The irony of Bauchi politics
Regrettably, politics in modern day Nigerian is cushioned on the “Pull Him Down” (PhD) syndrome especially amongst political office holders.
To state the obvious, I was baffled and at the same time short of words recently with a newspaper headline: “Controversy Trails Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar”.
After reading the entire article very carefully, I suddenly realized that the angels of darkness have gone to the pitch of play after their woeful defeat in the election that saw the emergence of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar as the governor of Bauchi State.
I still remember very vividly how these politicians used their arsenal to ensure that the people of Bauchi State did not vote for “MA” as their governor. But to their utter dismay, he emerged victorious.
On Friday the 6th of May, 2017, the good people of Bauchi State have witnessed a drama being portrayed by some Abuja based politicians from Bauchi. On that day, the group demonstrated what I can describe as political immaturity.
The group led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara stormed the city of Bauchi in a manner as if they are coming for war.
Youths brandishing all sorts of weapons and chanting abuses, if not because of the composure of Bauchi people, only God knows what will happen.
The purpose of Dogara’s visit to Bauchi was to commission some of his constituency projects. But what instantly came to my mind was that even before him there were other philanthropists in the state who have impacted on the lives of so many people, therefore it is not a new thing. Many people saw it as a mere deception because the people of Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Dass have been enjoying the dividends of democracy long before now. So for him to say nothing has been done to these communities is unbelievable.
The crowd he rented were just there to listen and watch the comedy being showcased.
The idea behind the gimmick was to rubbish the effort of Bauchi State government under the able leadership of Muhammed Abudulahi Abubakar (GMA). But that would not be possible, because the people of Bauchi State believe in the mission and vision of the governor and his deputy Engr. Nuhu Gidado.
For those of us who knew the governor long before now can attest to the fact that he is simple, unassuming but very meticulous to the detail. Right from his days in the civil service, he had demonstrated a knack for task accomplishment. Therefore no amount of blackmail would pull him down or even distract him from his determination to turn around the state, economically.
I want to state that Governor Abubakar’s victory is a lifeline for the state; I’m saying this because for a state that was almost brought to bankruptcy by corruption and ineptitude, having Muhammad Abubakar as its governor is momentous. Every right thinking person in the state strongly believes that the governor’s opponents are either relevance seekers or political gladiators who don’t wish the state to achieve anything. It is on record, that previous governments made various efforts to undertake the rehabilitation of some roads but the plans fell short due the enormous resources required to actualize these capital intensive projects. Though it was obvious that M. A. Abubakar-led administration met an empty treasury with huge liabilities and a number of projects awaiting execution, within the last seven months the governor have impacted on so many lives among which was the rehabilitation of some roads within the Bauchi metropolis, like the segment of Murtala Muhammed way which runs from the CBN roundabout to Railway roundabout. The road will enjoy four standard lanes separated with central medium fitted street lights; concrete walkways as well as reinforced concrete drainages on both sides. The section from the Federal Low-costRailway Roundabout will be dualized to have same features with the CBN Federal Low-cost road segment.
Another one is Fadamanmada links road, the two lane road having asphalt surface with reinforced concrete drainages on both sides. It is also going to be fitted with street lights to illuminate the roads to improve security. The two contracts are already completed. Also, the reconstruction of MisauBulkachuwa-Udubo road, is still ongoing. Despite the present economic down turn, the governor is fully committed towards its completion.
In any democratic setting, people expect dividends of democracy. Therefore with the emergence of M.A. Abubakar, as Bauchi governor no doubt things will change for the better. The expectations are that within the next few years or so Bauchi would be the best state in the country. Sani Tahir wrote this piece from Bauchi.