Nasarawa 2019: Lessons from Osun rerun election

Th e recent defeat suffered by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun West senatorial rerun election where Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner is a wakeup call for governors ahead of the 2019 general election.

Th e turnout of the election is a confi rmation that the electorate would no longer tolerate imposition of candidates by political parties, especially by governors who may want to anoint their cronies as successors. Ademola Adeleke, brother to the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, was the preferred candidate but had to leave APC barely a month to the rerun following discontentment arising from the outcome of the party’s primary election.

While the electoratet identifi ed with Ademola Adeleke, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the national headquarters of the ruling party instead picked Mudashiru Hussein as APC candidate, forcing Adeleke to defect to PDP and eventually winning the rerun election via a protest vote. Th e outcome of the Osun rerun is indeed a rude shock, especially against the backdrop of the support enjoyed by APC administration in the state led by Aregbesola.

Th is is indeed a warning to other state governors across the country, particularly Nasarawa State and as the 2019 general election approaches. Already, reports indicate that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura may have shown interest in the candidacy of one of the aspirants seeking to replace him come 2019. Th ere are also allegations of some political heavy weights in the state clandestinely meeting to anoint the candidature of another politician. Th is however does not preclude that individuals, the governor inclusive as well as top politicians in the state may not have their preferences and have every right to support a candidate of their choice. Nevertheless, as Osun rerun election has shown, it would be better if these infl uential politicians pay heed to the yearning and aspirations of the people instead of forcing a their candidate on the electorate.

Th is could only be achieved if the state governor maintains absolute neutrality by strictly adhering to the dictates of the country’s constitution, Electoral Act and party guidelines regarding the process leading to the emergence of an acceptable governorship fl agbearer of the APC in the state for the 2019 general election. So far, Al-Makura has demonstrated sterling leadership qualities and has been a father to all. Judging from his disposition, particularly against his recent comment calling for the scrapping of the Senate in order to cut cost of governance, amidst clamor for him to join the race for Nasarawa South senatorial seat, shows him as a true democrat who could not be blinded by personal interest. Now, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the governor on the need to sustain his independence of mind, an essential factor responsible for his achievements.

It is arguable that had Al-Makura pandered to the whims of mostly selfi sh politicians, he could have hardly attained the feat he would eventually bequeath to the state. As the true progressive that he is, Al-Makura must not allow personal interest infl uence a process requiring utmost sincerity and selfl essness, placing a collective burden on him as a father to the state to remain just and fair to all.

Th e outcome of the Osun senatorial rerun election more than anything else remains a wakeup call for Governor AlMakura to do the needful and allow the electorate in Nasarawa state elect the next governor of their choice. Th at way posterity would judge him as not only the father of the state but a leader that gallantly made his mark in the political history of the state. Shuaibu Usman, Shabu, Lafi a, Nasarawa stat

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