Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was once a presidential aspirant under the leading opposition party, PDP, and also served in the two houses of the National Assembly. The holder of at least four degrees has recently declared his intention to contest for Kaduna State governorship in the forthcoming elections. In an interview with Trust TV, he discussed his political sojourn and why he’s eyeing the top seat of his state. Daily Trust monitored the interview. Excerpt:
I was curious when I saw that you’d four different degrees. Why did you decide to do two different master’s degrees; one in Economics, another in Business Administration? Were you just keen on academics or just some personal interest?
Let’s call it providence. I did have some issues in my third and fourth year and I was very poor in accounting but I was okay in Economics and not so satisfied, and I was meant to go and do a master’s degree abroad. They wanted me to improve immediately so I went back to the same department that remedied by saying the only best thing they could help me out with was to give me a master’s degree which then I was qualified for. Quickly I did the master’s degree, and I got the other one that said I was research inclined, and they supported my proposal and then I did the PhD. So it’s pure providence.
So, why are you not in academia?
I’m partly in academia.
But you don’t lecture.
I don’t lecture because when you’re the owner of the university you’ll have a conflict of interest when you’re lecturing. Now they said with my specialties in research, I could handle PhD projects but I decided not to, simply because I’m over-sighting those who’re lecturing and doing the researches. Remember as chairman of council, council is over-sighting and controlling the senate as well; that’s purely the reason. And national issues have been more than overwhelming. Running a university is more than enough of a headache and I’ve never allowed half measures in academics.
You seem to be a very deliberate person; did you from the beginning set out to establish your own university or did you’ve it in a distant dream or was it just a pure accident after leaving the National Assembly you decided to give it a try?
It’s never an accident. When I was about to finish my MBA in Cardiff, Wales, 1996, I saw the difference in terms of cost, resources, personnel, infrastructure, content, attitude and patronage between the MSc I just completed in 1995 and the MBA I completed in 1996.
Both in the same university?
No, no! MSc in Maiduguri and MBA in Cardiff. And knowing how capable Nigerians are, I’d that dream. So, I kept that dream around 1999 and 2000. I began putting my feasibility studies, research collection and the building up. Until 2007 when I saw what I never thought could happen. You know the way I lost the elections with clean results in hand like never before; they took it away and I thought, well, the justice system is there. I went to the justice system which I don’t want to talk about.
But I thought the real politicians say always ensure that you win first; then let the judiciary do its…
Point of correction! I know it’s not in my interest. I’ve been saying this but I’m not your typical Nigerian politician and I’d never allowed myself to be categorised as such.
So, what type were you then?
I’m just a normal Nigerian citizen by character, by undertakings, by creation and nature. I’ve never been a politician. I’m doing politics all the way to become a presidential aspirant simply because Nigeria needs people like me. We can’t just sit down and see people … weren’t happy with rulers. I don’t want to use those languages. But it’s our duty even to go into politics.
So, let’s talk about your politics. I mean you were elected into the House of Reps, then you went to the Senate and then you even attempted to go into the Villa. How has it been and what triggered you to contest?
Whenever I see a divergence between promises and the results, I get worried. There’s a serious divergence between the announcements in 1999 and the things that were happening up till 2002 when I decided to join. Simply put; one, it’s the divergence; the difference between what your Nigerian politicians tell the world as it happened in 2014-15 and what they achieved.
You’re telling me that you went into politics because of what people were saying and doing were different. So what prompted you to get into politics?
Yeah, that’s point number one. Point number two, you see these people; just trace their character, histories and everything. You’ll find out that they’re into politics simply because they lack a job. They’re unemployable anywhere; they cannot do any business whatsoever and then they come into Nigerian politics and then they become the leaders of Nigeria. This is a very dangerous trend.
Did you make any difference yourself when you went there?
I can start telling you. Today all over Nigeria in all hospitals, victims of accidents and violent crimes are received in hospitals and treated because of the simple legislation I passed. I made the first attempt to pass a serious dent on corruption and after me, nobody did the anti-contract inflation bill in 2004. I leave that for you to answer.
Was it ever passed?
It was never passed. I left it to you to answer that. I also made an attempt to ensure prompt payment of all remunerations across both public and private lives. Everything I tell you the records are there. Nigeria is today a member of Islamic Development Bank simply because of a motion I passed. There are so many legislations; time wouldn’t permit me.
You beat a former governor of the state, Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi; how did you pull that out?
I’m very thorough and methodical in general elections and I won specifically the four proverbial kills despite all the money that was spent. I went straight for the win and by Allah’s grace I won. When we went into the collation centre around 9:45 in the morning; I’d beaten my good friend with 11,000 votes. By 6pm, they’d reduced it to the razor thing you’re talking about and if not for the intervention of the boss, I don’t have to tell you who. He called them and said look; declare who the winner is there right now. They’re just about to make the last deal. Well, we became friends when we’re aspirants in Port Harcourt. I still take him as a boss; I respect him and everything but what’s happened has happened. Nigerian politics is far less than satisfactory.
You later moved to PDP, a party that you’ve been always criticising?
Thank you very much for this good question! Now by definition, I have always been constantly in the leading opposition party, be it ANNP, CPC or PDP; and as far as I’m concerned, I’m still in the leading opposition party. When I joined in 2002, I’d every option of joining the then PDP. What you see as APC today is the then PDP. Buhari couldn’t win elections until those money bags.
But if the PDP becomes the ruling party, will you move to the opposition again?
No, no! I’m playing a role in bringing the PDP to the ruling party. If by God’s grace that happens, I’ll stay in PDP and ensure we deliver on our promises.
Are you considering another contest again?
I’m contesting for governorship this time in Kaduna State. I’ve decided to respect the so-called rotation. I don’t believe in it and I don’t like it but I’ll respect it.
At the state level, could there also be some zoning?
No, it’s in my favour because the last time my senatorial zone was given was 16 years ago; so it was going to central and south and now back to north. And the last time went to what we called the rural areas and now it’s time to urban areas, which is Zaria and Sabon Gari as compared to the other local governments. So, I’ve done my arithmetic well; that’s why I’m contesting for the governorship.
I’m very deliberate and it’s never by accident. I took two weeks praying to Almighty Allah to give me a new career.
So, who’s bankrolling it? Is it your own resources or are there some big gangs behind you?
Not a big gang and I’m not a big gang. Maybe the big artillery and the armoured tanks are the banks. When you have honour, when you’ve delivered on your promises, you will have the banks’ support. All they need is trust. I’m currently the most indebted operator of a university in Nigeria. I meant assets are there to vouch and they’re ever so willing to logically and prudently lend to us. I’d have very little equity, not too little; it’s reasonable. Even the house I live in is mortgaged without allowing my family to know.
When I started this university business, I didn’t have a single thing called shares to my name. I never changed a single car until it got started. I was ready to devote everything to this cause.
By Mannir Dan Ali and Transcribed by Dalhatu Liman
