In life, sometimes certain things happen to trigger the best potentials out of someone. Allah has created us in many different ways beyond the ordinary and ordained us to abide by the rules, conventions and regulations of his injunctions. It is a high level insubordination to mock or ridicule someone’s pedigree on the basis of mundane worldly glitters, material accumulation of wealth or background affiliated to traditional strata in the society. It is also against the societal norms and expectations to mar someone’s reputation on the basis of personal bias and prejudice, or purely on the ground of religious or political differences. Perhaps, the politicisation of religion and ethnic affiliation has been gaining ground in contemporary Nigerian politics. To malign someone’s parental upbringing and financial incapacitation to buttress and underpin your total hatred and deference on someone’s personality, political orientation, affiliation and direction is not only detestable but a complete deviation from the norms of civility.
The manner at which the young and vibrant Kabiru Amadu, popularly called Mai Palace, a House of Representatives-elect (Gusau/Tsafe constituency) on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was underrated, ridiculed, intimidated and pushed over was unbecoming. His opponents practically abused and falsely accused him of wrongdoings, even on Facebook pages.
But despite all the attacks and accusations, his contemporaries and close confidents can testify to his gentility and simplicity.
Rather than get discouraged, Mai Palace unlocked his zeal, enthusiasm and perseverance to join in the political movement to reposition Zamfara State.
Mai Palace was not known to many people outside Gusau, the capital of the state until the commencement of his political sojourn and solo electioneering campaigns. He was born in Gusau, where he attended Tudun-Wada Model Primary School, Government Secondary School, Samaru and Sambo Secondary School. Thereafter, he attended the Zamfara College of Arts and Social Sciences and proceeded to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. He graduated with a second class degree in Mathematics and Statistics in 2014, after which he did his one year mandatory National Youth Service at the Federal College of Education, Zaria.
After youth service, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, a former minister of state for finance mentored him in active politics. He later registered for a postgraduate programme at the Department of Mathematics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Today, after several court cases, justice has been dispensed and injustice upturned and Mai Palace smiled home with a Certificate of Return as a representative of the people. The large crowd that shared in his victory is instructive and a pointer to the fact that he is a man of the people. It is also a clear indication of his fighting spirit and political competence and capacity.
Interestingly, his victory has not usurped his sense of humour and simplicity. Mai Palace is a young and energetic man of destiny. He does not allow his selfish interest to exceed his sense of judgement and becloud his sense of reasoning and responsibility. His friends all testify to his luck with destiny, which manifested right from his days as head-boy in Sambo Secondary School. His approach to complex issues then was brilliant. He accommodated people’s opinions and recommendations in sorting out complex matters. In fact, his classmates rated his performance high.
Also, Mai Palace’s respect for his superiors is legendary. During the campaigns, he went from door to door in Gusau metropolis, village to village and hamlet to hamlet, introducing his manifestoes to the people and convincing the locals to vote for him, even though he did not have money. Today, he is a member of the House of Representatives. He is a game changer in the political history and calculation of Zamfara State.
His victory is a great testimony to the untapped potentials of the youth in the politics of Zamfara State. He is a good example of political resilience and the essence of grassroots politics.
As he sets to represent his constituents, I wish him well.
Basmah wrote from Rijiyar Gabas, Tudun-Wada, Gusau, Zamfara State.
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