It is with candor, strong disapproval and revulsion that I want to address the plethora of publications, advertorials and exchanges that have been going on between Bauchi State Governors supporters and supporters of federal legislators from Bauchi State, with the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara at the helm of affairs.
There are accusations from government sympathizers against the Speaker and his supporters of being Anti-APC, that to me is the height of invalid argument and there is no basis for the fact that, most of us left PDP at the gestation of the merger of parties that formed our great party today. Most of us were at the forefront of championing the party in our various constituencies, gathered grassroots support, funded and ensured that the party thrived despite the uphill challenges that confronted us then. The Speaker did well in his Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency, and we did ours.
When we started canvassing for members in our constituencies we recorded huge successes. Then the Governor was not an APC member, he came in about two months before the elections, and we gave him tremendous support, to win the Speakers Constituency and of course, Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency.
I can sound it very clearly that no one can testify in the APC that the Governor spent a dime in our campaigns or our efforts in making the party (APC) to be deeply rooted and accepted in Bauchi State. His expenditure stopped at his personal ambition to be a Governor at four hundred thousand naira per local government, multiplied by 20 local governments.
The problem with the governor started immediately after the inauguration, when he took a defensive position that, federal legislators are encroaching into his territory, for merely offering him advice because they want to serve as a bridge between him and the electorate. Before his inauguration some of his opponents questioned his credibility, including his dearest friend and protégé, our boss, former Governor Isa Yuguda. At that point we doubted it and will do our best to stop it from eroding further, if he will be a listening Governor.
The Governor felt threatened, for no apparent reason, the cultivation of political capital, which constitutes the stakeholders, electorate and political interest groups are the greatest asset a politician can have, but the Governor has become very possessive of his powers. Apart from the unfulfilled promises of milk and honey to delegates, other anomalies followed.
All we asked of him is to work with us at the grassroots. It is a shame that many in the corridors of power in Bauchi are not hardcore APC members. We were active members of the party from its formative stage to its maturation, committing ourselves totally to its success. Therefore we are averse to a situation where late comers are the major beneficiaries of state government apparatus. Mallam Isa Yuguda, who is a former Governor of the state, has what it takes to advise Governor Mohammed Abubakar. Like many of us he (Governor Abubakar) was a beneficiary of Mallam Yuguda’s goodwill, I am not an exception.
Whether the allegations are true or false, he (Mallam Isa Yuguda) should have rightly advised his acolyte, the Executive Governor to replicate a thing or two from his strategy of building bridges with legislators, and other key stakeholders. One of the reasons for his success was his ability to mend fences, manage and carry everybody along.
Our concern on the matter is the disconnect between the Governor, key stakeholders, the grassroots and various interest groups. You cannot be a leader when you are not in touch with the grassroots and other elected officials. You don’t need to look far to see and hear the woes of the people of Bauchi State.
No capital investment has been made so far, apart from the renovation of Government House and guest houses, which has no meaningful impact to the common man.
The questions that emanate from the bad situation leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, leaving legislators with huge personal expenditure for the electorate in terms of social support and services, which are the statutory responsibilities of the State and Local Governments.
The ongoing public demonstration of pensioners, public servants, teachers and artisans over verification exercise and the non-payment of salaries and pensions, is a key notice of failure of Government in Bauchi State. The protest at the Government House was alarming, and showed discontentment by the people of Bauchi State. This unhealthy turn of events will leave the people no choice, but to resolve and bring this conflict to an end, or we all suffer indeterminably.
As the PDP in the state is repositioning its strategies to win the 2019 elections, many of us feel we will not let the Governor to pull us (APC) back into the doldrums. The unfinished verification exercise of government employees is seriously affecting the credibility of the government. Mallam Isa Yuguda did the same thing about 2 years ago by not stopping salaries entirely, but went ahead with verification. Same is happening in Kaduna without the attendant hardship being experienced in Bauchi.
We will not want what happened in Rivers State 2011, to repeat itself to the APC in Bauchi State come 2019 elections.
The key to success in leadership include, but are not limited to, the ability of leaders to open communication channels and rally support among stakeholders. Character is a cocktail in the success drive of leaders by keeping promises to the electorate, stakeholders and political interest groups. Strategize, to organize the people to believe in him and to trust in him, this will go a long way in consolidating support for the leader. Unfortunately, there is absence of these elements at the level of leadership in Bauchi State. We the elected must work together with one voice ‘Save Bauchi State’.
Hon. Yerima is member House of Representatives, representing Misau/Dambam Constituency.
