NAJIB SANI reports that Governor Bala Mohammed is yet indecisive whether or not to contest the number seat in the country amidst calls for him to do so.
2023 consultations begin
Although the 2023 general election is still far flung, politicians have already begun consultations, establishing structures and nursing various political ambitions. Some have started making contacts and expressing interests for different offices.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state is at the moment in limbo on his next political career as more groups and people within and outside the state continue to mount pressure on him to run for president come 2023 and succeed Muhammadu Buhari.
Calls for Bala to contest
Some of these pressure groups are of the opinion that based on his performance as the governor of the state and considering the calibre of aspirants wishing to join the race in the next presidential election, ‘he will make a good candidate and president’.
Others are of the view that the north east sub region had faced political marginalisation and had not produced head of federal government since after the demise of late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1960s. Hence someone like Bala who hails from there should be next Nigerian president.
However, it is noteworthy that Bala Mohammed is a one term governor while all the other governors hoping to take over presidency from Buhari are currently serving their second terms.
Beginning of visits
The first group to endorse Mr Bala as presidential aspirant was the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) who visited him at government house on 24th June 2021 begging him to vie for the exalted seat come 2023.
The National President of NYLF Elliot Afiyo said that based on their “findings Bala Mohammed remains the best presidential material for 2023” particularly his role of ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ that brought peace in the country during the Yar’adua regime when the late president became incapacitated due to his ill-health.
Afiyo who claimed that NYLF had played significant role for the emergence of all the presidential candidates who were later elected since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1998 noted that with a membership strength of over four million, the forum has strong base to be relevant in the political process of the country.
“I hereby present the letter of call to contest the 2023 presidency to you on behalf of the NYLF. Let me tell you that, if you decline our request, we will work against your political aspirations in the future, even from your local government area”. He threatened.
But the governor in his response avoided clear answer in order not to tie himself but asked them to give him three weeks to make pronouncement.
He stated that he would declare his aspiration in the deadline after making consultations with political stakeholders across the country.
“I will not categorically give you an answer, I will have to make consultations across all political divides in the country after which I will come out with my position.
“I rely on the leading of Allah and my political constituency. Just give me between two and three weeks and I will get back to you with a definite answer.
But after the expiration of the three weeks deadline, Mr Bala has not declared whether he would join the presidential race or not leaving the electorates in the state in suspense.
NYCN, NURTW, others visit
In the meantime, there came another endorsement from an amalgamation of associations and groups including the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS), and Bauchi state traders and artisans associations and associations of Keke NAPEPS and motorcycle (achaba) riders last Monday who stormed Bauchi government house and re-echoed the call on him to contest for president in the next polls.
The groups led by the chairman Bauchi state chapter of NYCN Adamu Dimis said that the coalition had made adequate consultations with stakeholders before coming up with their position.
According to him, the governor no doubt, had distinguished himself in the art of governance in all his previous positions, adding that his popularity cut across all sections of the country.
The coalition while expressing optimism that their preferred candidate could win the presidential election if he contests, assured of its members resolve to continue to canvass support for him across nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
Bala’s response
On his part, Governor Bala Mohammed thanked the coalition for finding him suitable for the exalted position, adding that it was not the first such call was made on him to contest.
According to him, though he is contented with his current position as governor, he would make wider consultations across the length and breath of the country to determine his acceptance to contest or otherwise.
He declared that he had started making consultations with former ministers, senators and leaders across the country after his first endorsement adding that he got the go ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to run for president in the 2023 election.
“But I have to consult traditional rulers and ulamas too because I need their support”. Bala said.
Other reactions to the call
The two separate endorsements had elicited reactions from commentators and citizens of the state. A former member of the house of representatives from Bauchi state, Honourable Hamisu Muazu Shira said he is in full support of the calls for Bala to contest the presidential election in 2023.
Honourable Hamisu Shira said himself and his colleagues the former federal lawmakers from the states of the north east would support the governor as the region was dominated politically.
He said the north east still has qualified human political materials who have ambition to serve the nation at the highest level of political office as such ambitions do not have to be shut down just because there are southerners that want to become President of Nigeria in 2023.
The former House of Representatives member however opined that if former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested to contest again, Governor Bala Mohammed would have no option than not to contest the position.
But the questions are, is Bala Mohammed capable to be president? Can he win the election considering the fact that presidential campaign is an herculean task, costly? And are the people of the state really in support of that aspiration?
Some citizens of the state responded to Blueprint on the questions raised.
Isah Babayo opined that PDP winning 2023 election can only be determined by where APC zones its presidential candidate and who eventually emerges as its flag bearer.
“In my opinion, Bala should not consider going to presidency now, he should just go for his second term and finish the work he has started in the state if he eventually comes out victorious in the 2023 elections”.
Another indigene of the state, Alkasim Nuhu Abdulkadir, said the chances of Bala to win the presidential election are very narrow considering the unconstitutional agreement of power shift which the south stands to their height to secure “under that fraternity accord”.
Also, a public commentator, Ahmed M Salihu, replied that Bala is capable as a seasoned administrator who rose to the level of director in the federal civil service, elected senator as well as occupied the position of a minister, and now governor of Bauchi state.
“Should he re-contest for governor or heed calls and run for President? This is a relative term to me, but the question of re-contesting and or going for presidency does not even arise. I am not even sure if Governor Bala is even seriously eyeing to contest the presidency.
“It is hoax, a political noise-making as usual in Nigerian politics. Many factors could be reasons why I will not agree with that, which is the yardstick to understand everything”, he asserted.
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on projects monitoring Musa Azare said,
“In my opinion, he should listen to those calls. As president, he can continue with his agenda of developing Bauchi state. But as Bauchi governor, he has very limited powers to help Nigeria reaching the promised land”.
