How Ringim became Lamido’s candidate for governor

Although as at the last count four aspirants have purchased the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the governorship ticket of the party in Jigawa State, Governor Sule Lamido is believed to be favouring his immediate past Chief of Staff, Malam Aminu Ringim.
Ringim whose huge billboards now adorn most of the junctions in the state capital, Dutse, is said to be enjoying the backing of Governor Lamido and the entire PDP structure in the state to the chagrin of the other aspirants  who have started a protest against what they describe as deliberate attempt to give the party’s ticket to Ringim.
The three other aspirants are Abba Anas, Alhaji Danladi Auyo and Architect Ahmed Kani. They are all spoiling for a fight over what they term as lopsided delegate election in the state.
There are ranging views on why Lamido decided to support Ringim. While some of Lamido’s loyalists believe Ringim deserves it, others say he shouldn’t be the next in line.
State party chairman, Alhaji Mahmuda Kuit, who is a Lamido loyalist, told Daily Trust that Ringim is eminently qualified to be governor.
He said: “Ringim is a loyal party man who takes the party seriously. He attends all party functions at state, local government and ward levels and, as such, is qualified to vie for the position of governor.”
Ali Tukur Gantsa, the party secretary, who spoke with our correspondent said Ringim’s choice is Allah’s will.
He said: “The issue of Lamido anointing Rimgim is the will of Allah made possible through the instrumentality of the governor. We, as Muslims, believe that leadership is from God and He gives it to whoever he wills.”
On whether the choice of Aminu is to cover Lamido’s tracks since he has been part of the government in the last eight years, he said Lamido runs an open government and has nothing to hide.
“This is a government of the people and all projects executed are there for everybody to see. We don’t have anything to hide. Everybody, both within and outside the state, has acknowledged the uncommon transformation witnessed in Jigawa in the last eight years.
“The choice of Aminu is for the continuation of the Lamido legacy of achievements. Aminu is a grassroots politician and a party man. We don’t recognise those other three who bought forms because they are Abuja politicians. We will only support a candidate that lives in Jigawa and knows the problems of Jigawa and not people who live in Abuja and Kano but peep into the state once in a while.”
He said those who alleged that Lamido gave money to Aminu to buy forms have also benefited from Lamido’s financial assistance in the past.
One of the aspirants, Abba Anas, who spoke on behalf of the three other aspirants , however disagreed with the endorsement of Ringim.
He said the process of the last congress to elect delegates  was manipulated to favour Ringim while shutting out others.
“I am very surprised that we are being referred to as Abuja politicians. They are saying so because we have refused to be their lapdogs and yes men. I was PDP state Secretary before 2007 when I contested and won the House of Reps. We are the ones who even screened the documents of all candidates, including Lamido. We contested election at the same time with Lamido in 2007 and so there is no way he could have given me money.
“In fact, if Lamido has forgotten When Aminu Ringim was Chief of Staff to Saminu Turaki, their government sent thugs to tear gas us in a PDP meeting then. Even Ali Gantsa was at that meeting. We are the original members of the PDP in Jigawa not people like Ringim who joined later.”
Anas said their grouse is that a lot of impunity is going on in Jigawa, adding: “There is no level playing field at all. A situation where the governor gave a candidate money to buy form, directed commissioners , party chairmen, state party executive members and other stakeholders to follow an aspirant in a chattered flight to go and buy and return his form clearly shows partisanship. That is why they cornered the delegates for Ringim. We have petitioned the party headquarters and we are waiting for their reply.”
He said it is only in Jigawa that the seat of  governor, House of Representatives members and Senate are zoned to the same local government out of the 27 local governments in the state, explaining  that such an action will affect the party in the state
Ringim has been a political ally of Lamido since their PRP days in the 70s and has been in the corridors of power since 1992 during the time of Governor Ali Sa’ad Birnin-Kudu. Having served Lamido as Chief of Staff for eight years, it is believed that Ringim must have understudied the governor and won the confidence of his boss to continue from where he stops.
Born in Feburary 2, 1956, Ringim attended Katutu Primary School in Ringim before proceeding to Teachers College Maigatari for his grade 11 teachers certificate. He was at various times class teacher and Headmaster in Dan Makeri and Kwalam Village. Ringim also hold a diploma in Mass Communication.
He joined active politics in 1978 under the PRP where he was elected member of House of Representatives in 1983. He was a member of PF in 1992 and later SDP. He was Jigawa State chairman of UNCP in 1995. He was appointed commissioner of risk management under governor Turaki and later appointed chairman, Jigawa Independent Electoral Commission (JISIEC).
From 2003-2007 he was appointed as Chief of Staff to Saminu Turaki. Ringim was also the Campaign Director for Yar’adua /Jonathan in 2007 and Campaign Director,Jonathan/Sambo 2011.
He Has been Chief of Staff to Governor Lamido since 2007 until his resignation to contest the governorship seat recently.