Borno: Issues in the choice of Zulum

The process leading to the eventual emergence of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State is arguably, the most tasking, taxing and strenuous, if not in the history of party primary elections in the country, but in the current dispensation. Quite understandably, it sent jitters down […]

The process leading to the eventual emergence of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State is arguably, the most tasking, taxing and strenuous, if not in the history of party primary elections in the country, but in the current dispensation. Quite understandably, it sent jitters down the spines of many people, with some prophesying a return to the dark days of debauchery and bloodletting. To them, the thoughtful and politically sagacious decision of Governor Kashim Shettima to give every qualified and interested party member the freedom and franchise to pursue his or her dreams was an anathema capable of ruffling Borno’s political waters and thus endangering the relative hard earned peace in the state. They found it hard to come to terms with the reality of the indispensability of democratic rights of the people as well as the need to ensure a level playing field to all aspirants. To the chagrin of the naysayers, the primary elections have come and gone and Borno and APC have produced a gubernatorial candidate in an atmosphere of absolute peace, camaraderie, unity and a common desire to bury all hatchets and work in unison for the progress and development of Borno state. Of course, there are pockets of disenchantment in some quarters and this, as is the case even in states where direct primaries were administered, are in tandem with the inescapable reality and possibility of divergent viewpoints in matters of choices. But put on scale across the country, the process in Borno, given the circumstances of its fragility, has been quite successful. If you look at the fact that few of the aspirants have expressed displeasure over the process, you should also look at the fact that about 14 others have also unilaterally withdrawn their aspirations for Professor Zulum.

I think we should look at the positives of the process in relation to the dire need to, not just preserve the hard earned peace, but to build on the levers of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the millions of displaced persons. It should be understood that unlike other states that have reveled in peaceful environment and can therefore afford certain luxuries and indulgences, Borno, a state just rising from the ashes of a senseless and ruthless terror campaign must be circumspect about its options and choices. No state that has gone through the mindless bloodletting and destruction which Borno had seen, can afford to prevaricate or quibble over political issues that could easily transmute into unpalatable security consequences. First, standing in between an aspirant and his constitutionally guaranteed political rights and desires could stoke resentment and fury in an individual, not to talk of the over twenty other aspirants whose aspirations are clearly legitimate as was the case in the APC in Borno. The delicate and unpredictable nature of the politics and security of Borno must be taken into account by any leader who found himself as Governor at this critical juncture of superintending a process to nominate a successor. In his explanation on the eve of the primary election, Governor Shettima admitted that the burden of choosing between his personal interest, his friendships and political associations, all on one side and his conscience and the future of Borno state on the other, has, more than anything else tested him. He noted that despite the temptation to hoist a candidate based only on affinity he, in the end set aside personal interest and considered the greater interest of the state.

No Nigerian is oblivious of the trials Borno had gone through. In the comfort of our homes and streets far away from Borno, we were assailed with the gory pictures of children, parents, brothers and sisters forced to witness the public and brutal execution of their loved ones, nearly two million persons were displaced, majority ran for their lives and trekked for miles before arriving at different safe destinations. Thousands of children have been turned into orphans after the gruesome murder of their parents while thousands of women have become widows of the conflict. Wealthy merchants in hundreds of communities have been transformed into hapless tenants and prosperous and economically viable communities were turned into graves and war zones. In his letter to the people of the state, he admitted also that if he had followed the intuition of affinity, friendship and personal interest, he would have been swayed by the fact that among the 21 aspirants, many were his relatives, loyal political associates and personal friends who were equally qualified and have all it takes to govern the state. And in reality, close watchers of Borno politics are in no doubt about the personal closeness, political association and blood kinship of Kashim Shettima to some of the aspirants such as Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, Adamu Zaufanjimba, Baba Kaka Garbai, Mai Sheriff, Mustapha Fannarambe, Abubakar Kyari, Adamu Dibal and Baba Ahmed Jidda among many others. Looking at it from their years of association, Professor Zulum does not, as a matter of fact come near any of the aforementioned. From the selflessness of the Governor in looking at the overall interest of the state and job hunting for a man with the towering credentials, uncompromising stance, energy and drive as well as the overall mental and physical competence of Professor Zulum, it will be right to hazard a guess that, given the peculiar nature of the need for an all-rounder to consolidate on the achievements recorded in the critical areas of development and to open new vistas and frontiers, the recommendation and eventual election of the 48 year old Professor, is a game changer. If he wins, he will be northern Nigeria’s first Professor Governor. I must add that if the intent was to impose a lackey in order to manipulate him, one of the Kashim’s aforementioned boys, and not the professor will have fitted the bill.

Ahmed-BK wrote this piece from Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State