Is Lamido detached from the mood of the people?
Curiously, however, Governor Lamido had told different newspapers that their decision to support Jonathan was based on patriotism, despite the fact that the way the South voted was purely a reflection of sentiments rather than reason. Such hypocritical and vacuous argument by Lamido has further exposed him to more resentment from his people whose sensibilities […]
Curiously, however, Governor Lamido had told different newspapers that their decision to support Jonathan was based on patriotism, despite the fact that the way the South voted was purely a reflection of sentiments rather than reason. Such hypocritical and vacuous argument by Lamido has further exposed him to more resentment from his people whose sensibilities he treated with provocative contempt. In fact, he even went to the preposterous extent of attacking the Media Trust Limited, the publishers of the Daily Trust, Weekly Trust and the Sunday Trust, accusing them of having a deep-seated animosity towards him. Their only offence was that they had reported the spontaneous protests, which greeted the outcome of the PDP Presidential primaries. The Lamido administration denied that the people of Jigawa State ever protested against the manner the Jigawa State delegated had voted.
According to Lamido’s fatuous logic, since the Media Trust publications were the only papers that reported the protests, the story couldn’t have been true. What he didn’t tell Nigerians, however, was how governments spend huge funds to kill or suppress stories, which tend to expose popular resentments against their opportunistic actions. Governor Lamido was obviously unhappy with Media Trust publications because they had the guts to publish the story of the spontaneous protests against treacherous delegates and their governors. He didn’t like the audacity of the papers for publishing the offending report, which exposed the fact that the action of Governor Lamido and his uncritical, unthinking and unquestioning delegates didn’t reflect the larger interest of the people of Jigawa State.
It seems Governor Lamido is out of touch with the mood of his people over the political gamble and blunder that he had committed. Arrogant leaders are usually detached from reason until they are swept away by the tidal wave of people’s resentment, which is obviously the fate awaiting Lamido. As one wise man noted, “The best time to keep quiet is when you are in deep water.” Unfortunately, Lamido doesn’t seem to understand the reality of the people’s mood for selling them down the river. Instead, he has been turning the knife in their wound by carelessly telling newspapers that he had no regret for humiliating his people.
Unfolding events in Jigawa State are already showing signs of the extent Governor Lamido has squandered his good will through unpopular political actions and reckless comments. Governor Lamido’s popularity is at the lowest ebb because he is now held in the lowest but silent contempt by the people. The people of Jigawa State recently demonstrated their open dislike of Lamido by coming out in thousands to shower their affection over his ACN gubernatorial challenger, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.
During a recent private condolence visit to Gumel and other towns of Jigawa State, the ACN gubernatorial candidate and his procession of cars were delayed for several hours as thousands of ordinary people came out of their houses to hail him and express their love for him. A simple condolence visit automatically turned into a major political event. Although it was a private visit, thousands of people poured into the streets along the roads his convoy was passing to cheer him and express their political support.
The ACN governorship candidate started his journey from Kano with 10 cars, but before they reached Gumel, the number of cars rose to 300 as thousands of people came out to join his convoy. Such infectious and resounding enthusiasm that greeted the ACN gubernatorial candidate is seen by many keen observers as a strong political statement to the Lamido administration, which is rapidly losing goodwill. On his way out of Gumel, the ACN challenger to Lamido was mobbed where ever he went.
As the procession of cars moved through Mallam Madori, Hadejia, Kirikasama and Birniwa from Gumel, the crowd of supporters grew ever bigger. Even though the event was a condolence visit, it still provided a clear idea of the way the political winds of Jigawa State are blowing. The outpouring of enthusiasm that greeted the ACN gubernatorial candidate as he passed through the major towns of Jigawa State speaks volumes of the mood of the people.
With this event, it is obvious that the Lamido administration is facing its toughest political challenge. The outcome of the PDP Presidential primaries had changed the political calculation in Jigawa State. Having bargained away the honour and pride of his people by negotiating on his knees because he was eager to get the EFCC off his back, Lamido has committed the biggest political blunder. The way the southern delegates voted has exposed the fallacy of patriotism, which Lamido said was the reason Jigawa State delegates gave more than 100 votes to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Instead of managing the needless political crisis he created for himself in his desperation for survival, Governor Lamido continues to make more provocative utterances, which is costing him more goodwill. The massive and automatic reception the ACN candidate had received during his condolence visit was a sign of declining political popularity of the Lamido administration. The ACN candidate also has the added advantage of his compassion, philanthropy, humility, affability and accessibility. In fact, he seems to have become the rallying point for change at the time the people of Jigawa State want to see the back of Lamido. Governor Lamido should, however, take responsibility for the massive loss of popular good will towards his administration. He refused to comprehend the new reality in Jigawa State; instead he is playing the ostrich, deceiving himself that all is well.
Hadejia wrote from 89, Janet Akinrinade Street Jabi, Utako Districk Abuja.Email:[email protected]