It may come as a surprise to many of my readers that this column will soon be no more. As a matter of fact, this is the very last article my readers will read here as the column itself will be discontinued afterwards.
Why?
No, I have not been kicked out by the Daily Trust authorities as some may come to think. Neither will it be because of some disagreement necessitating my decision to quit writing this column as a result.
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The decision to rest this column is mine alone and it is down to two major reasons.
The first is as some of my readers may have come to know, having joined the train of partisan politicking, for ethical and professional reasons, it behoves me to stop writing this column since I am now on the other side of the divide.
In taking this decision I took into account the fact that continuing with the column at the same time as being involved in partisan politics will cast negatively on Daily Trust. On my account, the newspaper will lay itself open to the accusation of allowing one of its columnists to use its pages for partisan politics when it is expected to be fair to all shades of political opinion. Needless to say that doing this will be both unprofessional and unethical on my part.
The second reason is that having now jumped fully into the fray of politics, I need to devote full, undivided attention to the task ahead. And as we all know too well, there is probably nothing more tasking than being involved in politics. Combining partisan political involvement with the equally tasking demands of journalism is, to say the least, daunting.
So as one cannot possibly wear two caps at the same time in this regard, the better to drop one and keep the other.
In the past couple of years that this column has been on, we have tried to tackle issues as varied as human endeavour covers; politics, diplomacy, economics etc. We have done this without holding prisoners and not being mealy-mouthed about it using cutting-edge analysis, as the column is named, all in advancing the national interest of our dear country, Nigeria.
Having talked and written on all these areas, especially as pertains to the general condition of things in Nigeria, it is time to walk the talk.
In my own case, I am in the race for the senatorial seat of southern Taraba. The current occupant of the position who is in his third term has opted to run for governor of the state. I am running on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
I am not alone in the race as the incumbent governor as well as a serving member of the House of Representatives have both signified interest in the position.
As the saying goes; politics is local and I have decided that the best place to start walking the talk in partisan politics is where my roots are. Recently, I had undertaken an introductory visit to some of the wards and local government areas of the zone. It has been tales of woe, neglect and near hopelessness.
Those readers of mine who want to re-connect with me and follow my political journey to the Senate can join me as I traverse the length and breadth of the zone as the people of the area exercise their desire to change the current narrative of pain, lack of attention and care which has been their lot for quite some time now.
The journey will certainly not be easy by any means.
First of all, I am coming up against a pair of well-entrenched political personalities who have a head start in the power stakes; money, influence and network.
But I am undaunted.
My chief weapon is that having endured so much pain, the people of Taraba and especially the southern zone are tired and need a change. In my discussions with stakeholders of the area, they are willing to do what is legally and legitimately necessary to change the situation. The folks out there cannot wait for 2023 to come and exercise their right to change their fortunes for the better. And in me they see somebody to entrust the leadership of that desire for change and for effective representation come 2023.
In this regard, I cannot but hearken to their wishes as a bona fide son of the area. Trusting in God we hope to effect that necessary change in southern Taraba and indeed Taraba as a whole.
Although the voters and voting will be done by eligible voters of southern Taraba, Nigerians at large should pay attention and be vigilant on what transpires in the southern Taraba senatorial race. This race has the potential to eventually slay the dragon of self-entitlement by which governors in the country arrogate to themselves the right to retire to the Senate after their tenures. Nigerians across the board have been speaking out against this ugly trend and as happened in some states.
To my colleagues and friends in the media and civil society organisations, what other incentive do you need to actively monitor and cover this potentially epoch-making event?
My dear readers can now see why I have to painfully rest this column in order to be part of this moving political train by my kindred with me playing my part actively.
My sincere thanks go to the Daily Trust for giving me the opportunity to dialogue with my fellow Nigerians on issues that affect us through this column. I wish also to thank all my readers for their encouraging comments and feedback on my articles. I cherish their contributions and especially their constructive suggestions which helped to deepen and enlightened the dialogue on this column which now comes to an end.
