Bindowo and God’s planbook

When I was told by a resident of Adamawa state what my governor, Senator Muhammadu Bindowo Jibrilla said about his plan for us, I thought it was the usual “enemy jibe,” from those who do not wish Adamawa state well. Here is how the story goes: His Excellency was accosted by the media and asked […]

When I was told by a resident of Adamawa state what my governor, Senator Muhammadu Bindowo Jibrilla said about his plan for us, I thought it was the usual “enemy jibe,” from those who do not wish Adamawa state well. Here is how the story goes:
His Excellency was accosted by the media and asked to enumerate, like his colleagues in other states, who announced their plans for their respective states, what his plan for Adamawa state was, having been given an overwhelming mandate by the people.
My governor countered with a bizarre philosophical interjection, saying that “God that made me governor had a plan for the state and it is that plan from God that I intend to execute”.
For the highly spiritual, that sounded like a wonderful convergence with God, from a man of God. He (God of course), as we know Him, can convert Mubi to London, Yola to Rome, Numan to Venice and Ganye to Georgia all in one night. With God, all things are possible. The Emir of Mubi could sleep this night and suddenly wake up tomorrow in a mansion like Buckingham Palace and the Yola Bridge could look like the Oresundsbron. Capital School Yola would be Eaton and the Makwada stadium would turn to Wembley, all overnight. That is how God works. His process is the ultimate due process.
But when earlier in the week, Comrade Ahmad Sajoh, the state’s Information Commissioner announced that commissioners are convening a meeting of the state’s executive arm to articulate a roadmap for Adamawa state, and that this document would then be open to the public, in order for stakeholders to make their own contributions, which would then be implemented towards the betterment of Adamawa state, I realized that Bindowo’s commissioners are definitely not buying the governor’s idea of waiting for God’s planbook. The Governor can wait, for all they care, for God or for Godot. But his cabinet wouldn’t.
And here is why; while Gov Jibrilla waits for Angel Jibrilu (genealogical forebears perhaps) to deliver God’s plan to him, our state’s compatriots, women, and children are dying. Briskly. They are being slaughtered. Rabidly. Pitiably, not many get to see the allotted “three score and 10” as is set out in the Bible, and even fewer get to see a “ripe old age” to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Not many are dying from natural causes or illnesses. Of course, we do have people dying from them, but many of the dying suffer the indignity of being killed. Mercilessly too. Thoughtlessly. Wantonly. Recklessly and senselessly.
They are being slain like dogs; in their droves. They are ambushed and captured in an inglorious manner and are being bombed, shot Rambo-style, and executed by insurgents. Our people are being killed in reprisals, in moments of madness, in acts of temporary insanity, and in cold-blood. There is very little respect for life, anybody’s life. Until this changes, our murder rates will keep spiraling out of control and, if we are not careful, very soon our dams, rivers, streams and ponds will be blood-red with the innocent blood of our people who are being butchered by the barbarians in Sambisa.
Senator Bindowo ostensibly, has no clue whatsoever how to organize or operationalize an effective governance strategy. That is why he is awaiting God’s plan. Many Adamawa citizens fear that their governor has already shown an inclination towards failure because he has no blueprint. His cluelessness has already caused and will continue to cause great embarrassment to the All Progressives Congress, as has been attested by several of the party’s henchmen from Adamawa. This perhaps is why the governor thinks that Adamawa elite are plotting the downfall of his administration. But by his actions in office, Bindowo has helped to widen the governance deficit to such an extent that, if we are not careful, the state could succumb to the heat, confusion and incredulity that killed the Nyako administration. And, we in Adamawa, all know that his indecision and inconsistencies have created a gulf in the APC just as his relationship with former Vice President Atiku and disregard for those who worked to get him into office is creating a deadly crack on the party in the state. Bindowo has become an ill-wind that blows nobody any good.
An analysis? We do not need any analysis on this, unless we intend to suffer permanent paralysis. We all know that Adamawa’s inability to attract investments is due to a multitude of deficiencies such as, a disenchanted labor force, a broken civil service, a lack of the competitive edge, burgeoning crime and violence, a dilapidated bureaucracy, an epileptic administrative framework, a slumping economy and corruption. Someone who visited the governor in his office recently told me that the governor’s office has now effectively become a public lounge, what in Hausa language can be referred to as “Dandali”. What would certainly help is to reach a consensus on how to remove or lessen these myriad of hindrances. And that is the assignment that Bindowo’s cabinet has decided to undertake. While commending its gusto, I wish it luck.
At the moment, what Adamawa needs is not God’s plan but God’s help. So, help us God. Take housing for example; since most people from Adamawa north have become homeless and are described as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) they should be returned home to be resettled as the military makes incursions and push Boko Haram to retreat or surrender. Military force alone cannot demoralize Boko Haram. It must be complimented by the return of people to their villages to kill Boko Haram spirit. But Bindowo has no plan for the IDPs to whom a return to a stable household would build their self-esteem, erode poverty, accord them respect, and rejuvenate their prosperity. Our governor seems to underestimate its impact on psyche and society, but if IDPs have decent housing it eases their despondency, and gives them a firm belief in the state’s-bedrock. Government can create jobs so that the virtuous cycle of growth and prosperity will banish the vicious circle of fear and indignation. The notion of keeping IDPs outside their comfort zones longer than necessary so as to continue to hide behind the façade of absence of peace to perpetuate mediocrity is down-syndrome politics and a cruel joke on the people.