Dealing with Yobe’s political logjam

The embodiment of simplicity in the governor was further demonstrated in his commendation of Senator Albishir, his supporters and other key officers for choosing the civilized path of legal procedure to pursue their rights and subsequently, the constitution of the 32 man reconciliation committee to bring back aggrieved ANPP members to the main fold of […]

The embodiment of simplicity in the governor was further demonstrated in his commendation of Senator Albishir, his supporters and other key officers for choosing the civilized path of legal procedure to pursue their rights and subsequently, the constitution of the 32 man reconciliation committee to bring back aggrieved ANPP members to the main fold of the party.

The event of Tuesday, March 31 2010, in Nguru, where Senator Usman Albishir declared and registered his membership with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a classical turn down to the offer made by Governor Gaidam for reconciliation; hence a political battle line was drawn between himself (Albishir), the ANPP and the governor.

However, the forces and key figures who stood by Senator Albishir and strengthened his three year legal and political struggle were conspicuously absent at the event. They did not see reason with Albishir’s political calculation of defecting to the PDP after building and nurturing the ANPP into such a strong party in Yobe State for over 10 years. As such, they parted ways. It was democracy in action.

Notable figures who were once with Albishir noticed the sincerity of purpose of the governor in developing the state and his invitation to a true and brotherly reconciliation irrespective of the protracted differences before the Supreme Court verdict. The forces that once supported Albishir argued that their struggle was centred on his substitution as governorship candidate three years ago but, not abandoning the party they toiled for over a decade. More so, the ANPP government under Ibrahim Gaidam has achieved so much and done all patriotic party members proud.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, a founding member of the ANPP who served as its state secretary and thereafter, elected to the House of Representatives as well as the Senate on the platform of the party, is one among the close supporters of Senator Albishir who refused to move to the PDP.

Though it may be painful to differ with Albishir, at least on political grounds, Senator Lawan said it is equally suicidal to abandon the ANPP, a project he has spent over a decade of his political life nurturing and grooming to its present strength.

Senator Lawan noted that moving to the PDP is akin to betraying the trust the people who voted them entrusted in them and therefore underscores the need to be patient, believing that it is God who gives power to whom He pleases.

A cursory look at the political events in Yobe State showed that though the electorate, in Damaturu and all the seventeen local government areas of the state were enveloped in pain following the exit of Albishir, many of them declined to follow him to his new found umbrella.

Preparatory to the cross-carpeting of the Nguru Senator to the PDP, there were several media reports to the effect that Albishir will be moving with two other serving Senators, more than five members of the House of Representatives and a sizeable number of members of the Yobe State House of Assembly.

However, it is now history because most of the anticipated decampees have proved the media furore wrong even as those expected to move to the PDP with him have promised to work closely with Governor Gaidam to actualise the Yobe dream.    

“There is no denying the fact that the Gaidam-led administration has impacted positively and widely on the lives of the people. He has done the ANPP and all Yobe people proud and therefore need our support to consolidate the gains of democracy”, Senator Lawan said.

The academician turned politician maintained that the impressive performance recorded in rural and township roads transformation, massive construction of houses, healthcare delivery, education, agricultural development and electrification projects are achievements that will surely make democrats at all levels proud.  Supporters of the ANPP believe that the aspiration of any committed democrat is to work and identify with programmes and projects that will improve the lives of the people.  They argued that Gaidam’s administration is exactly doing that and hence the need to support and encourage such laudable programmes that will transform the lives of the people.

Accordingly, the basis of engaging in politics is to contribute to the development of the society and empowerment of the people. Disagreements must never be blind, where government has excelled even if it is an opposition government, it must be appreciated, encouraged and supported to do more in the interest of the people. This is the view of the ANPP members including those of other political parties who refused to move to the PDP.

It is believed that the olive branch extended to aggrieved members of the ANPP will lead to fruition despite the exit of Senator Albishir. The 32-member Reconciliation Committee set up by Governor Gaidam under the chairmanship of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe State and an opinion leader, would surely do the expected magic.

Already, influential politicians in the state including Alhaji Baba Machinama, Alhaji Goni Bukar, all serving members in the federal House of Representatives have joined the committee as members and are now going round the state to attract more.

With the way things are going, the ANPP and indeed the Governor Ibrahim Gaidam led administration is in the sure path of making history repeat itself in Yobe as 2011 elections draw nearer.

Usman lives on No 24, Potiskum Road, Damaturu, [email protected]