Yobe governorship poll: Please, leave Senator Lawan alone

Presently there are text messages going round the places canvassing for support of the people for the lawmaker apart from people who have already formed different political associations in the name of campaigning for him. However, despite these entire hullabaloo by the unknown “campaigners” neither Senator Lawan himself nor any of his close political associates […]

Presently there are text messages going round the places canvassing for support of the people for the lawmaker apart from people who have already formed different political associations in the name of campaigning for him.

However, despite these entire hullabaloo by the unknown “campaigners” neither Senator Lawan himself nor any of his close political associates has come out to confirm the rumors.

Therefore, as a concerned Yobe State indigene, staunch ANPP supporter, loyalist of Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan I think silence on our part as his supporters is  not golden especially at this point in time.

For us not only in Yobe North but the state at large we all are very much aware of the good things the lawmaker is doing in the Senate to better our lives as a people. Senator Lawan was the sponsor of the Desertification Control Commission Bill which is currently undergoing legislation in the National Assembly. This is the first time that we are seeing a practical effort towards tackling the menace of desertification which has already taken over 70 percent of Yobe State with the attending consequence. More so, he has also been fighting to stop the construction of Kafin Zaki Dam in Bauchi State which is highly inimical to the lives of not only Yobeans but also our neighbors in Jigawa and Borno States. He recently sponsored three important motions among which is the one on the “Re-Optimization of the Tiga-Challawa George Dams” which if done will re-open the blocked water channelled leading to river Yobe thereby alleviating poverty in Yobe and Jigawa States which according to the United Nations Development Programme are the most poorest part of Nigeria with the poverty level reaching 1000 percent in 15 years.

More so, the indefatigable Senator Lawan was the sponsor of the motion on the collapse of the hitherto vibrant Textile Industries in Kano and Kaduna States which have since gone into extinction together with thousands of their workers.

In the same vein, he ensured the construction and rehabilitation of Hadejie-Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Roads in the 2009 budget and constructors are already working on sites.

We are also aware that he has been doing his best to secure jobs for our youths who are highly marginalized in federal appointments according to report of the Federal Character Commission.

Now, the question to be asked at this point is: who are behind the rumors that he is vying for governorship? Considering the good things he is doing for our people it is not out of place if some people feel genuinely  that they want him to come home and continue serving us as a governor.  We are also aware of some elements in Yobe who are eyeing his position but feel threatened by his achievements  and they feel the best thing for them to do is to distract him from  what he is doing by spreading rumors that he wants to contest in 2011 in order for them to have it an easy way. They should know that power and leadership belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He wants.

However, for those of us who have been with him since 1999 and know him very well  Senator Lawan is patient, calm person and never in a hurry a to contest for offices. I can recall that in 2003 people thought he would not re-contest for the House of Representatives because he did not indicate his interest until two weeks to the primary elections in our party where as some of his colleagues started campaigning with just less than a year in office.

For those who are genuinely and truly conversing for him to contest, I will please advise them to rather gear their efforts and energy in encouraging him to continue with the good works he is doing.

We all know that, in legislation experience is a critical success factor and If for the first time we have such an experienced lawmaker who is fighting for the interest of all Yobeans what we should do is to pray for him for God’s guidance and protection wish him well but not to distract him from what he is doing for the people and also ensure that he returns to the hallowed chambers of the Senate in 2011 to continue with the good things he is doing for the state.

Until he personally signifies his interest to contest for governorship of our dear state, we should not distract him from achieving more for our Yobe North Senatorial District and indeed Yobe State. I therefore call on those engaged in the campaigns to leave our dear Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan alone. I enjoined all and sundry to pray for our illustrious son to succeed in achieving all the laudable set targets for our people.

Musa Mohammed wrote in from No. 24 Katuzu ward Gashua Yobe State