I write in response to a publication with the above title by Sahara Reporters on August 7, 2022. The online purveyor of fake news tried to smear the hard-earned reputation of Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar (rtd), the Bauchi state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose rising popularity and acceptability by the electorate is giving the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sleepless nights in the state.
It’s an open secret that the good people of Bauchi state are looking for a leader, who has the wherewithal to salvage the state and put it on the part of development. Fortunately, they have realised that the cap fits the just retired air chief, who won the APC primary election by a wide margin in a transparent manner that all lovers of our infant democracy are pleased with.
This attests to the fact that we’re setting good example for others to follow. After the primaries, Sadiq got busy working towards the unity of his party before the official nod from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for candidates to start campaign. Aside APC stakeholders, the law-abiding Sadiq has not yet engaged any individual or group to support his campaign.
The APC governorship candidate is peace loving gentleman whose antecedents and records are in the public domain. It may interest the public to attest to the fact, that it was during his tenure as the chief of air staff that the Nigerian Air Force was rejuvenated. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Sadiq in 2015, it was based on merit.
However, I recall how Boko Haram controlled a significant number of local government areas in the North-east and advanced to other part of the country. At the time, we did not have the freedom to visit our places of worship. But with the coming of this extraordinary gentleman, of course, he ensured Boko Haram was subdued, and the territorial integrity of the nation highly protected against all adversaries.
Modern weaponry was procured to boost the morale of the Air Force personnel. Their welfare was enhanced, infrastructure was built all over the country to enhance the working condition of the personnel. Sadiq never compromised the standards, he ensured everything was put in place to complement the efforts of hardworking staff in the general interest of the nation.
The APC governorship candidate can never be associated with any crime in all his life talk less of hiring 1000 thugs. He is a dedicated father, and community leader, who gave his all for the well-being of his fatherland. This is why he has always been called to serve by his people after he successfully retired from the Air Force, leaving it better than he met it.
He was, again, called to serve in a different capacity as Nigeria’s ambassador to Chad, and now the good and progressive people of Bauchi state have requested him to come home and lead APC in the forthcoming governorship race. Answering a clarion call is in his DNA, so he accepted the challenge and forged ahead with permutations.
Indeed, Baba remains resolute in pursuing the mandate for the emancipation of Bauchi state through an all-inclusive campaign. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the APC will continue to be in the vanguard of issue-based campaign until the state is reformed and positive change delivered in such a way the dividend of democracy will go to every nook and cranny of Bauchi state without prejudice.
Sadiq can never be distracted by the antics of questionable media platforms that are hellbent on disseminating falsehood to tarnish the image of a patriot of high repute, a rare gem, who has all it takes to put his people and state on the path of sustainable growth. He’s the man capable of transforming the Pearl of Tourism and boosting industrialisation through people-oriented programmes and projects.
As a peace loving man, of course, Sadiq will apply strategic security approach that unconditionally guarantees the safety of lives and properties of the people. He has done it before, and he’s capable to make things better for the people of Bauchi state. So, for God’s sake, if someone has the aforementioned credentials how could he be fingered in initiating trouble?
I think the opposition is only afraid of his rising popularity to salvage the state from their maladministration and send them packing from Ramat House. This is why they are sponsoring smear campaign against him. Certainly, he has the potential to turn the tide and make things work for the common man in the state. The current quagmire brought by the PDP can be holistically addressed if Sadiq is given the mandate.
No doubt, Baba Sadiq is a top-notch army general turned a maverick politician. He has earned respect and authority in the country and beyond and in many ways demonstrated a commitment to the development of his people and country. His compassion and remarkable disposition to serve have combined to endear him to many that brought him to the political arena to taste the flame, and in sha Allah, he will come out victorious in the 2023 elections. Indeed, Bauchi shall be great again under his stewardship.
Not only does he have the interest of the state at heart, but he also has the credentials, and required skills to solve the socio-economic, political and multi-sectoral challenges facing the state. However, we are confident in a free and fair contest, APC candidate will be a candidate to beat at the polls. He’s ‘a safe bet’ in the 2023 election and a force to be reckoned with in the current political dispensation.
Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani,
Galadima Mahmoud Street,
Kasuwar Kaji, Azare, Bauchi state.
