Senator Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow is the Vice Chairman Senate committee on Defence and Security. In this interview, the APC lawmaker explains why he is the most qualified to be the next state chief executive in Adamawa. IBRAHIM ABDUL’AZIZ reports
Plan for Adamawa
Let me first of all say that I am happy the way the party received me and I am grateful to the party. This is not a declaration any way, it is just a letter of intent to contest the forthcoming bye-elections to complete the unfinished tenure of the former Governor Murtala Nyako.
For me, I know what to do if given the opportunity to govern the state. Basically, there is nothing in Adamawa, nothing left on ground. We have to start everything all afresh. The basic needs of people should be put in place, democracy as they say, “is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” You should allow the dividends to affect the masses. I think I know what to do when I am given the opportunity to govern this state. I know where to get the right people to work with.
Adamawa is a very good state, it has good people, and the only thing it needs is good leaders who will carry everybody along. What I have done as senator is enough and has vaulted my reputation.
As a serving senator, I am not just serving, I am the vice chairman on Defence and Army in the Upper Chamber, you know I have a lot of experience and our major problem is security.
What is happening in the northern part of this country, especially the North Eastern part is a thing of concern. If I am given the believe opportunity to govern this state, there’s no doubt I have a lot to offer.
As a young man, I know from experience that leadership is a collective responsibility of all, it is not an individual responsibility. You cannot be an Island, you must carry everybody along. Basically, that is the reason why a lot people have failed in the governance of the state. When you you alone can do it, that is where you will fail because it is not possible. It is only God who can manage the sensitivity of people, successfully, without seeking advisers.
You said your decision to contest is in response to a call, we want some clarity on this?
Even people from Southern Senatorial Constituency, they called me, I represented them why, because they know my performance.
When people vote you in to power, you have to come close to them, like in my case, any little opportunity I have either during holiday or when am less business with committee work, i often would come down to my people and ask them their needs and problems. You know, places like Mubi is vulnerable especially with this issue of insurgency and attacks. Nevertheless,I still come down to see their condition and their problems.
I can tell you, all the promises I have made during my campaign I have achieved them all. Among all the promises I made the one I have found difficulty to realize is the road between Mubi, Maiha and Sharau which is about forty two (42) kilometers.
God helped me in the work now people are using the road. Any person from my constituency will agree with me. I am not the type of politician who promises and fails, what I have done is there for everybody to see.
I am not the type of senator who will be making noise in Senate, I have achieved what I am supposed to achieve as senator.
If you are from the Northern senatorial district, you will understand what I am saying, and it is for this reason people are calling me, “come and represent us”. They said, “what you have done is more than just a legislator.
Like I told you, if I am given the opportunity I will fulfill all my promises. So, the moment am given the opportunity during the general election, I will change the state and develop it.
Any premonition over the forthcoming bye-elections?
They don’t have any choice; the constitution makes it clear that there must be an election. The acting governor is my younger brother I am sure he has respect for the law of the country. APC is for the masses, APC is the only party that is good for the masses.
We need change, PDP has overstayed, even God needs change, so we need change. Like in my own case, I am not coming out for mere change, I would bring development. We must change our people at the grassroots from unemployment, by creating opportunities for them to be gainfully employed. You will agree with me that the poor masses are suffering in order to make them survive. We must come out with policies and programmes that will mitigate their sufferings. I am sure the PDP will not want to do anything that will hamper the elections from being conducted.
Will you be bound by any consensus arrangement by your party?
You are talking about consensus. When I came to submit a letter of intent, I have told them my intention, and I have also told them that I did not nominate myself. The people of northern Senatorial zone called me to vie for the post, I even wrote in my letter of intent that if they find me fit, it’s fine. But if there is another person who is better than myself I don’t have problem because I am a party man. I can concede for any other better candidate which the party may wish to present in the general elections.
Your administration’s outlook if elected
Like I told you earlier, I am the Vice Chairman on Defence and Army. It is not like I am an expert on security issues but I am someone who can get any task done by working with all those who are knowledgeable in those fields.
In Adamawa, even before the state of emergency there were cases of armed robbery in places like Mubi, Madagali and Maiha, the cases of Boko Haram was not so rampart, but thank God we have some able generals who are capable of handling the situation.
Thanks, we have Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), he is from Adamawa not only from Adamawa, he is from Mubi, he is from my constituency. I represent him, I meet with him regularly and whenever he wants to see me. Like I said earlier, everybody has his own understanding of leadership, everyone has his own way of doing things, so I also have my own way of leading. The most important thing a leader should take notice of, is to carry everybody along. Why is it important to carry everybody along? This is because government is not for you, it is for the people, you are just a representative of the people. When there is an understanding between you and your people, you should be able to tackle most of their pressing needs. Adamawa is a small state, it is not a big state as such. So what you need to do as a leader is to get the right people and good advisers and if possible get professionals on board to guide you on what to do.
