Fura da nunu politics of Bauchi

By Kemjika Hilary Kemjika

It is conspicuously known that there is acrimonious relationship between Bauchi state governor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar and Bauchi state Abuja-based politicians, notably the National Assembly members. But the introduction of Education Minister, Mr Adamu Adamu, a confidentially trusted confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari, has added a controversial twist to the already bellicose fray, causing colossal apprehension into the governor’s camp.
The recruitment and enlistment of Adamu Adamu into the governor opponents’ camp has tremendously energised the governor’s rivals and reinforced the belief held by many that the Abuja bloc is fully supported by Mr President.
Although the rivalry had been hellishly simmering for long, it was blown open when the Abuja armada led Hon Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of House of Representatives, on 19th August 2016, the governor to APC national leadership. They chiefly accused the governor of embezzling N8.6 billion bail-out funds provided by the Federal Government to the state, instead of paying workers’ salaries.

Speaking to newsmen after conferring with the party leadership, Senator Ali Wakili, a stupendously wealthy retired Customs officer (Bauchi Central) said “you know Bauchi is an agrarian and civil service state, and we must do everything to see that workers are paid as and when due; we are not comparing ourselves with Osun or Edo or other states that have backlogs of nine months, it is not our business”. Also speaking Senator Nazif Gamawa (Bauchi North), added “there are many issues, but these are party issues, we felt there was need for us to come and discuss with our leaders and these issues are being handled”. In addition he said “there was fire on the mountain in APC in Bauchi state”.
In addition to what was made known to the media,the Abuja warship bitterly complained that the governor runs the state like a fiefdom, sponsored massive protests against them alleging that they were among those that wanted to impeach President Buhari, does not listen to advice, centrally awards contracts, obviously exhibiting chronic stinginess with Bauchi collective common wealth ,reneging on his promise to serve only one term, constituted local government caretaker chairmen without consulting them. They also accused the Bauchi APC chairman Uba Nana of taking side with the governor. The issue that drew the ire of the federal lawmakers most was the release of a “party structure”, purportedly endorsed by the governor, which outlines how 2019 elective positions will be filled. In the said structure, all the names of National Assembly members were practically missing, replaced with the governor’s close allies. The Abuja configuration therefore demanded from the APC national leadership the dissolution of Bauchi state APC exco, and the constitution a caretaker prior to fresh congresses. After raptly listening to them, APC national chairman Chief John Oyegun promised to take “drastic” actions.
The Abuja line up proceeded to Presidential Villa to confer with President Buhari, they strenuously repeated their demands during their meeting with Buhari.Mr President advised them to sheathe their swords and allow the lawyer-governor to complete his first tenure while his replacement was being sought to avoid bloodshed and instability, taking into consideration that northeastern Nigeria is plagued with insurgency.
While the Abuja warship is well funded and organised, linked to the presidency, the governor is mainly supported by poorly paid commissioners and his aides, financially starved newly appointed local government caretaker chairmen, some of whom go to work on ACHABA (motorcycle) or KEKE NAPEP (tricycle) and a fraction of heavily remunerated APC party excos and members of the state House of Assembly. There are reports that some kitchen cabinet members of the governor will soon switch over to the Abuja camp due to poor remuneration and lack of incentives.

Unlike Mallam Isah Yuguda, former governor of Bauchi state who controlled all levers of power, including traditional rulers, Governor Abubakar controls none, apart from a handful of party exco members and members of the state House of Assembly. Yuguda bankrolled the election of all political office holders in 2007 including National Assembly members, Governor M.A Abubakar sponsored none. Yuguda was known for his benevolence, Abubakar does not have reputation for generosity. This may be one of the reasons the Abuja gladiators do not have regard for him.
It is extremely difficult to ascertain how much Governor Abubakar has collected from federal allocations since assuming office on May 29, 2015. Figures are often shrouded in uttermost secrecy by the government, and exaggerated exponentially by the opposition (APC to APC opposition, the same party with the governor) what is known is that the allocations run into billions of naira and sweeping poverty is still boldly written in people’s faces.
As the rages, it remains to be seen whether the governor will escape the political hurricane.

Kemjika, a media consultant, writes in from Bauchi