubakar towards the rehabilitation of infrastructure like roads, schools, healthcare delivery facilities and water supply among others. Indeed, it is a matter of fact that there is no community in Bauchi State that has a not benefitted from one project or the other initiated by this administration.
The above awards apart, M.A Abubakar is the only Chief Executive to date that has been conferred with a traditional title by the six Emirate Councils of the state since its creation. The Bauchi Emirate Council conferred on him the prestigious title of Makama Babba. Governor Abubakar was also turbaned as the Sarkin Bauran Katagum by the Katagum Emirate Council. In Misau Emirate Council, he was turbaned as Magajin Gwanin Misau while Jama’are and Ningi Emirate Councils conferred on him the titles of Marafan Ningi and Magayakin Jama’are respectively. Dass Emirate Council turbaned him as Matawallen Dass. The conferment of traditional titles on the governor is not limited to his home state but extends to others states. In this context, the conferment of the title of Sarkin Yakin Lamidon Akko by the Akko Emirate Council is worth mentioning.
Precisely, Governor Abubakar’s achievements have been subject of appreciation and recognition in Nigeria and abroad. That is why the forces behind Bauchi Project 2019 have dedicated their efforts to ensuring that he secures a second term of office to continue the progressive leadership he is providing to Bauchi State.
Mohammed sent this piece from Wunti, Bauchi.