Avoiding Nasarawa’s potential politics of entitlement

It is two years to the governorship election in Nasarawa State, yet the political atmosphere in the state is already charged. Last weekend, such a statement came to the fore when the first civilian governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu, said it is the turn of the state’s Western zone to produce the next governor. […]

It is two years to the governorship election in Nasarawa State, yet the political atmosphere in the state is already charged.

Last weekend, such a statement came to the fore when the first civilian governor of the state, Abdullahi Adamu, said it is the turn of the state’s Western zone to produce the next governor.

Adamu spoke as Governor Abdullahi Sule announced that he would, at the appropriate time, unveil to the people of the state his preferred candidate to succeed him in 2027.

Sule, who promised to act without sentiments of any kind, warned governorship aspirants not to overheat the polity but to play the game according to the rules.

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But before he could say “Jack,” Adamu, an elder statesman who should know the importance of guarding his utterances in preparation for the political season, spoke without regard for a zone that has not been fairly treated since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999.

He said: “Keffi zone governed for eight years, Lafia for twelve. Akwanga is currently serving its second and final term. Therefore, the western (Keffi) zone should produce the next governor in 2027.”

The former governor’s statement has created tension in the state, leading observers to wonder if zoning had not become an unwritten method of scheming out aspirants from Nasarawa South.

Although zoning was originally conceived to promote equity and national inclusion in Nigeria, it is now, in some instances, being used as a tool for exclusion and political entitlement.

For instance, since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999, Nasarawa West (Keffi) zone had governed the state for eight years, Nasarawa South (Lafia) zone had 12 years and Nasarawa North (Akwanga) zone, where Sule, who would be completing eight years in 2027, has all ruled, leaving out Nasarawa South.

The south of Nasarawa comprises five local government areas, including Awe, Doma, Keana, Lafia and Obi, which have Eggon, Tiv, Hausa, Fulani, Koro, Gwandara, Kanuri, Alago, Buh, Mada, Gbagyi and Ebira.

Is anyone saying no one among these ethnic groups is fit enough to vie for the governorship position? 

As Peter Tosh once said in “Equal Rights”, analysts are now calling for “equal rights and justice” for Nasarawa South.

According to them, the song of “zoning to Keffi is strategic, not sincere, a desperate move to sideline people like Nigeria’s most respected law enforcement professionals, former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.”

It is to this end that the State Coordinator of the Youth Wing Movement for MAAL, Hassan Ogiri Doma, described Adamu’s remark as “a calculated shortcut for individuals who lack the structure or political will to earn the trust of the entire state. There is no constitutional provision or binding political agreement that mandates zoning in Nasarawa State.”

“The people of Nasarawa have consistently demonstrated maturity in choosing leaders based on consensus and performance, not coercion,” Doma said.

In fact, a public affairs analyst, Mr Ladan Idi, who gave a deeper perspective on the issue, lamented the current situation in Nasarawa, saying its current leaders do not have the love of the people of Nasarawa South.

His words, which are as deep as the cut of a knife, go: “Before I was in support of the power to be shifted to Keffi Zone, but I withdrew due to marginalisation of the Nasarawa South by this current administration.

“For example, in terms of federal and state appointments, Keffi Zone has the following appointments: Director General of Humanitarian, Chairman Federal Mortgage Bank, Chairman Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission, a minister, Chairman of Public Complaints Commission.

“If the government of Nasarawa state needs the support of the people of Nasarawa South to support the government’s choice of candidate from Keffi zone, the government should make sure to balance the appointments, or else we will equally support one of our brothers from Nasarawa South.”

Meanwhile, there may be light for agitators before 2027, as Abdullahi Sule, who has pledged to ensure a fair process, said: “True power comes from God, but A.A. Sule also has the right to support someone. When the time comes, I’ll publicly endorse who I believe should succeed me,” the governor said at the same meeting where Senator Adamu made his zoning remarks.

Already, three individuals have been positioned for the governorship ticket if it is finally zoned to Nasarawa West. They include former Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NAPHDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib; the Accountant General of the state, Dr. Musa Ahmed Muhammed (Baraden Nasarawa); and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Labaran Magaji. However, the duo is yet to indicate interest.

For them, the belief is heightened by the fact that an individual like former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who is known for being incorruptible, fits the profile of what is needed to take Nasarawa to the next level.

 

Abdulaziz, a banker, sent this piece from Lagosis it simply the arrogance of unchecked ministerial power?