Why I want to be the next governor of Bauchi – Ningi

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi is the Deputy Senate Leader in the Senate. He holds the traditional title of Walin Ningi, in the historic Ningi Emirate Council.  He was one time Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, and headed the Solid Minerals and Police Affairs committees in the lower chamber. A versatile parliamentarian who ranks as one of the oldest members in the National Assembly with cognate experience, Senator Ningi  has seen it all since 1999 when Nigeria transited to democratic governance. In an interview with a select group of journalists in his office in Abuja, he took time to talk about his aspiration to succeed Malam  Isa Yuguda as the next governor of Bauchi state.

You have been consulting your people on your gubernatorial ambition since last year and from the beginning of this year a lot of groups and stakeholders are openly endorsing you to go for the gubernatorial ticket, what is your response to these calls?
That is very correct, I have been consulting my people, I have visited all the senatorial zones of the state and the response has been encouraging and positive. We give thanks to God that our little contribution in the National Assembly is being appreciated by the people at home, remember they took us to Abuja, and from the look of things they are satisfied with our performance, hence their decision to call on me to serve them in the state as their governor, Alhamdulilah, the consultation is still ongoing, the guidelines have been released by the PDP national headquarters, i have bought my form, so  that is it, we are still meeting our elders and youths to see how we can reach our destination.

So we can now say you have heeded to the clarion call of your people?
Yes, it is a call to serve, and I look up to God for guidance, am daily praying to God, if it is for good let it be, if it is for bad God should take care, as a Muslim, it’s not a must that I must be the governor of Bauchi state, but to tell you the truth, the outpouring of calls and support for my aspiration is overwhelming and I cannot reject my peoples demand. I have accepted their call, but let me warn that we all that are aspiring for the governorship seat must shun politics of bitterness and character assassination, lets sell ourselves to the people, and allow them to decide who should govern them, let us all support and rally round whoever that emerged as the candidate of the party to win the governorship election.

What   stands you out among other aspirants vying for the position of governor?
A lot of things, firstly, my connection with the people of Bauchi state, I’m by the grace of God a true Ambassador of my state and secondly my pedigree and experience.  I have had cognate experience in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, I was Chairman Solid Minerals and later Police Affairs Committees, I have presided over  committees like Niger Delta and Sure-P at ad hoc levels    So, I have what you call  experience. As I said earlier, I am connected with the grassroots all over the state not only in my constituency and senatorial districts, all over Bauchi state; anywhere I go to in the state, am at home. And I have been a staunch and committed party man since 1999.

What is your take on zoning the governorship position in the state?
It’s a topical issue among political stakeholders in the state and it has been on the front burner for quite some time, but if the truth must be told I would say the central zone which has never tested the number one seat in the state should have it this time around in the interest of equity and justice, everybody should be carried along in the state. That is my take. be that as it may, there is no local government or village that i have not visited,  anywhere  I knock and say I am Senator Ningi the door will be opened for me because  I am a man of the people.

In view of the complaints of marginalization by some sections in the state, how would you rectify this?
Let me stress that governance is not an easy task, it’s not, and you can never satisfy all the people, however we are there to serve them, but let me assure my people that I will be fair to all groups in the state if elected as the governor, they have to know that after election you automatically become the governor of all and not your local government, zone or party members alone.
So your connection with the people and truthfulness has been the reason for your long stay in the National Assembly?
Yes that is what am telling you, I have been in the National Assembly since 1999, three times as a Member of House of Representatives and now a Senator, it is the grace of the Almighty Allah  and the love my  people  have for me that has kept me there this long. For over 14 years now I have been on the side of truth no matter whose ox is gored and those close to me know that I am for all Christians, Muslims, Women,  Youth, the disabled and even the aged. An interesting aspect of my political life is that even non indigenes in the state benefit from my empowerment programmes, name them, Igbos, Yorubas and other ethnic group who have made Bauchi state their home.
I’m a firm believer that power comes from God and resides with the people , God gives position to whom he wishes, so since 14 years now I have been here, if am arrogant, I won’t be of electoral value  to the people.

The PDP election guidelines is out and so far there are some politicians notably two  former SSG, a former minister of State for health and several others from your party aspiring for the governorship seat of Bauchi state , what are your chances sir?
Like I said earlier, power comes from God he gives it to who so ever he wishes, but the truth is, these great sons of Bauchi have the right to contest for any elective positions, they are qualified, and am also qualified, if not over, so at the end of the day the people decides, if it is the wish of God that I will be the next governor of the state nobody can stop it. What we just need to pray for is a level playing field for all of us to present ourselves to the people. All of us cannot be governor at the same time a winner must emerge, but the environment and steps must be transparent and in line with democratic norms and values

 What are your plans if you get the ticket and eventually win the governorship election?    
My plans for Bauchi state are numerous but let me assure the people of my great state that I would consolidate on the achievements of Governor Isa Yuguda and his predecessor Alhaji Adamu Ahmed Mu’azu, you know they have done very well, what we will do as a team is consolidating on their achievements
Let me place it on record and salute Governor Yuguda and our current National Chairman for placing the state on the path of transformation.
Be that as it may, I will place high premium on the development of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs in the state, the present administration has started on good note but I intend to create thousands of jobs through massive support for MSMEs in the state, education, youth empowerment, eradication of poverty and revitalising agriculture as well as rekindling hope for the hopeless citizens in the state will also be my priority.
We will also revitalise agriculture which is our mainstay, we would make Bauchi State financially autonomous, the state will no longer depend on monthly federation allocation to pay salaries, and execute projects. We shall lay emphasis on security, protection of lives and properties. Our mission and vision will be published at the right time this is just a synopsis, but above all we will be there to serve the people of Bauchi State Insha Allah.

What advice do you have for your fellow aspirants?
Very good, I think first and foremost, we should all display maturity in our quest to get the party’s ticket, if there is no Bauchi nobody will be a governor, so let us all play the game according to the rules please, there is no need creating tension, politically-motivated violence and deliberate physical assault on voters and election officials by hired thugs, assassination of political opponent. It’s not our style here and God forbid it will never happen, we in Bauchi are real democrats and we are proud of that tradition. Though, it appears to me that an overwhelming majority of Nigerian politicians have not learnt useful lessons from history about the ultimate futility of using violence to achieve political power.
Let me urge my fellow politicians to put the interest of the masses first before their personal ambition, all bitterness should be put aside because we understand that no matter what happens; it is the son of Bauchi state that would still be governor, so I want to advise all politicians to play according to the rules of the game.

Finally don’t you think the opposition will spring a surprise in your state and the nation as a whole in next year’s election?
It’s not going to be easy for them at all, we are on ground, it’s a good thing that the opposition is there; that is democracy and they can say whatever they want to. That is the beauty of democracy, but the ultimate decision lies with the people and on election day the people would decide, so let’s leave it at that. But again remember the PDP has been in power for about 14 years now, it’s not going to be easy my friend, let’s just pray for a hitch-free elections come 2015.