Bafarawa: A political bridge @ 62
To many of us who are his disciples, we not only regard him as a life coach but a master of the game, be it in business or politics. Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa (Garkuwan Sokoto) born on the 4th of October, 1954 in Bafarawa town, Isa local government of Sokoto State has demonstrated and still […]
To many of us who are his disciples, we not only regard him as a life coach but a master of the game, be it in business or politics. Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa (Garkuwan Sokoto) born on the 4th of October, 1954 in Bafarawa town, Isa local government of Sokoto State has demonstrated and still demonstrating purposeful and visionary leadership traits over the years.
Evidently, goodwill messages and testimonies have been pouring in commemoration of this year’s birthday. First as a sign of recognition of his positive impacts on the larger society and two, as payback time by those who have been directly touched by his milk of human kindness, a category where I belong to.
A self-made man and an advocate of one Nigeria, Bafarawa represents a rare breed of 21st political idealist who thinks public interests ahead of other considerations, including self. At any given opportunity, this political icon emphasizes on the homily of national unity, fairness and equitable distribution of national wealth to whoever finds himself a position of authority. Little wonder these nationalistic spirits prompted Bafarawa to take a shot at the nation’s presidency in 2007. This, he attempted on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party, (DPP) a party he founded on the tripod of economic welfarism, social populism and democratic liberalism to correct certain errors in our political space as a country. Before setting a political record as the first to serve two consecutive terms as executive governor of the caliphate state, (1999-2007) Bafarawa had initially cut his political teeth at the lowest rung of the society when he was elected as a Councilor. At a tender age during the Second Republic, he was seen vying for the seat of his federal constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of Great Nigerian Peoples Party, GNPP in 1979. Unfortunately, the odds that prevented his 2007 presidential bid also stopped his emergence.
Between 1994 and 1995, he was elected by his people to represent them at the National Constitutional Conference put together by the military junta headed by the no nonsense late Gen Sani Abacha. To him, the confab was like a much awaited opportunity to reassure his people at home that he was ready to serve them at a higher capacity. From that point, the voting populace in Sokoto was astonished by the quality representation demonstrated by Bafarawa while the gathering lasted.
It must not be forgotten also how Bafarawa actively participated in the processes that led to the formation and registration of the defunct United Nigerian Congress Party, (UNCP) in 1997 as well as the All Peoples Party, (APP) IN 1998. Due to credible and objective opposition mounted by the likes of Bafarawa; APP was able to bestride Nigeria’s political environment as a checkmate platform to the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP). In conjunction with others, Bafarawa from the opposition flank kept sustaining the soul of the nation’s nascent democracy of the time.
Available records indicate that Sokoto State was landmarked for speedy infrastructural developments and in other key sectors. Many of his giant strides still remain unprecedented in Sokoto, even ten years after leaving office. For instance, the state witnessed a massive rural electrification project and rural road construction to the delight of the masses, linking the Sokoto hinterlands to its mainland. At the last count, over 1,000 kilometers of roads were constructed in his first tenure, while close to 35 villages and settlements witnessed electrification within the same period. Another key area was the education sector where his government made education affordable for children of Sokoto middleclass and downtrodden, regardless of their religion or tribe. The cumulative outcome of these efforts in this sector was recorded when over 10,000 out-of-school children returned to school between 1999 and 2003.
Dr. Daniel D. Kokong, Rayfield Jos, Plateau State.