Shema and PDP presidential primary
Since Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State assumed office in May, 2007, he has left no one in doubt about his style of leadership. Anyone who has been following the trend of Governor Shema’s administration, would agree that he is one leader who carries his people along in matters that affect their wellbeing. He […]
Since Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State assumed office in May, 2007, he has left no one in doubt about his style of leadership. Anyone who has been following the trend of Governor Shema’s administration, would agree that he is one leader who carries his people along in matters that affect their wellbeing. He is very much committed to the sustenance of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s legacy. It is, therefore, odd for anyone to says the governor influenced Katsina Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan at the just-concluded PDP presidential primary. The delegates, like those from other states, voted based on their own discretion. Of course, they are adults and can tell their right from left. It was wrong for Ahmed Yazid Rafindadi to instigate Katsina youths against Governor Shema.
Since the demise of President Yar’adua, President Goodluck Jonathan has not, in any way, betrayed the trust that his late boss had in him. If Jonathan were a selfish and greedy leader, he would have adopted a leadership style that would overshadow his predecessor’s. For goodness sake, Jonathan was Yar’adua’s deputy! Yar’adua must have had great trust in Jonathan to have picked him as his deputy, in the first place.
The recent action of some youths in Katsina should be condemned in its entirety. In any case, these youths appear to be ignorant of what leadership is all about. Leadership is not a do-or-die affair. Leadership comes from God. No matter what anyone does, if God does not sanction it, there is no way the person can assume any leadership position. This is what Ahmed Yazid Rafindadi and his followers appear not to know. Governor Shema did not compel Katsina delegates or anyone for that matter, to vote President Goodluck Jonathan. If Rafindadi and his cohorts are being sponsored to smear the good name of the governor, they should have a second thought. The strategy they are adopting is cheap blackmail. They should not allow themselves to be used by the opposition who are bent on giving Governor Shema a bad name.
Politics in Nigeria is usually characterized by electoral crises and all sorts of violence. This has been attributed to the distrust sown among the various tribes that make up the Nigerian polity. It is rather unfortunate because Nigeria appears to have all it takes to attain the greatness of our founding fathers. Sectional politics is capable of heating up the polity and eventually tear it apart. Nigerian politicians should see politics beyond a quest for power. It is a pity that in this time and age when different tribes and tongues are closing ranks for the development and progress of the nation, we still have sectional politicians like Malam Umar Lawal Isiyakus among us. Those who engage sectional politics hardly get anywhere in politics.
As a religious leader, Sheikh Habibu Kaura of Kofar Kaura central mosque should desist from any form of preaching or acts that is capable of jettisoning the peace and tranquility of Katsina and the nation at large. While the role of religious leaders in the life of a nation is very important and critical, it is equally advisable for them not to become partisan in their dealings with the people. The issue of zoning is purely a PDP affair. Sheikh Kaura should dwell more on peaceful co-existence of the people.
The people should not allow sentiments to becloud their sense of reasoning. What matters most in a political dispensation is good governance. There is no need for anyone to go about defacing PDP billboards or destroying PDP membership cards just because they are angry that Jonathan won the presidential primary. The current administration in Katsina State surely identifies with development. Voting Governor Ibrahim Shema into office for the second time will definitely consolidate the gains of democracy so far recorded in the state. He is committed to the progress and development of Katsina State and will not sell Katsina out; not even to Jonathan. The people should be rest assured that he means well for them in whatever he does.
Muhammad wrote from No. 29, Garun Kurama Road, Unguwar Shanu, Kaduna