2015: Rallying behind progressives

We, Nigerians, crave leadership that will  salvage what remains of our hope, cool our rage and stir our courage; leadership that will channel energies  positively towards the shade of an umbrella of peace, unity, physical development and economic empowerment. Over the course of the thirteen and a half years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, […]

We, Nigerians, crave leadership that will  salvage what remains of our hope, cool our rage and stir our courage; leadership that will channel energies  positively towards the shade of an umbrella of peace, unity, physical development and economic empowerment.
Over the course of the thirteen and a half years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, the grouse of some opposing elements has been the party’s alleged failure to achieve commensurate development in line with the unprecedented revenues accrued within the period.
They point to the party’s strong hold on most federating states and the national legislature, unfairly and bitterly dismissing  the PDP as having achieved nothing. In the argument over the achievements or otherwise of the party, despite varying shortcomings there are areas of progress, particulary in the states currently being run by a PDP-led chief executive.
An obvious case is  Jigawa state, led by Sule Lamido. He is reputed to be a scion of arguably the most potent,  progressive evolution in Nigeria’s political history.  The story of Jigawa under Sule Lamido and his team of “Jigawa First, Revolutionaries” allays the fears of many as regards the commitment of political leadership to finding lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges affecting our societies.
The five and a half years old ‘people first’ leadership is in the Nigerian context similar to a fairy tale. It is hardly graspable, considering the challenges facing governance  across the country today. A visit to Jigawa State, and a tour of the sitting government’s achievements, opens one’s mind to the capacity of government to make lasting impact on its people and their future.
The Sule Lamido government has achieved unprecedented progress in physical and human capital development. The political team, wary of the Governor’s rage for dereliction of duty has remained hands on, striving aggressively to attain milestones in the completion of value-adding infrastructure projects and compliance with set standards. The State’s Public Service, led by Mustapha Aminu (Wamban Dutse), has grown into a country wide model due to its professionalism and avowed commitment as exemplified by the state’s top echelon.
The state government has completed hospitals, schools and emergency response systems across remote settlements. Some would imagine that this writer has condescended to lowly praise singing, but all it would take is one  objective evidence-based assessment tour to verify if this is merely ‘empty talk’.
There has been resounding success in the completion of critical infrastructure projects spread over towns, villages and remote settlements across the state. Formidable structures have been commissioned –  feeder roads, express ways, links-to-markets, bridges, as well as irrigation facilities.
In a rare demonstration of foresight, Jigawa governor’s people-oriented team has established long overdue capacity building institutions. There are today in Jigawa state, human capital development centres spread across the state.
With all the talk about the opposition evolving into a formidable coalition in view of the 2015 general elections, one is forced to question the failure of such synergy over the course of the thirteen and a half years of PDP leadership. Even though many accuse the PDP of attaining below average score cards in leadership, the same commentators forget that the opposition has also failed over the same period to develop into a credible alternative. There has hardly been real movement in this regard beyond isolated political niches within the country.
The country-wide acceptability of the PDP is yet to be matched, let alone eclipsed by any of the opposing elements. Similarly even the preparations for such a daunting task hardly appear likely to take-off anytime soon. Come 2015, faced with the reality of electing a new government , the people are hardly likely to consider demolishing an umbrella that has at the very least become a testament to Nigeria’s precious, hard-earned democracy.
Some have accused Sule Lamido of arrogance. But this is essentially due to his unrepentant refusal to fail the people. His uncompromising stance of  upholding his belief in providing solid governance has led to accusations that he is combative and unmindful of his speech. He is accused of  intolerance to opposition but this is really just criticism of his unalloyed party loyalty and compliance with its progressive manifestoes and entrenchment of same at all levels.
They accuse his immediate family members of meddling in governance despite evidence of the highly professional execution of government projects. In contrast to many other states, in Jigawa there have been no tales of stalled projects or substandard infrastructure due to the alleged interference or nepotism.
In the push towards a progressive salvation in 2015 and beyond, Sule Lamido remains the star to watch.  He has personal popularity making him and other progressives like him the leaders around which Nigerians should rally in the years to come.
Kaugama wrote from  Kaugama, Jigawa State. <[email protected]>