An under-ground work towards 2023 election as to who occupies Kebbi State Government House has allegedly commenced in earnest with aspirants exposing their body languages through their errand schemes. KABIRU DOGON DAJI takes a look at various chances of possible contenders.
Aspirants who could not wait for the real game to kick start has unofficially began to make their ambition known to the electorates who has the final say. In Kebbi, the game seems to be dicey as the dilemma is now on rotation of governorship seat of which agitators want it to be shifted from the Central Senatorial District that enjoyed the position for two consequtive times from 1999-2007 and 2015 till date to either North or South Senatorial Districts in line with the existing zoning arrangement.
The political imbalance in the state started since the introduction of emirates politics that gave birth to Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru which was not only respected but upheld and entranched into a political arrangement up to the present day where Gwandu Emirate (central) has 10 out of the 21 local government areas while Argungu, Yauri and Zuru Emirates comprising Kebbi North and South Senatorial Districts share 11 local governments.
The central produced Senator Adamu Aliero and now Atiku Abubakar Bagudu while the North produced Sa’idu Usman Dakingari, though the South had between 1991 and 1992 produced Alhaji Abubakar Musa Yauri under the General Ibrahim Babangida- styled democracy.
Now, the bone of contentions is which of the zone would pruduce the next governor.
Three strong contenders like the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and the national president of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Nasir Idris are aspiring for the position from the Central zone while the North has the Senate leader Senator, Yahaya Abdullahi Argungu and Bala Ibn Na’Allah from the southern district comprising Yauri and Zuru Emirates.
The perception about Malami
Malami hails from Birnin Kebbi town in Gwandu Emirate though a new breed who played a greater role in the success of President Muhammadu Buhari.Malami had never been at the frontline of Kebbi politics; therefore, not to be reckoned with until he was appointed minister in 2015.Investigation shows that though Malami is respected and highly intelligent, but his penchant for ignoring people who often demanded audience with him coupled with strict protocols distances the locals from gaining access to him whenever he visited his country side. Nevertheless, his campaign posters dot major streets and stickers pasted on the tricycles even though he established a charity organisation known as Khadimiya Foundation as part of his campaign strategy.
About the NUT boss
On the other hand, the name of the national president NUT, Dr Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), is on the lips of Kebbi people who perceive him as a philanthropist and human relation. He was one time quoted to have said that he has not declared any intent but awaits the people of Kebbi to assign him for whatever job they feel he can offer.
According to him, “They know my capacity so whatever they think I can do and ask me to do it, I will wholeheartedly endeavour to accept it as well do it deligently because politics is all about people and their mandate; so, I am at their service,” he had once said.
According to Blueprint investigation, it is on record that Idris, using the instrumentality of his position has improved the living condition of teachers especially in the state by ensuring that he fights for their cause to success in the area of welfare. He ensured that Nigerian teachers at all levels are better off than in the past when payments of salaries and wages became very difficult.
Umar Dangana, a teacher said, “Now, it has been improved and salaries are now been paid as at when due while backlogs of all benefits in some states were paid to at least, a maximum proportion. Teachers and their families are ever grateful for his untiring efforts,” he noted.
On Yahaya Argungu
The Senate leader, Sen Yahaya Abdullahi Argungu, is a groomed child of a very powerful political group who determine Kebbi politics.
Although, the senator has tremendously achieved a lot in the area of providing even- development to his constituency and members who always gives thanks to God and shower praises on the Senate leader. It is on record that the provision of social amenities had always been his utmost priority since he got elected in 2015.
So far, Sen Yahaya is the only known aspirant for governorship position from Kebbi North Senatorial District although it could also be recalled that he was defeated in the 2015 APC governorship primaries by the incumbent, Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu.
Speaking to journalists in Argungu recently, spokesperson of the Movement for Rotation of Power to the North or South Senatorial District who is also a commissioner in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad Lamba said the movement has earlier called on the party (APC) to zone the governorship ticket in 2023 to either north or south senatorial district. He said the movement had as well advised Malami to stay off the contest and decline his intent, if at all it exists.
Lamba explained that, “The reason we called on the minister to forget declaring for governorship is because we want him to go for the position of president or vice as the case maybe. We know he has all it takes to fit in the villa contest.”
He then called on Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu to use his office to intervene in order to make sure that justice is being done to meet the yearnings of the north and south zones.
However, while many aspirants in the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are expected to jostle in the contest, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are still silent over the matter, but an insider source said the party is crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s to avoid any likely pitfall as was the case in the past.
However, efforts to get comments from the spokesperson of the party, Malam Ibrahim Umar Ummai, proved abortive as his phones could not be reached.
