By Yahaya Sarki
From time immemoriaL, there has always been the need to have leaders in any society, group of people , community, society or nations. The form or type of leadership may however vary. However, the commonest and the most globally acceptable form of leadership is democracy.
Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is the widely accepted definition of democracy
globally.In it, the will of the people is sancrosant .
Any form or type of leadership short or devoid of democracy is now detested and vehemently rejected by well-meaning individuals, societies and nations at
large. Democracy is indeed the darling of all across the globe.
In fact, in Nigeria, it is a happy story from 1999 to date. Nigeria is
no longer the Pariah nation that it used to be in the comity of
African nations and the world.
This was then due to the recurring
invasive and debilitating military incursions into democratic
government and the subsequent trampling on all democratic
institutions.In fact, it is now 23 good years that Nigeria has been
steadily and successfully on the democratic train.
It is also glaringly clear that all the political parties, including
the two giant ones, the APC and the PDP, have for the past few months
engaged in various internal processes, ranging from various
congresses, party primaries and conventions.
Be that as it may, some of the Nigerians who are aspiring to occupy the various elective positions have been so active. This is so at the various tiers in the country. Many personalities have been actively engaged, in this direction, across the country. That is, at the local, state and federal levels.
However, it is noteworthy here that, while some of the aspirants were
jostling for the contest in the various political parties to get
nominated, some others are being wooed by their teeming number of
uncountable admirers and supporters within their own political parties and even from without.
It is therefore incumbent to say that Nigeria is yet again on the verge of another successful civilian to civilian transition programme anchored and presided by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria ( INEC). This is evident by a myriad of activities across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. Indeed, the political atmosphere has already been fully charged for action.
This trajectory is also prevalent in Kebbi State. All the political parties, especially the two leading ones, the APC and the PDP have been conducting a retinue of activities in line with the laid down timetable and regulations set out by INEC, the parties’ constitutions and the Electoral Act.
Particularly speaking, the All Progressives Congress ( APC) had successfully conducted its ward, local governments and state congresses. The party in the state had also penultimate week conducted its various primary elections and happily elected all its flag bearers at the various levels. They included: Candidates for the State House Of Assembly, Gubernatorial and National Assembly. The exercise was indeed smooth and transparent.
Most remarkable and notable among those candidates were the gubernatorial ticket that was clinched by the National President of the NUT and Deputy National President, NLC, Dr Nasiru Idris, Kauran Gwandu and the emergence of the incumbent Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu,as the flag bearer for Kebbi Central Senatorial District.
It is noteworthy here that history is repeating itself as Bagudu, will in Sha Allahu go to the Senate for the third time. Governor Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum has just ousted the incumbent Senator representing the zone and a former Governor of the State, Alhaji Muhammadu Adamu Aliero.
This is certainly a no mean feat by the people oriented Bagudu whose second and third names are workaholic .
Bagudu, also a former Senator, edged out Aliero at the party senatorial primary election conducted in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, May 28, 2022, by garnering 445 votes, indeed all the votes cast by all the delegates who participated in the primary polls. What a remarkable way to repose more confidence in the person of the two-term Governor of the state.
In his acceptance speech, an elated Bagudu expressed delight that the exercise that was conducted simultaneously across Nigeria went on peacefully and transparently in the state.
He also happily recalled that Thursday’s APC Gubernatorial primary election in the state was also peaceful, fair, and transparent. The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum lauded the electorates for their humility, doggedness and understanding.
“I have accepted the nomination in good faith and I will provide quality representation, as ever.
“This is sequel to the request by the stakeholders of the party in the Constituency for me to contest the seat, penultimate week. “They had then also done the same for the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
“We are both divinely reminded that power comes from the Almighty Allah. ” Little did we know that the AGF will answer a higher call from our Father, President Muhammadu Buhari. “For that reason therefore, he did not present himself for the nomination.”
Bagudu also recalled that he had won a similar ticket in 2006, but had to relinquish it to Aliero, because of the ANPP/PDP merger then. He said, “that was in order to accommodate Aliero who had then just joined the PDP and he was given the ticket. “We are for peace and the people and we will never relent in doing this for posterity to positively remember us.
Bagudu averred he had done well for Nigeria and the progressive trajectory would be sustained. He urged the members of the party to continue to mobilize new members, as well as reconcile all aggrieved party faithfuls. Bagudu commended the delegates, stakeholders, members, the election committee officials, press, security agencies, INEC and other agencies for ensuring the successful conduct of the exercise.
Another epoch-making political phenomenon in the most recent political history of the Kebbi State was the emergence of Dr. Nasiru Idris, Kauran Gwandu as the Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),in Kebbi State.
In his acceptance speech also, the Kauran Gwandu, a Veteran Educationist and Iconic Public Administrator said that his nomination is a big call to service.
“To lead is a trust and a challenge, both before man and God,” the APC flag hearer said on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi. Idris said what happened was a manifestation of the Almighty God’s plans for him and Kebbi State.
He said that with his election , the members of the party in the state had demonstrated their desire for the search for greatness, progress and development. He added:”This is through our formidable party, with all the citizens as passengers and myself as a careful driver.
“I have accepted the nomination as a loyal and faithful flag bearer of APC.
“My choice has humbled me deeply. I am certainly not the most qualified to lead.
“Everyone in the race was qualified,but God has decided to place the enormous responsibility on my shoulders. “And I accept with the highest sense of responsibility and commitment.”
The APC candidate urged all to join him in prayers for guidance, strength and protection.
The Kauran Gwandu also promised to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by God and the good people of the state.
He however said that he is challenged by the greatness and personality of Governor Atiku Bagudu, whom he is tipped to succeed, Insha Allahu. According to him, Bagudu had written his name in gold, by his achievements and reach, in Kebbi state and Nigeria,at large. While promising to emulate Bagudu, Idris also pledged to treat all citizens as one.
Also speaking, Bagudu recalled how the flag bearer had hitherto withdrawn his ambition, penultimate week. “Little did he know that that humility would pay off to be where he is today.
Bagudu vowed that Kebbi state will continue to stand out amongst the states in the country, just as it will continue to be a pacesetter and a trail blazer.
While reiterating that power comes from God, the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum added that the party has recorded tremendous tangible achievements ,both at the national and states’ levels, in spite of challenges. He pledged that the state’s and Nigeria’s trajectories to greatness would be sustained.
“We pray that this choice will lead us to success,” Bagudu added, extolling the contributions of all the stakeholders, leaders, members, delegates and supporters, among others.
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Muhammadu Magoro ,lauded Bagudu for making the resources available to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise. According to him, the committee sent from the APC national headquarters to oversee the exercise had diligently done so.
In fact, with the emergence of Governor Bagudu, Idris and several other APC bigwigs as candidates, Kebbi State is again on the march to more greatness, and or better put, the consolidation of the numerous achievements of Bagudu and his abled lieutenants.
With the successful emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as APC’s Presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections, again, the Progressives Governors’Forum Chairman, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was full of praises from President Muhamadu Buhari for his extraordinary role he played in ensuring the successful conducut of the just-concluded , APC Special National Convention .
The President has also described the presidential primary as one of the most competitive and peaceful in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.
The President extolled the invaluable efforts of Senator Bagudu in a letter addressed to the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum.
President Buhari particularly commended the role played by Bagudu as the Chairman Election Planning Committee in ensuring the success of the primary election that produced the standard-bearer of the party in the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As the indefatigable Governor is saddled by his party with yet another task to take the APC to victory in the June 18 Ekiti Governorship election, the Progressives Governors’Forum Chairman has assured that the party would cruised to victory by the grace of Almighty Allah.
When asked by a journalist at a media parley in Birnin Kebbi to mark Democracy Day on June 12,
‘ Why is it that any assignment you are given or you plan to carry out, you end up suceeding ? ‘,
Governor Bagudu simply replied ‘ I believe victory comes from God and what God has destined me to achieve, no mortal can change it ‘.
Yahaya Sarki
(S.A MEDIA) to Kebbi State Governor
