Battle for the soul of Yobe
Since the creation of the state on 27th August, 1991 by the Babangida administration, the state have been governed by the Kanuris mainly from Yobe East senatorial district, though, late Senator Mamman B. Ali of blessed memory was able to break the jinks until he died two years into his four year term. Gov. Ibrahim […]
Since the creation of the state on 27th August, 1991 by the Babangida administration, the state have been governed by the Kanuris mainly from Yobe East senatorial district, though, late Senator Mamman B. Ali of blessed memory was able to break the jinks until he died two years into his four year term.
Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam has achieved a lot in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, he has linked almost all the 17 local government areas with the state capital something which Senator Bukar could not achieve in his ten years stay in office. These and other achievements may fetched Gaidam a goodwill from the people and may be used by him to advertise the anointed person and get the support of the electorate.
But recent happenings as regards the abduction of about 110 girls of Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) Dapchi by the Boko Haram insurgents where the governor made a statement that angered the villagers which led to the vandalisation of about 10 vehicles on the Governor’s entourage is giving the governor a serious concern and is likely going to affect his political career and chances of his candidate in the 2019elections in the state.
Today, under the above caption we shall be looking at the under listed people whose body language and political movements have shown that they be likely to vie for the number seat in Yobe state.
The governorship aspirants of the two major political parties in the state are squaring up for the battle for the soul of the state.
Those that are likely to declare their interests on the platform of the ruling APC are:
Saleh Abubakar, a former Chief of Staff to late Governor Mamman Ali and Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, and the present Head of Service, a season technocrat.
He is from Gashua town Yobe North senatorial district. Saleh is widely belief to get the Governor’s backing because of his close relation with Gaidam. He is seen and perceived to be highly principled which many political pundits in and around the state sees it as a shortcoming for him.
Dr. Senator Ahmed Lawan, a former Lecturer in the department of geography University of
Maiduguri, incumbent Senator representing Yobe North Senatorial district, Senate Leader. Lawan, like Saleh is also from Gashua town and has been in the National Assembly since the return of democratic rule in 1999. Two time member from 1999-2007 represented Bade Jakusko federal constituency, Senator representing Yobe north senatorial district from 2007 to date and may have pulled a lot of resources to vie for the seat.
He is believed to win the support and cooperation of Gaidam in the 2015 general elections. Gaidam was reported to have told the people of Gashua town where Lawan hailed from that if they would not vote for Lawan they should also forget about voting him (Gaidam) for the second term.
Lawan is also seen as a representative who have failed to used the opportunity of being at the NASS for this long to bring development to his people and as such he is not likely to win election if presented as the party’s gubernatorial candidate come 2019.
Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, a grassroots politician per excellence, former Karasuwa local government chairman from 1999-2002, former commissioner of Education, Housing, Water resources and Animal and Fishiries, former ANPP state party chairman and former DG campaign organization of Mamman Ali, Ibrahim Gaidam first and second term.
A well known politician and grassroots mobilizer, who many believe that, can under any circumstances pull reasonable votes from the Yobe north Senatorial district. He has been a close ally of all the executive Governors in the state.
The recent decamping of Hassan Kafayos, who is also a grassroots politician as well as mobilizer from PDP to the ruling APC is a clear indication that Gaidam is looking for a replacement and a capable hand from the zone who can give Sidi Karasuwa and his likes a good fight come 2019 general elections.
Ibrahim Bomai (aka Bala Basa). Bomai, though a new man into politics was the former Bursar at Federal College of Education (Technical), FCE Potiskum, former Director of Treasury at FCDA, many believed has lots of money that can go round. He is a grassroots philanthropist whose goodwill can to a certain extent fetch him people’s sympathy.
Some political analysts are of the view that his recent relationship with the governor may have some political undertones and coming to politics may have been influenced by Gaidam. To this group of political thinkers in the state are of the view and opinions that Governor
Gaidam is seriously seeking for someone that can give him a soft landing and this search can take him to all nook and crannies of the state even though people from Yobe East and north zones may not welcome the idea of somebody from Yobe south to the seat.
Khadiza Bukar Abba Ibrahim was the former Commissioner Women Affairs, former house of representative member representing Tarmua, Damaturu, Gujba and Gulani Federal constituency. Present minister of state ministry of Foreign affairs, Khadiza is the daughter to late Waziri Ibrahim, a onetime presidential candidate under the platform of the defunct Great People Party (GNPP).
Just like her husband, who is a serving Senator representing Yobe east senatorial district, she has not done anything meaningful to her constituency. And she being a female may post a serious challenge to realizing her dream of becoming a governor considering the tenacious attitudes of our people. So, it is a difficult dream to come true for her.
Mai Mala Buni is former councilor representing Buni Gari ward in Gujba local government area 1992, under NRC former adviser on political matters to governor Gaidam, former state secretary of APC and the present National Secretary of the ruling APC.
Buni, like Khadiza, is also from Yobe East Senatorial district. Some political analysts are of the opinion that he too, like Khadiza, his people have not benefited from his political position and that is going to be his greatest problem, because he has nothing on ground in terms of using his position to secure jobs to the teeming graduates or contract to show to convince the electorate. People from the state have not felt the positive impact of his position.
Adamu Maina Waziri. As far as Yobe governorship contest is concerned Waziri, would not require any introduction both within and outside Yobe. A former minister, a renowned and a staunch supporter of the PDP ideology. He has been contesting under the platform of PDP for the governorship seat of Yobe since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, no retreat and surrender, the battle must go on.
Waziri, unlike other politicians, has never change party. He has been contesting and losing the governorship ticket under his party the People Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr. Yerima Ngama is former minister of state for finance. A banker per excellence, a member of the main opposition party the PDP, Ngama, he was defeated at the PDP primaries in 2015 by Waziri but later picked the Yobe north senatorial ticket under his party and also defeated by the APC tsunami by Dr. Ahmed Lawan.
Ngama, like Maina Waziri has not changed camp even after losing the election but he is not an active party member as postulated by his party members in the state. He, too like Ahmed lawan is from Gashua town
Political analysts are of the opinion that Ngama would have been the best looking at his past records and exposure.
Senator Hassan Mohammed (aka Dambu), former commissioner of finance during late Mamman Ali tenure, and a serving Senator.
Unlike other senators from the state, Dambu’s constituency has benefited immensely from his representation; he is believed to have touched the lives of his people in so many ways.
As it is now only time can tell who becomes the next governor in Yobe state, while those in the ruling party are waiting for Gaidam to anoint his successor, the PDP members are busy strategizing to take over power from the ruling APC in the state, a battle that no one can know the winner.
Adamu Saleh [email protected]. 08033499812