Between Emir of Katsina and Governor Shema

Although some politicians in the state have capitalized on the emir’s endorsement to cast aspersions on the emir of Katsina, from all indications, the emir of Katsina, unlike some other traditional rulers, is not a frivolous person. Since his enthronement as the emir of Katsina, Kabir Usman has proved himself to be the conscience of […]

Although some politicians in the state have capitalized on the emir’s endorsement to cast aspersions on the emir of Katsina, from all indications, the emir of Katsina, unlike some other traditional rulers, is not a frivolous person. Since his enthronement as the emir of Katsina, Kabir Usman has proved himself to be the conscience of the society he is leading. One could recall an incident that happened before President Yar’adua became sick to buttress this point. When a cabal that was seeking political relevance in the state decided to instigate a crisis in the state, sponsoring thuggery against the state governor by claiming to be the core loyalists of President Yar’adua, it was on record that the emir of Katsina did not mince word by calling on Yar’adua not to sit on the fence in a matter that is threatening the peaceful co-existence of the state.

He was equivocal to the point of drawing the attention of President Yar’adua to the need not to allow his Abuja based political associates to introduce violence and killing which are alien to the politics of the state. At the time he spoke out, only very few traditional rulers could be courageous enough to talk to President Yar’adua in that manner. The emir has not only acted based on his mind and conviction, he made the public endorsement bearing in mind the yearnings and expectations of all his subjects across the villages under his domain.

The emir of Katsina, as a father to all in his domain, owe it a duty to speak the mind of his subjects. Even among the critics of Governor Ibrahim Shema led administration, nobody has been able to come out boldly and accuse his administration of any wrong doing in terms of good governance and delivery of the dividends of democracy. Is it not curious to note that those who have been attacking the governor, are doing so by proxy and the only song they have been singing against Governor Shema is that he is working against President Yar’adua? Their propaganda is ‘Shema is destroying Yar’adua’s structures and legacies in order to establish his own. But the questions are, how is Shema destroying Yar’adua’s  legacies in Katsina state? In what ways has Shema betrayed Yar’adua his political mentor?

However, in reality, and to the people of Katsina state, Shema has demonstrated loyalty to Yar’adua. He has demonstrated his abilities to protect Yar’adua’s legacies and ideals through sustenance of good governance and people oriented programmes. For instance, Shema ensured he completed all the on-going projects he inherited from his predecessor before embarking on new projects. What better ways to protect Yar’adua’s legacies as a governor than this? The projects such as Katsina-state airport, Katsina state university inherited by Shema administration have been completed.

Likewise, the construction of about 200 bed space children and maternity hospital project pioneered by Yar’adua as a governor, has also been completed by Shema’s administration, with the hospital well equipped with necessary facilities and equipment. Similarly, under the schools expansion programme, all the construction of classroom blocks project started by Yar’adua’s administration was also completed by Shema. All these steps taken by Shema’s administration has further demonstrated his commitment, not only to preserve the eight years legacies of Yar’adua as a governor, but he has proven to be a worths son of his political mentor.

Governor Shema went further to re-name the completed Katsina State University as Umaru Musa Yar’adua University amidst opposition instigated by the so called Yar’adua’s men. Not only that, the 200 bed space children and maternity hospital was also re-named Turai Yar’adua Hospital to appreciate the role of the president’s wife in addressing the plight of children and women in the state. Today, among the so-called Yar’adua political associates, Shema remains the only one who has not only exonerated from any accusation of public trust or corruption, he stands out amidst controversy surrounding the so-called Yar’adua’s men as a man of integrity and honour whose loyalty to his political leader is not self centred.

The educational sector under Shema’s administration has witnessed tremendous transformation in the last three years. Shema inherited a total number of 255 secondary schools from the previous administrations in the state that span the period of 20 years since the state ‘screation. He took a giant step of establishing new additional 109 secondary schools within three years to make the total number of 364 secondary schools in Katsina state. This record is there for anybody to verify and counter the claim if it is not true.

Also, within the last three years, Governor Shema has constructed not less than 2000 housing units across the state. He also rehabilitated over 27 earth dams accross the state to the delight of irrigation farmers. For instance, the Jibia irrigation dam that has been abandoned for the period of 29 years with the farmers in the area cultivating 100 hectares of land out of the 3500 hectares capacity of the dam, has now been resuscitated by the Shema led administration. With Governor Shema’s intervention, farmers at Jibia irrigation site are now cultivating 2500 hectares of farmland. How would these irrigation farmers across the state whose life have been transformed for better would not threaten to drag Shema to court if he fails to re-contest the governorship. Also, not less than 90 communities have been electrified and connected to the national grid under Shema’s leadership.

Without being economical with the truth, Shema is parading undaunting records of great achievements in all the sectors of the economy, but despite this, Shema remains humble to his people. Before the emir’s public declaration, the PDP chairmen from the 34 local governments have made similar appeal. The same for Katsina state students in various tertiary institutions, apart from various groups and communities planning to drag Shema to court if he fails to re-contest the governorship position of Katsina-state. This is the kind of leader the country needs. Shema regards public office as a vehicle for public service.

Mohammed is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina.