Gov Lamido, opposition and the media

To some, he is an intellectual and active individual who has distinguished himself in the political arena for so many decades; others think he is an outstanding, dedicated, committed and diligent leader, while others think of him as haughty, arrogant and controversial. The local, national and international media have been in undated with hearty sessions […]

To some, he is an intellectual and active individual who has distinguished himself in the political arena for so many decades; others think he is an outstanding, dedicated, committed and diligent leader, while others think of him as haughty, arrogant and controversial.
The local, national and international media have been in undated with hearty sessions of comments and indeed intel-lectual psychiatry of the recent Nigerian political brouhaha. In malevolence of the much dramatic eccentricity of the present political struggle in Nigeria and precisely the stand and opinion of Lamido, which has gone to the extent of the major opposition party, the APC of accusing and attacking him for his stands and refusal to decamp with other rebel governors is unnecessary and baseless. Lamido always speaks his mind, which in all cases aligns with the interests of the people he leads. He is not stampeded by persons or sentiments. He does not ebb and flow with the current as so many politicians do; rather he stands rooted to principle and to progressive politics and he brings rich personal experience to bear in all he does.
He has one undeniable fact of respecting the rights of indivi-duals which the political dispensation has sustained under the freedom of expression rule.  Lamido believes that, strong opposition is good for our democracy. The opposition should be very grateful to Sule Lamido and his administration especially in Jigawa.  PDP administration has promoted the right to vote and be voted for and strengthened the holiness and integrity of democracy by ensuring that votes count.
In one of his response to accusation levelled against him, Lamido pointed out that despite all negative comments and hullabaloos against him and his government, nobody can complain of intimidation, victimization, humiliation and deprivation among the people living in Jigawa irrespective of tribal, religious or political affiliations. In short, there had not been any political prisoner in the state, also the administration of Lamido had been able to stabilise the state’s assembly by not interfering with is work. This, he explained, was his own way of decentralizing power by strengthening institutions.
 Speaking on the forthcoming elections, the governor urged political parties to shun sentiment as they prepare to vote. He said an aspirant does not need to be popular among his party’s leaders before he or she is allowed to be nominated, adding that what is important is the aspirant’s popularity among party members and his or her capacity to deliver.  He also said the Peoples Democratic Party had over the years achieved its objectives by delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians and called on Nigerians to support its transformation agenda and vote for its candidates in the 2015 elections. “It is either the PDP or PDP; there is no alternative to our party. It is the only party that is owned by Nigerians,” he said.
Sule Lamido appealed to the journalists to focus their searchlight on important national issues, instead of wasting ample time and space on issues of ethnicity and tribalism.  
For Lamido, what gives people hope and meaning is the pursuit of meaningful and noble purpose. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about issues that bother us. One of the easiest ways to change your society is to help others achieve their dreams. Lamido also use the opportunity of being a renowned politician, committed leader and the Talakawa liberator to change the society for good.
You know, if you are doing the right thing people may try to distract your attention and you just have to continue with your job. To make mark in this life, you have to live a life of purpose, you have to believe, love and focused on what you are doing and go against all odds no matter the situation or what is happening around you. As Steven Convey once said, “The challenges is not to manage time but to manage our selves
Lamido always hope and pray for a peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections and urged Nigerians to love one another and avoid politics of religion. Some might say that these issues that he raised are self evident but they bear reiteration and emphasis from a man who saw it all due to present happenings in the country. Lamido’s message about unity of purpose should also attract more than a passing interest from Nigerian citizens. This great stalwart of the old PRP and one of the PDP founding fathers knows what democracy and citizenship with a unity of purpose look like.

Usman is a personal aide to the Jigawa state governor