2011 elections and Taraba senatorial seats

Hon. T. Khanin who served as member House of Reps representing Ardo-kola, Lau and Karim-Lamido Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2007 has also declared interest in the senatorial race. Alhaji Ibrahim Tumba, a 2007 PDP gubernatorial aspirant, is also contesting. Dr Mohammed Shata who was a minister of internal affairs under the administration of Olusegun […]

Hon. T. Khanin who served as member House of Reps representing Ardo-kola, Lau and Karim-Lamido Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2007 has also declared interest in the senatorial race. Alhaji Ibrahim Tumba, a 2007 PDP gubernatorial aspirant, is also contesting. Dr Mohammed Shata who was a minister of internal affairs under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo and a 2007 senatorial candidate of Action Congress (AC) is also planning to re-contest using the PDP’s platform. And Mrs. Esther Jonnah Mamman who retired as a lecturer from College of Agriculture Jalingo also thinks that “what a man can do, a woman can do even better.”

Those people whom at a time felt victimised by Nyame’s intrigues, betrayal and deception by now must be busy forming negative theories and sharpening their criticisms against him; and certainly, they would  invent new vocabularies and throw up fresh allegations to confront Nyame in the run up to the 2011 senatorial elections. Nyame, though, is used to opposition because he had the privilege of ruling Taraba State as a governor for eight years. No doubt his declaration has caused some kind of hysterical panic in power circles and groups formation across the political divide in Taraba.

In the same vein, one cannot dispute the fact that Nyame was instrumental to the success of the ruling party (PDP) in Taraba State. It also indisputable that Nyame made it possible for PDP to have a grip on the machinery of power and total control of Taraba State since the advent of democracy in 1999. It was based on this absolute control that the endorsement of Gov. Danbaba Suntai became a reality in 2007. On the other hand, Nyame has been part of the forces that rammed through the electoral process that produced both the members of the Taraba State House of Assembly and the members of the House of Reps and Senate representing Taraba State in the National Assembly, suspicious though their election win is.

But taking into account the challenge of Nyame’s senatorial dream, the man is embattled on many fronts. However, the declaration of intent by Nyame will draw from the good will and legacy of his eight years leadership of the state in spite of the little progress and developments attributed to the construction of Jalingo Specialist Hospital, Jalingo Stadium, Jalingo Airport, Jalingo modern market, the construction of the township roads and by-pass roads.

This not withstanding, Nyame will face series of accusations ranging from those bordering on religion, sectionalism, and ethnicity that has rocked the unity of the state.

To be fair, Taraba Northern senatorial district has suffered badly the politics of the incumbent who since the election that granted him victory has left much to be desired. Today, the constituents cannot tell a story about his senatorial representation neither his constituency projects. The question begging for answer is the reason behind Nyame’s senatorial ambition. Does it mean the incumbent whom he helped bring into office has failed? Or what is the calculation? To a critical observer, the 2011 senatorial election in the state is looking like two snakes eating each other’s tails.

In perspective, Nyame despite being perceived by many as a political kingmaker, has a long way to go in realizing his latest ambition.

 Hassan wrote from 15, Liman Isa Road, Jalingo