Balarabe Musa put the poor in the centre of governance – ASUU


The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said Nigeria  has has lost an iconic  revolutionary in Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, former governor of old Kaduna state who passed on at the age of 84 years on Wednesday, November 11,  2020.


A press release signed by ASUU national chairman, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi Sunday, describes Balarabe Musa as a committed revolutionary who worked for the social transformation Nigeria.
“The transition of Balarabe Musa is another major loss to the family of left-wing political leaders in Nigeria and Africa. Balarabe Musa belonged in the league of Eskor Toyo of Nigeria, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Steve Biko of South Africa and other  African revolutionaries. 


“His subscription to the socialist ideology of putting  the well-being of the poor at the centre of governance made him unpopular with the ruling class and reactionary elements of his generation. His radical politics and activism pitched him against the status quo politicians who did much to distract him from the development of his Kaduna State (now Kaduna and Katsina States),” the statement reads in part.


Ogunyemi said ASUU has lost a comrade whose Talakawa agenda would be missed by Nigerian masses. “Balarabe Musa was a political disciple of Mallam Aminu Kano whose Talakatwa agenda led to the founding of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in 1978. 


“When Musa was  elected Governor of the old Kaduna State in 1979, he practicalised his sociaiist principles in ways that revolutionised education, health, housing, transportation, agriculture, and employment and brought about a quantum leap in the people’s quaiiiy of life.
“His uncompromising stance against institutionalised corruption and politics of  self-aggrandisement incurred the wrath of right-wing political class who conspired to impeach him less than two years into his tenure on June 23, 1981.” 
With all the persecutions, Ogunyemi said, Musa remained undaunted till he  breathed his last. 


ASUU noted that Musa, as  chairman of Conference of Political Parties made incisive and insightful contributions to national discourses and provided formidable opposition to the prevalent ideology of underdevelopment.”He rejected clannish politics and unbridled religiosity used to manipulate, stereotype and exploit the mass of the Nigerian people by the kleptocratic ruling class. 


“He unapologetically professed his commitment to the socialist path for addressing the multifarious and multidimensional problems confronting the Nigerian state. His advocacy for state-funded education at all levels and state-financed health provision, transportation, housing and employment endeared him to the grassroots and left-wing politicians and activists not only in Kaduna State, but all over Nigeria and beyond.”


According to the release, Musa remained the poorest former governor in the history of Nigeria.

“He was a major source of inspiration to the consolidation of ASUU principles. He stood by the Union all through thick and thin of the 1980s and 1990s. 
“He participated in our activities at very short notice. And, as if to bid us farewell, Comrade Musa gave the last National Delegates Conference (NDC) lecture of our Union at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU) on 4th May, 2018.”
 He said his lecture bordered on Ideology, restructuring and the liberation of Nigeria.
ASUU said Balarabe’s departure is a challenge to the radical socialist elements  in Nigeria to close ranks and unite the oppressed to form their own party with the goal of  building a country where justice serves all .

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