Voters will reject imposition of candidates in 2015
It is barely 10 months to the 2015 general elections, and the race to take over from the Niger State governor, popularly known as Chief Servant, is already in top gear, especially in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In recent days, the news of who succeeds Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has dominated the airwaves. The governor was, however, quoted on Monday, April 7, 2014 in the media as saying that he would prefer a successor from his cabinet, explaining that there was need for continuity in governance in the state. He, however, said he had not given his support to anybody, including his deputy. It is said that the deputy governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto and the state Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Mohammed Muazu Bawa are interested in that seat.
As the Chief Servant prays for a successor from his cabinet, how he emerged as governor quickly comes to mind. He emerged as the flag-bearer of the PDP amidst intrigues. Was he a member of his predecessor’s cabinet before he won that ticket? This is an important question that demands a credible answer.
We recall how the late Senator Idris Kuta told former Governor Kure that Niger State was too big for an individual to singlehandedly impose a successor, especially an aspirant that did not have the support of party members and the masses. But Kure ignored his warning and went ahead to give all the necessary support to the late Alhassan Guna as in 2006. The rest is now history. As the Chief Servant toes the same line, we hope he would not suffer the same fate.
If the governor thinks his administration has accomplished a lot for the state, why is he nervous over who becomes his successor? Is he looking for a successor who will conceal his activities? Does he want to impose a puppet so that he continues to rule the state by proxy? Is he advising interested aspirants outside his cabinet but of the same party to seek their mandates in another party? Is he fair to the people of Niger by praying for his choice, not the choice of the masses? Is the Chief Servant not aware that the people of Niger are conscious of his body language? Is he not trying to impose an unpopular candidate on the people? It must be said that the electorate in Niger are interested in the antecedents of who becomes their next governor. The anointing power of the Chief Servant will not do any strange magic.
It should be understood that in a free and fair election, a candidate will not necessarily win, simply because he is the
No one needs to be reminded that Nigeria is gradually moving away from politics of imposition of aspirants to that of personality and
credibility
governor’s anointed candidate. The governor’s support is not enough yardstick for victory, especially if he did not perform well in office. Every electorate, including the governor, is entitled to only one vote. It is important to remind ourselves that the people will vote wisely in 2015; hence many anointed candidates will lose. In Bauchi State, former Governor Adamu Mu’azu’s anointed candidate lost to Isa Yuguda, the incumbent governor. Mu’azu, who is now the national chairman of the PDP, was also defeated at a senatorial contest.
The same fate also befell Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano as he tried to foist his anointed candidate on the people. He failed woefully as his anointed successor was defeated by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. The list goes on. Mahmud Shinkafi and Ali Modu Sherrif were sitting governors who lost different categories of election. Shinkafi was rejected for his second term bid as governor in 2011 while Ali Sherrif was rejected in his bid to return to the Senate. These feats were achieved in Bauchi, Borno, Zamfara and Kano simply because the masses and party faithful were not comfortable with the credibility and performance of the aspirants.
Expectedly, the people of Niger will aim to liberate themselves from politicians who see the state as their personal estate. My advice to the Chief Servant is that he should make himself a hero by allowing the masses to decide who will lead them in 2015.
No one needs to be reminded that Nigeria is gradually moving away from politics of imposition of aspirants to that of personality and credibility. The PDP will be making a great mistake by thinking that it has large followers in the state if it tries to impose candidates on the people in 2015. The intelligence of the people has been taken for granted for quite a long time; it is time to change. We need purposeful leadership, not political master dribblers.
We are tired of empty promises; hence we are ready to mobilise and vote for credible, able, meticulous, experienced and honest people into elective positions regardless of party affiliations.
Yahaya sent this piece from Muye, Niger State