New calculations as Senator Lado joins APC

It’s no longer a secret, Senator Basheer Garba Lado, politician, businessman and notable philanthropist, will be formally moving from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on the 27th of January. The Kano-born Senator represented Kano Central Senatorial Zone in the 7th National Assembly where he delivered a compelling […]

It’s no longer a secret, Senator Basheer Garba Lado, politician, businessman and notable philanthropist, will be formally moving from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on the 27th of January. The Kano-born Senator represented Kano Central Senatorial Zone in the 7th National Assembly where he delivered a compelling performance, notwithstanding his youthfulness.

This significant political move comes at a period the nation is at a cross-road-the challenge of creating a new nation state defined by a genuinely progressive template and inclusive governance. Further, an aspect of this move which is spawning considerable interest from a diverse range of political stakeholders in Kano and beyond, given it substantial weight is that Senator Lado will be pulling over 116,000 card-bearing members of the PDP into APC in Kano State. Lado, who in 2011 defeated former Reps Speaker, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba in the Senatorial primary to go on and win the Kano Central Senatorial election, is a very humble, soft-spoken and youthful politician.

These qualities veil an inner steel that defined his tenure in the 7th Senate. With 15 LGAs, Lado’s senatorial constituency is the largest in the country. Lado’s outstanding parliamentary returns, both to his state and constituents at large, during his stewardship ensured his wide support base to-date.

In a milieu and arena where gerontocrats hold sway, he represents a fresh breath and arguably one of the best examples of his generation. His youthfulness belies the depth of his grasp of issues and core governance values. These qualities have been further honed over the years from active participation in mainstream political and society-focused matters. It’s then not surprising that his quiet, humble but principled positions on key regional and national issues have drawn the respect and admiration of many friends, associates, prominent politicians cutting across religion, geographical boundaries and age.

Although Senator Lado is a one-term legislator of the 7th Senate, his broad conception of democratic governance is revealing. According to him, “Good governance is participatory, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient and equitable. It has to follow the rule of law, ensure that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. Deficits in these areas give rise to conflict and set back human development.”

In moving over to the APC, Senator Basheer Lado has already clearly proved his political mettle, vision, unique strengths and enduring discipline. This is perhaps not surprising in a political environment as informed as Kano’s. Senator Lado, a graduate of Bayero University Kano with a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Political Science is from Nassarawa Local Government of Kano State. He strongly believes that politics, business and philanthropy are all areas of service to humanity.

In his time in the 7th National Assembly, he was Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works he initiated over 100 constituency projects with 100 per cent rate of completion. Of the numerous governance goodies he attracted to Kano, perhaps two enjoy flagship status – and easily have Kano folks beaming with deep appreciation. These are the N2.5bn Kundila Bridge Kano which ecstatic Kano citizens fondly call Gadan Lado. The other is the N14.5bn 171 km Kano-Katsina road dualization project. Even an appreciative Katsina State delegation  visited Kano to fete Senator Lado. Measured by any parameter, these achievements represent unprecedented performance by any first term senator, particularly of Kano origin. In the arena of philanthropy, he has touched and changed countless grateful lives through his ‘Ladon Alheri Foundation.’

Clearly, his entry into the APC will certainly spark new calculations as the party adjusts to accommodate a new generational force for good. As Governor Umar Ghanduje leads the welcoming party for Senator Lado as he “returns’ home, the calculations in that highly politically aware arena has shifted to higher vibrations as Kano folks are eager to receive a son in whom they are well pleased.

Looking at the big picture, as the clock ticks away relentlessly towards the 2019 general elections, Nigeria’s political space has become an arena for politicians to share their visions, project their selling points and test their support base. Hardly a novelty, this format of engagement nevertheless provides a fair barometric reading of how the political battles will play out. Interestingly, this form of political horse-trading varies in character and content from zone to zone and from state to state. But in Kano, the home state of Senator Basheer Garba Lado where the level of political awareness and participation ranks highest in the north, it’s a different ball game.

From his rich and sterling legislative, political and philanthropic credentials Senator Basheer Lado is clearly a leader bristling with qualities needed in the onerous task of building a new Nigeria.

Ukaonu writes from Abuja