Ibrahim Bagudu: Architect of stability in Kebbi politics
Kebbi state is, arguably Nigeria’s most peaceful state. While many states have battled with serious political crises arising from the processes of party primaries, electioneering campaigns across all the contending political parties and election aftermaths, Kebbi had remained a shining example of the importance of cohesion built on the template of internal justice, fair play, […]
Kebbi state is, arguably Nigeria’s most peaceful state. While many states have battled with serious political crises arising from the processes of party primaries, electioneering campaigns across all the contending political parties and election aftermaths, Kebbi had remained a shining example of the importance of cohesion built on the template of internal justice, fair play, consultation and confidence building.
It was not as if Kebbi had not wrestled with the vagaries to accentuate upheavals during the party primaries leading to the elections. Just like it was in Zamfara, Sokoto and elsewhere, the APC family in Kebbi had struggled with the temptation by some members to fight it dirty, on account of a feeling of estrangement and the susceptibility of some rogue elements to rebel, as is naturally the case in every political engagement. What, then, was the line of departure between Kebbi that ended its own process so peacefully and the other states where crises arising from the same process led to such implacable and vengeful parting of ways? Kebbi, by nature is laidback, conservative and amenable to allowing peace to be negotiated on the basis of give and take. So, when a young Ibrahim Bagudu emerged on the political scene brandishing charming smiles, record of philanthropy backdating his entry into politics, superior negotiating skills and an indubitable capacity to calm frayed nerves, every likely flash points and situations were nipped into the bud.
In many states, the tendency for some aspiring politicians to become too obsessed with their ambitions to the point of becoming unduly and wildly irrepressible tended to exacerbate a rebellious person’s desire to assuming a frightening capacity to entrench himself or herself as a cog in the way of the progress of the party itself. In the case of the APC Kebbi state, the more of carrot, much more than the stick approach of Ibrahim Bagudu to put everybody in line of party supremacy and the larger interest of Kebbi state became the magic that resolved all contending issues as they arose,
Incidentally, Ibrahim Bagudu sees himself as an ordinary party faithful who has carved a niche for himself as a successful international businessman with interests in property development, oil and gas as well as in importation long before he sojourned into politics. Although he is a kid brother of Governor Atiku Bagudu, he is seen across the state as a man who has developed a distinct personality and had dished out critical assistance to all manner of causes and to the needy people on health, education and community basis thereby winning the hearts and minds of the people of the state. The respect his philanthropic nature and undertakings had garnered for him over a decade ago must have accounted for the natural influence he naturally wields and exudes across all people – young and old.
Seen generally as the undisputable leader of the APC in Kebbi state, Ibrahim Bagudu was tasked with providing leadership for the purpose of resolving all issues within the party and shepherding it to victory in the 2019 general elections across all offices without leaving any trace for any stalemate or feeling of injustice that may snowball into litigation and bad blood. With its politics of four very power emirate system, Kebbi politics would have been a veritable avenue to plant dissension and rebellion which will resonate across the state. Working with other likeminded party officials and elders across the 225 wards, the 21 local government areas as well as the leadership at the state level, the party leader reached out to all interest groups, dealt with all complaints justly and fairly, assigned roles to every stakeholder, mobilized ad-hoc committees with assigned tasks and came up with a robust campaign strategy of winning fair and square. All these were done without antagonizing the opposition.
Mohammed Ibrahim, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State