Yobe, ANPP and true reconciliation

With the case now put behind, the governor who is also the leader of the party, has the enormous challenge of managing the success for the party’s growth and his personal political ambition. While urging every member of the party to forget the differences, he pledged to constitute a high powered committee of prominent and respectable leaders to embark on reconciliation programme. This wisdom was supported by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and the Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Usman Adamu, who both solicited a true and genuine reconciliation to rebuild the party.

The speaker explicitly pointed out the evil efforts of some elements within the government displaying open hatred to a true reconciliation to re-unite the party. In real terms, they are not just enemies of the party but stumbling blocks to the political ambition of Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam. Such elements must never be trusted with the task of reconciliation.

There is no denying the fact that, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam needs the support of all and if possible, a free opposition electioneering atmosphere to achieve his 2011 ambition. This feat is quite feasible if a genuine reconciliation is put in place where every member is given a true sense of belonging.

Based on the Speaker’s wise counselling, it is expediently beneficial for Governor Ibrahim Gaidam to personally initiate contacts with Senator Albishir, principal public officers and other key stakeholders of the party. This is what leadership entails. After all, Gaidam, the aggrieved, the party and the state all have so much to gain from such a reconciliation.

One obvious development emerging from the party is the army of commissioners and special advisers seeking elective offices to the state and national assemblies. The danger here is that, not all aspiring commissioners may realize their political ambitions and, the losers may eventually turn back to smear the governor, engage in protest vote and anti party activities to frustrate his 2011 ambition.

It is a known fact that some political parties are courting members of the Albishir camp. However, I want to remind us that the ANPP was formed and nurtured in the state by the combined efforts of both  Gaidam and Albishir camps. Therefore, remaining in the party is better for the purpose of unity and development of Yobe.

The unpretentious and legitimate advice anyone could give the governor is to avoid a winner-takes-all syndrome in aspiration for public offices in 2011, otherwise, the much touted ‘no victor, no vanquished’ he proclaimed will be an illusion.

There are people like Senator Ahmad Lawan who have distinguished themselves in the senate and done ANPP and Yobe proud. He has all the while maintained a civil, cultured and respectful stance. His support for Senator Albishir throughout the period of contest for the governorship and legal process was total and undiluted knowing well that Senator Albishir was merely pursuing a legitimate and constitutional right while the government had equal right of defence and response.

It will be intelligent and judicious of the governor to segment elective offices across the party membership. In fact, the party should consider conceding some offices to those reconciled with for a true reconciliation and sense of belonging.

The speech made by the governor quoting Sir Ahmadu Bello, “Here in Northern Nigeria, we have people of many different races, tribes and religions who are knit together to a common history, common interest and common ideas, the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us” is quite applicable to the situation in ANPP and Yobe as we look forward to its actual application.

While the governor offers the olive branch, all party members should remember that the court case is finally over. Therefore, ANPP in Yobe has its leadership in Governor Ibrahim Gaidam. All members should pay allegiance and loyalty to his leadership. The hitherto parallel leadership must cease to exist and this will foster unity, strengthen the party to make it unbeatable in 2011 and beyond “so that our children will inherit the party in the next 100 years,” according to Speaker, Alhaji Usman Adamu.

Baba Ari wrote from No 12, Gashua Road, Damaturu, Yobe State, [email protected]