By Sulei Umar
Going by political developments in the present democratic dispensation, precisely from 1999 to date, many of us who by sheer providence had hoped for the better from our elected representatives are simply disappointed. This is due to the fact that some of them performed dismally, with the exception of a few who while in office had proved their mettle and partially managed to deliver within the expected context of the desired objective parameter. We expect that elected representatives in 2019 would do better, as we are now prepared to elect nothing but the best among the lot.
While it is pertinent to elect credible candidates who have the love of their constituents at heart, the seat of the executive governor also needs a man of selfless commitment and honesty. This should however be a man with quintessential qualities, who if elected, will ensure continuity and add upon the legacies of the incumbent governor when the latter constitutionally leaves office at the end of his second and last tenure in 2019.
Look at the long list of people jostling for entry into the Gombe Government House in 2019, many of us wonder if some of them possess the requisite experience for the coveted seat, nevertheless, the best will surely emerge.
Our association which comprises people of honesty, integrity, sincerity and committed to good governance did a good home work by sifting through the political and sundry credentials of all aspiring candidates for the number one seat and unanimously decided that the best candidate so far with enviable credentials to occupy the Gombe Government House is no other than Ambassador (Sen.) Haruna Garba (The Magayakin Gombe).
Going by record of his achievements both as a civil servant, a sportsman, an educationist, foremost philanthropist, benefactor and politician, he is so far the best, because in whatever direction you look at him, he possesses the requisite credentials to take Gombe State and its people to the next developmental level.
A step by step deposition of his experience and accomplishments say it all and making mention of some, will convince many of us into lending our collective weight in ensuring that he succeeds the present governor and no doubt continue with his good works.
Reminisces of his outstanding performances as Director of Finance, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) still resonates in our mind. He proved his competence as an experienced financial manager, which gave him the deserved accolade from within and outside the country. As a man who knew his job very well, he strived hard and diligently steered its affairs in becoming one of the best agricultural development programmes in the country.
Thus, when Gombe State was created in 1996, its first Military Administrator, Group Captain J. I. Orji (Rtd), believed there was no other individual of Gombe State extraction who had the needed experience to oversee the financial activities of the young state than Magayaki. He was therefore appointed the first Accountant General of Gombe State andlater Commissioner of Finance by then Governor Abubakar Hashidu as the needed panacea to manage the state’s meager resources. Added to this responsibility was that of budgetary affairs and planning, where his legacies still ring a bell.
Also recorded and widely acknowledged were his untiring effort and pragmatic contribution towards the creation of Gombe State alongside other distinguished personalities of which some had passed away while many are still living. These personalities will readily attest to Ambassador Haruna Garba’s deep obsession for that cause and as one of the great pillars of strength, fought gallantly in the Movement for Gombe State Creation from day one to its historical actualization on the October 1, 1996.
Simply and succinctly said, Magayaki has continued to earn the deserved respect and recognition from the entire citizens coupled with the clear fact of making so many people what they are today including some members of this association who to date, have continued to bask in the euphoria of his benevolence. They include job placements in different states and federal ministries, departments, and agencies; scholarships, as well as providing financial assistance to the needy, making him the first as far as humanitarian service is concerned
It is then unarguable that the Magayaki, a man of amiable disposition, simple in character and richly endowed, whom we see as God sent no doubt, will fit in comfortably if elected as the next executive governor of Gombe State in 2019 and will surely steer the affairs of our dear state creditably.
Therefore, we not only declare him as our candidate ahead of 2019 but also receive our endorsement. With this attestation, we collectively urge him to contest for the number one seat of Gombe State because we wholeheartedly believe in his sincere and honest leadership qualities.
To cap it all, Haruna Garba was a great footballer of his time as well as a renowned sports administrator, who steered the affairs of Gombe United Football Club into winning national and international laurels for the state by spending his hard earned resources without wincing. It is then our fervent believe that he can do more if elected governor in 2019.
It is equally interesting to know why he is our candidate because no sooner he won the Senate seat for Gombe North in 2003, than he became an epitome of strength and widely respected at the Senate. Magayaki was also respected as a very vibrant, astute politician and proficient lawmaker. With these fine qualities, he was soon appointed Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Sport. He also served as deputy chairman, Senate Committee on Naval Affairs and Agriculture, respectively, which made his term therein a very active one.
His sincere love to continue serving his fatherland was recognised at the national level which earned him an executive recommendation by former President Goodluck Jonathan and was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Kuwait.
As a man of great experience, honesty and penchant for hard work, with stance for incorruptibility, coupled with sincerity of purpose and unbending loyalty to serve his people, there is no other person who rightly deserves to be the next occupant of the Gombe Government House but Haruna Garba in 2019.
We of the Association for Credibility and Good Government, cutting across ethnic, religious and political divides and based in Gombe, the state capital, fully endorse and earnestly call on the Magayakin Gombe to contest for the Governorship seat in 2019.
Association for Credibility and Good Governance writes from Gombe, Gombe State
