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My Vision for Jigawa State (II)

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Mustafa Sule Lamido

 

By: Mustapha Sule Lamido

Today, I will begin by urging our dear people to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in various INEC Local Government offices. Those who have not registered should also spare their time to do so immediately. INEC has extended voter’s registration effective from 30th June, 2022. I call on all my fellow Jigawa citizens to use this opportunity to register. As at today, there are about 20 million uncollected PVCs in Nigeria. Between June to December, 2021 alone, there are 33,183 unclaimed PVCs in Jigawa State. Register to vote, it is your right. Collect your PVC and use it to change the future of our state and country.

Moving forward, I would want to make two things clear; number one, my vision is not close-ended meaning that it is flexible enough to accommodate your demands and observations. Therefore, you can always share them with me and my team so that we can see how to incorporate them into the vision. Afterall, the vision doesnt belong to me alone, it is for all Jigawans. Secondly, I will continue to make wider consultations with all the people I aspire to serve because I dont have the monopoly of all the solutions. This means, I am not aspiring to rule Jigawa but to govern it through your inspiration and encouragement.

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To achieve our aims for Jigawa State, we will need national and international partnerships. As such, I have already started working with our PDP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar. I have intimated him on the need to give a special attention to Jigawa State if he becomes President. I have already started making efforts to understand the dynamics of establishing partnerships with international organizations for a working and beneficial relationship with Jigawa State and its people.

From the public reactions, I understand many people are questioning our ability to implement this vision. Some mischief makers even reported that we have claimed to make Jigawa work without federal allocations once elected. This is not true; we are not magicians; what we are saying is that we have developed short- and long-term plans to take Jigawa to greater heights. The execution of those plans would depend on so many factors including the level of support and cooperation we get from the people. We cannot do it alone.

Jigawa is currently ranked the third poorest state in Nigeria with a poverty level of 87.2%. This is a negative narration that we must together strive very hard to change. With a projected 2022 population of 6,842,307, our state has the adequate manpower to turn its fortune around. If only one million Jigawans can be motivated and supported to generate extra N3,000 weekly from their businesses, that will be 3 billion naira per week or 12 billion naira monthly. Compare this with our federal allocation for the month of July, 2021 which is only 5.6 billion. Together, we can do it.

Already, we have our team of experts that are gathering data from the 27 LGAs on current successes and challenges of the state. This data gathering will be intensified if we win the elections. Immediately after swearing-in which gives us access to privileged government information, we will have a comprehensive assessment of the Jigawa state of affairs. Once we do that, we will share the necessary information with the public and release a timeline within weeks. All these will determine the speed with which we can implement our vision. As I said earlier, its not going to be magic, neither is it going to be a one-day job.

The next step is to assemble a patriotic, dedicated and competent team that will get down to work immediately. Already, I have a competent Deputy Governorship candidate, Dr. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel who is a technocrat. Together, we have been identifying and penning down competent people that will potentially work for our administration. We are not concerned about prominence or popularity of such people, but their commitment and competence. We will have a periodic evaluation mechanism of all appointees and anybody who is not being able to deliver will have to give way for better people to come in. Nobody will be indispensable if Jigawa is not his priority.

To think that unity is not achievable in Jigawa state is too pessimistic. Once we put in place a strong and trust-worthy government that is just and fair to all, unity of purpose will be achieved. Unifying a people doesnt mean abolishing all their differences or completely diluting their diversities, it means motivating and persuading them to work for their common development irrespective of such differences. We also have specific policies under review to make this a reality which we cannot make public now for obvious reasons. We shall revamp local governance by ensuring a dynamic, functional and independent local government system. Ministries and public institutions will be repositioned to cut waste, increase efficiency and serve only the people and not selfish interests.

I understand the concerns of some patriotic citizens who have doubts over my experience. I have three things to say on this. Firstly, working in the civil service or holding many government positions is not the only yardstick for competence. Leadership is not all about administration, a good administrator can still be a bad leader. Secondly, we have seen so many people in Nigeria whom have been in administration and have held government positions for several years but still failed woefully in governance. In fact, this is almost the norm. At about my age, the late governor of old Kano State Muhammad Abubakar Rimi was already on his way to becoming one of the greatest governors in Nigeria’s history, so what are we talking about? Thirdly, the position of governor is not a one man’s job, the office is run, supported and checkmated by the executive council, civil service, legislators and even the judiciary. It is not an office that one does whatever he wishes or takes and implement decisions unilaterally.

With this, I believe I have concluded the introductory part of my vision. In my next article, I will go directly into the core issues that will turnaround Jigawa State. The first is education which will be the major priority of my administration, the next is education and more education. Thank you.

Gobe ta Allah ce
©Santurakin Dutse

Politics

Gov. Gida-Gida and Ganduje: The Firing of Unwarranted Political Salvos-Adamu Aminu

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Former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Successor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

By Adamu Aminu.

It is extremely disheartening to see how recently our two elder statesmen, the Kano state Governor, His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusif, politically known as Abba Gida-Gida, and his immediate predecessor, the ex-Kano and present APC National chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are busy exchanging salvos directly at each other.

The exchanges of verbal brawls through their spokesmen emanated shortly after Governor Abba Kabir Yusif inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate cases of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons from 2015 to 2019 to 2023.

It was unfortunate; all the accusations and counter-accusations from both sides were riddled with harsh and demeaning words, deemed unrepeatable and unworthy to come from our respected leaders who are beating chests of leading Kano, the state that has reached the zenith of political maturity in the whole nation.

I was automatically dumbfounded by how the exchanged salvos and political sarcasm were randomly so directed at each other, without revisiting the fact that history never lies; someday, posterity will judge them.

This comes at a time when the warring parties should set aside their differences and make Kano their concern and priority, but they resorted to opening the doors of all blackmailing arsenals at their disposal, overtly directed at each other, without knowing that their utterances and accusations are doing more harm than good to Kano state in general.

This came at a time when our counterpart States in the South, like Lagos, Rivers, and others, have already set politics aside and deeply engaged in the execution of developmental projects for their people, but Kano, a state of whole-tenure politics, is dragging feet towards the fulfillment of promises during electioneering campaigns.

At this time when most Kano industries are not functional, there is no portable water, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and thuggery clogging the wheels of Kano’s economic development, instead, they resorted to engaged in trading bitter words and pointing accusing fingers at themselves.

I think it’s time for our Excellency, the state governor Abba Kabir Yusif, and his predecessor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to wake up from their slumbers and stop demeaning themselves politically.

Trading accusations of one’s incompetence, docility, and another’s accusation of land grabbing and rat-like behavior is not the utmost priority for Kano populace.

It’s time to stop deceiving ourselves with the longstanding Kano praise “Kano Tumbin Giwa, Ko dame Kazo An Fika,” which means Kano, the melting pot, whatever you came along with, you’re far left behind. Kano state in this modern era deserves to be far from where it is now.

I do hope and pray that Governor Abba and his predecessor Ganduje make Kano and Kanawas their utmost priority. They are our role models, exchanging incendiary remarks with each other will show that politics isn’t only a dirty game, it’s a dirty war of raining curses and abuses.

They should know that someday around this time, they will be no more; only their legacies will make them immortal in the memory of Kano populace.

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Politics

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Is The Head of All Political Parties in Kano-Dala

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In a surprising turn of events following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent victory at the Supreme Court, Anas Abba Dala, a former APC chieftain and a devoted supporter of the Governor, has declared that Governor Yusuf is now the de facto head of all political parties in Kano. This assertion includes the APC, the NNPP, and the PDP.

Speaking exclusively to Kano based radio station Freedom Radio, Anas Abba Dala expressed his conviction that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Supreme Court triumph has positioned him as a unifying figure transcending party lines. Dala, who was once a prominent member of the APC, emphasized the significance of the Governor’s victory in unifying Kano’s political landscape.

In the interview, Dala highlighted the historical context of Governor Yusuf’s political journey, acknowledging the Governor’s ability to garner support across party lines. He commended the Supreme Court’s decision, declaring it a victory for not only the PDP but for all political parties in Kano.

Anas Abba Dala’s statement reflects a shifting political narrative, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership is perceived as a unifying force that transcends partisan affiliations. The Supreme Court’s validation of the Governor’s victory serves as a catalyst for a renewed sense of political collaboration and cooperation in Kano.

While this declaration is likely to stir conversations within the political sphere, it underlines the potential for a more inclusive and cooperative political landscape in Kano under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership. As the news of this assertion spreads, it will be interesting to observe how political dynamics in Kano evolve in response to this declaration of unity across party lines.

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Politics

Non-indigenes in Kano Unite in Prayer for Dr Nasir Gawuna’s Success at Supreme Court

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Honourable Seyi Olorunsola, a prominent APC stalwart and Opinion Leader in Kano, has mobilized the non-indigenous Christian community to fervently pray for the success of Dr Nasir Gawuna, the APC candidate, in an impending Supreme Court hearing. This legal battle arises from the NNPC’s appeal, led by Governor Abna Yusuf, challenging the results of the March 18, 2023, Gubernatorial elections in Kano State.

At a prayer conference organized by Honourable Seyi, the non-indigenous Christian community gathered to intercede for Dr Nasir Gawuna, seeking divine intervention in the pursuit of reclaiming his mandate. Honourable Seyi urged attendees to persevere in prayer until victory is secured and cautioned against potential interference, notably mentioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the need to remain unaffected by NNPP propaganda aiming to undermine the APC administration.

Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law, Honourable Seyi emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring justice. He encouraged them to remain vigilant until justice is unequivocally served, highlighting the commitment to a fair and impartial legal process, free from external influences.

Addressing NNPP concerns about the legitimacy of the APC victory, Honourable Seyi reassured the public of the APC’s commitment to the democratic process. The call for prayers from the non-indigenous Christian community not only testifies to their faith but also demonstrates solidarity with Dr Nasir Gawuna.

The prayer conference also included appeals for peace and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria at large, emphasizing a broader vision for a united and flourishing nation. The collective hopes extend beyond the immediate political context, envisioning a Kano and Nigeria where peace prevails, prosperity thrives, and democratic principles are upheld.

Honourable Seyi Olorunsola’s call for a prayer conference reflects not just the intensity of the political situation in Kano but also underscores the significance of faith and unity during times of uncertainty.

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