Embedded in the recent endorsement of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for a second term by Eggon Youth Progressive Forum, is a political secret that seems to have come to the opposition as a great surprise. The opposition has been playing ethnic and religious card for long, as a strategy to boost their political fortunes, especially among the highly-influential Eggon people of the state. Now the tables are turning, writes MU’AZU ABARI
As 2015 general election speed towards its crescendo the people of Nasarawa state like their counterparts in other parts of the country are getting set to go into another round of elections for governorship and other elected representatives at all levels of government who will pilot their affairs for the next four years.
This has prompted various political parties in the state to conduct their primaries wherefrom various candidates emerged as flagbearers of their respective parties; who are currently putting finishing touches to slug out with each other in the battle for Shendem Road Government House in Lafia.
It is in view of this that various groups and organizations have continued to endorse their choice candidates for various elective positions at all levels; with the hope of getting a deserving, result- oriented and responsible leadership.
It is therefore not surprising that the political environment of Nasarawa has continued to witness strange developments as some politicians and candidates continued to adopt various strategies which they believe would lead them to victory, using every weapon at their disposal – including blackmail, ethnic and religious sentiments – to garner the support at the expense of the corporate existence of the state.
Bu one issue that has continued to take the centre stage of Nasarawa politics in the last few months orchestrated and promoted by these ethnic champions is whether the Eggon people in Nasarawa state will vote for Governor Tanko Al-Makura for a second term or not.
This issue arose as a result of perceived friction between the governor and some prominent Eggon politicians. The erroneous belief in most quarters is that the Eggons will not vote for Al-Makura, who they regarded today as their greatest enemy having fell apart with him and his administration as a result of the Ombatse crisis – which engulfed the state leading to loss of several lives and displacement of many communities.
Though it is true that since the outbreak of this unfortunate crisis the cordial relationship that existed between the governor and the Eggons – particularly in the build up of 2011 election – went sour
having been instigated by some prominent Eggon politicians who see themselves as demi-gods of Eggon politics. This explains their decision to give their misunderstanding with the governor an ethnic colouration and mobilized ethnic sentiments against Al-Makura for their own selfish political interest.
Al-Makura’s opponents did not only stop at mobilizing ethnic and religion sentiments against him but they also continued to spread all forms of falsehood against him – including political blackmail – perhaps sensing that they cannot match his popularity in a free and fair contest. This problem widened the rift between the opponents and the governor, while setting a bad precedence in the politics of Nasarawa.
An Al-Makura’s supporter insisted that “despite all these efforts by these chicken-hearted politicians and anti-democratic elements in the state, who hide under the canopy of ethnicity to discredit the governor and his administration, the Eggon youth themselves have started realizing that their so-called political elites are only using them to feather their own selfish political nest.” It is evident that the Eggon people have finally decided to revolt against them and to curb their sphere of influence.
The youth appear to have also come to the realization that Al-Makura has no any personal grudges against the Eggons as an ethnic group or any other tribe – as this self-serving politicians want the the world to believe. At various fora, they have told whoever cares to listen that they have discovered that, what is seen in some quarters as Eggon/Al-Makura’s friction is purely a personal disagreement between the governor and some prominent Eggon politicians who decided to throw decency into dustbin and draw battle line with the governor, in their desperate bid to rule the state at all cost and by all means – under the pretence of protecting the interest of the Eggons.
The solidarity from Eggon Youth progressive Forum therefore came as a shock to the prominent Eggon politicians, for it puts a lie to the earlier claims that Al-Makura has an axe to grind with Eggon people.
Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, a businessman in Nasarawa Eggon said this of the governor: “Since his election in 2011, governor Al-Makura has continued to pre-occupy himself with how to better the lots of the people of Nasarawa and unite the state with a view to leaving it better than he met it at the end of his tenure. That is why he refused to be distracted by the antics of his detractors who have brought the state to its knees in the past”.
He explained that Governor Al-Makura is mindful of the fact that he was elected in 2011 through the “overwhelming support” and votes of the ordinary people of Nasarawa – cutting across tribal, ethnic and religious affinities. He said it is therefore unthinkable that he would single out a particular ethnic group for witch-hunting ,as being bandied by his detractors. He argued further that it was not in his character, “going by his antecedents in all his life endeavours.”
He then concluded thus: “ He is known to be a lover of peace, development, very simple and humble, highly patriotic and focussed an attributes that contributed in endearing him to the hearts of the people of Nasarawa – who first saw the need to trust him with leadership of the state in 2011 election; and up till today he has not disappointed the people of Nasarawa.”
What Al-Makura’s supporters consider his detractors seem ever more prepared to curb his new sphere of political influence, to rubbish him and his administration seems to be fast giving way to his increasing acceptability amongst the ordinary people of Nasarawa state. The most recent event that points to this could be seen clearly from the endorsement by various segment of the people of Nasarawa.
In the coming days and weeks, the political fortunes of the incumbent governor could continue to grow in leaps and bounds, according to pundits. For the opposition, prominent among who are former ministers, notably Labaran Maku and Solomon Ewuga seem to have been sent back to the drawing board.
