Re: Protest on Yobe ministerial nominee

I refer to an open letter addressed to the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the nomination of Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim as minister from Yobe State. Ordinarily, one wouldn’t have reacted to that letter, but one is constrained to do so because […]

I refer to an open letter addressed to the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the nomination of Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim as minister from Yobe State. Ordinarily, one wouldn’t have reacted to that letter, but one is constrained to do so because of two reasons. One is to debunk the insinuation that it was on behalf of the entire people of Yobe State. That is a blatant lie aimed at deceiving the public. Secondly, there is the need to state that the authors of that letter are politically irrelevant. They only want to create the erroneous impression that a particular ethnic group is dominating all political appointments in Yobe State.
Contrary to their belief, the entire people of Yobe State are fully in support of the nomination of Hon Khadija Bukar Abba. The people are happy and are expressing their gratitude to President Buhari.
To set the record straight, it is important to mention those who have served as ministers from Yobe State and their respective zones. From 1999 to 2003, Mallam Adamu Chiroma, who is Bolewa by tribe, served as minister. He is from Zone B of the state. From 2003 to 2007, Alhaji Lawan Gana Guba, a Kanuri from Zone A was appointed. From July 2007 to September 2008, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Bolewa, represented Yobe from Zone B. From December 2008 to February 2010, Alhaji Jibir Maigari, a Kanuri from Zone C also served. From March 2010 to December 2010, it was the turn of Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, a Bolewa from Zone B. From July 2011 to January 2014, Dr Yerima Ngama, a Bade from Zone C represented the state. And from June 2014 to May 29, 2015, Dr Abdu Bulama Dokshi, a Babur from Zone A represented Yobe State.
Going by the above analysis, it is clear that Zone B has taken the lead in representing the state in national appointments.
Again, their grudge that the governor, a Kanuri, is from the same zone with the ministerial nominee is a clear indication that the authors of that letter are ignorant of what democracy entails. The governor was duly elected by the people in a free and fair election. They have forgotten that the governor, or any other indigene of the state, has the right to vote and be voted for in any election.  So what is wrong if a governor, who was duly elected, comes from the same zone with a ministerial nominee?
More importantly, let it be known that the president has the constitutional power to appoint his ministers from anywhere. The truth is that the nomination of Hon Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim is the best thing that has ever happened to the people of Yobe State. And she is eminently qualified. As a one-time commissioner and a member of the House of Representatives, she obviously has the needed experience. She knows what the people need. 
Also, the argument that the national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) comes from the same zone as insinuated in that letter does not hold water. If the authors of the letter were bona fide members of the APC they would have known better.
Concerning Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, they have forgotten that he has a large followership and can win election at any time.
Samaila Balumi Machina is a Damaturu-based. He wrote from  [email protected]