By Adamu Usman
It has been reported in the media that there is a cold war going on in Jigawa state between Governor Sule Lamido and ex-governor, Saminu Turaki. Well, left to many observers in or outside the state, the launch of Saminiyyah movement or any political activity by anyone, i repeat anyone in Jigawa cannot intimidate, shake or sacred the Jigawa people for the trust, love, confidence and loyalty they have for Sule Lamido. When Sule Lamido came to power in 2007 Jigawa was at the peak of political, social, economic and even mental degeneration. But within a short time he has restored a new social life for the people by providing almost all the necessary developmental facilities that change the social, economical and mental thinking of the people of the state.
A few days to his administration, Jigawa was sunk in stupendous financial recklessness and moral ineptitude that people began to wonder whether the state was governed by a sane person. You cannot imagine seeing the condition of our schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructures at that time. It was with the intervention of the EFCC that some of the stolen monies were recovered and other investments regained. But even EFCC, ICPC and other financial sensitization agencies cannot quantify the level of embezzlement and damage done by the rampaging governor.
He was first arraigned by the EFCC before a high court of the Federal Capital Territory in 2007 on a 32 count charge of misappropriating over N36 billion. When he came back to his senses at the newly commissioned Kuje Prison, he was crying profusely to the bewilderment of the staggering spectators who were there to see the rogue. It was then I appreciated and commended the courage and sincerity of Hon. Farouq Adamu Aliyu who was there to condole/sympathize with him and pleaded with him to stop crying. But Aliyu was blunt enough to tell the incarcerate ex-governor, the home truth that “You are the architect of your predicaments” Some people opine or orate that, all that happened in the immediate past administration was caused by the ill-advice of his lieutenants.
Also, the false acclaimed projects by Saminu Turaki that, he initiated the Hadejia sugar processing company, Gumel flour mills company, and Burnin-Kudu Dairy processing company etc is not true either. They were initiated by a Jigawa military ruler, i think Col Ibrahim Aliyu between 1993 and 1996 not him perse! There were about 3 governor between them. It is in record that, Alhaji Daudu Saleh, the Sarkin Fulaanin of Hadejia and Yamusa among others were among the committee members then. The people of Jigawa have suffered seriously in those barbaric days and now the equation has changed, because we are now reaping the benefits/dividends of democracy. Now that Lamido has put in place the most democratic legacy, the entire political aura in the state of hysteria as to who will succeed the most successful governor ever produced by the state in its over twenty years of existence.
The gossips, the political analysts and the entire populace are convinced that the political gladiators in the state cannot produce a match to Lamido in terms of his credentials and achievements. This is a must believe, because the man Lamido is the most experience politician in the region if not in the country without mincing words, this is by virtue of the roles he played in various political parties in his life as a career politician from Nidus to his present stage, followed by his working experience in the government circle. And don’t forget that his political association with political heavy weights across the globe is his political asset that cannot be matched at least with any person in Jigawa state, now and possibly in the next decades to come. For someone to claimed that he is the father of PDP, so, Lamido is the grandfather of Jigawa politics not to talk of PDP.
But with all these, his critics may the temerity to see things otherwise. Sule is to such people arrogant and unforgiving political emperor. Well, that is their own understanding of the person, but the fact remains that Sule is undeniably a people’s governor who has succeeded in making positive impact on our lives. Sule was absolutely radical and knew no fear (plucky). He don’t believe in simplicity and wouldn’t want to be cowed in any situation. Lamido was never a conservative element. Conservative here is taken as oppose to radicalism. Apart from his religious leaning I have never seen his conservative nature. As the one who has been following his political activities since 80th, i once heard from his political disciple, Jibrin Yusuf (Karlmax) as he says, they used to call him Sarki Sule behind his eyes in those days and as his disciples/adherents, they know what they are saying. There were some words/names attributed to him, these are words that best describe his radical nature or tendencies in those days, because he bulldoze and crush anybody or thing that comes his way. But Lamido is now a relatively changed person. May be because of the enormous burden of leadership, old age and other things. Even as I am talking now I have seen so many changes in his personality compared to what I know of him several years back. Now there is less than two years for Lamido to leave the stewardship of the state.
Lamido will leave office in 2015 with his experience, foresight, oversight and of course the wisdom of old age, who is to succeed him? That is the crucial and the biggest question in Jigawa politics coming up any time from now. Imposing candidate may not be the criteria based on Lamido’s political ideologies. Sule’s assertion that, by August the candidate may emerge and that process will carry all the people along in this decision. Some people may not want to see a vigorous person who can hold the tempo in which the present administration tackles issues of development.
But how this will happen depends entirely on Sule Lamido as far as PDP is concerned, and for APC one cannot predict as the party is not yet on the ground to assess its activities. Sule Lamido is regarded as the strongest man in Jigawa politics will do everything possible to see a good and legitimate person emerge. Lamido should be commended, appreciated as the best administrator Jigawa ever had, an ancestor of politics and he should be given a breathing space because he has made a lot of sacrifices for Jigawa and the country at large. His contributions have re-united and re-awakened Nigeria which can never be quantified. If not because of Lamido and time heals who are they to come and talk about Jigawa? Please! You cannot solve our problems with the same thinking and approach you used when you created them. The day is break in Jigawa.
Adamu Muhd Usman is Special Adviser on Media to Jigawa state governor.
