Hafsat Iliyasu
My interest in the Jigawa state project can be traced back to when the state was curved-out from the old Kano state in August 1991. At that point in time, I was about to graduate from Bayero University Kano with Honors in one of the social science subjects.
Meanwhile, this major policy pronouncement by Gen. Babangida regime elicited the passion on me to support the newly created state for two simple reasons. First is that owing to the fact that my state Kano has been a one city state since its creation in May 1967, there was an urgent need to expand development spaces by creating other urban cities and also reduce the bureaucracy that was becoming over-bloated at that time. Secondly, the modernization theory which was a topic in one of the courses we were studying in the class can now be practically observed, i.e., when traditionally agricultural based societies can be transformed to modern settings with infrastructure, sustainable growth and other development strides.
I feel inwardly satisfied that the vision I aligned with since my undergraduate days has impacted positively on the lives of the people in the state. Such that within 35 years of its creation, the state has recorded unparalleled developments in most spheres of live, like its elder sister state, splashing established institutions, recording improvements in major critical sector like education, agriculture and health, also the presence of federal/security establishments, robust housing programs and essentially the elevation of Dutse town to a mega urban center attracting migration from different states of the nation. That is not to talk about the existence of 5 Emirates of Hadejia, Kazaure, Dutse, Ringim and Gumel, which naturally added to its towering status as one of the vibrant and interesting states in Nigeria. Such achievements were recorded by a combination of past military/civilian Administrations that have devoted considerable resources and human capital investment to see that the state has done well amongst its pairs.
To me the 2027 Gubernatorial election in the state is going to be more exciting, challenging and exceedingly difficult than even Kano, Lagos, Katsina and other flash point states with the exception of Rivers and Kaduna. What I meant is that, in Kano and Lagos states, there seems to be a consistent pattern of voting behavior, with Kwankwaso as a dominant political force in Kano barring any unforeseen interference like in 2019, the outcome of election in Kano is always predictable in favor of Kwankwaso while President Tinubu is another dominant actor in Lagos state since the return of democracy in 1999.
My professional contact and studies have shown that the ruling APC in Jigawa state has so far failed to meet the expectations and yannings of the electorates in the last 3 years despite huge resources allocated to it from the federal coffers. For instance, the Government withheld funds meant for the 27 local Government areas thereby depriving the populace from getting quality services for at least 5 to 6 months. This is also not to take into consideration how the morale of the workers in the state are declining everyday especially with stoppage of promotion, transfers, annual increment on grade levels and steps and other welfare packages. The overhead cost meant for the day to day running of the MDAs is just peanuts and has never increased despite rising inflation and a bad economy. Consequently, senior civil servants most of the time had to resort to buying office stationaries from their personal resources to ensure that routine activities of the MDAs were not hamstrung.
In the agricultural sector, there is apparent confusion, policy inconsistencies or required synergy between farmers on one hand and Government/Donor Agencies on the other hand, in most of the agricultural programs being executed in the state. This naturally affects farming especially on the issue of subsidies on fertilizer and procurement of other agricultural implements that would enhance food production. The health sector is facing similar challenges with decimal supply of modern health equipment and first-aid to cater adequately for the patients who are trooping in and out hospitals seeking for relief throughout the state. Although new hospitals were built in all the local government headquarters, a lot of them were not commissioned or equipped with modern facilities, professional personnel or laboratory reagents.
Added to these drawbacks, the Administration in the state isolated the role of the mainstream conventional media over its reluctance to forge strong bond with its members while carefully sidelining professionals appointed by them. It is lamentable that this important platform was previously utilized by Ali Sa’adu, Sule Lamido and to some extent Badaru Abubakar Administrations. In all the 3 former Administrations, public policies of the Government, balance editorial and accurate reporting were encouraged and enhanced as such informations were disseminated to the public at much ease. Unfortunately, the current Administration relied heavily on social media platforms that most of the times misrepresented, exaggerated and downplayed constructive criticism in a typically unethical and unprofessional manner. This is taking politics too far. Overall speaking, the people of the state are far worse in the last three years with the population more pauperized, demoralize and despondent. In no distant future if care is not taken, there could be a change in the mantle of leadership in the state.
Now coming back to the main theme of this write-up, the emergence and momentum of the ADC coalition may drastically alter the political and power equation in the 2027 gubernatorial elections. The coalition will definitely grab the opportunity to articulate better programs of actions that will alleviate the sufferings of the people of the state. Looking quietly at the personalities and trajectories of the coalition leadership, one could say without any hesitation that the coalition is blessed with experienced and tested politicians in their own right. For instance, all of them have the required qualifications, experience, and dexterity with a grass -roots network. For example, Mallam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim who recently decamped from the NNPP to ADC is a household name across the state and an offspring of Mallam Aminu Kano radical politics in the PRP days, he has been a Chief of staff for 16 years spread between Saminu Turaki and Sule Lamido Administrations. In fact, he is credited with the tremendous achievements recorded by the Administration in its 8 years in power. He is indeed a great mobilizer, a brilliant organizer and thorough-bread politician.
The next is Sen. Sabo Muhammad Nakudu from Birnin Kudu Local Government, he was both a former Member of House of Representatives and the Senate, a retired customs officer in the federal civil service and by all standards a successful business man. He has an extensive network of friends and business associates in the Nation’s public and private sector and therefore eminently qualified to govern the state in the next dispensation.
The next is Ahmed Kulkuli from Gumel local government, he was a two term Deputy Governor during Sule Lamido Administration, he is indeed a mature and committed bridge builder and tested politician in his own right. Therefore a good material to govern the state.
The next is Alh. Bashir Jumbo from Kazaure Local Government, he served for 16 years in the Federal House of Representative from 1999 to 2015, a very humble and generous person with extensive network in the nation’s political circle. He also poses the requisite to govern the state in the next dispensation. The last but not the least is Sen. Ubale Shitu, a one term former Deputy Governor in the state and former Senator from Hadejia local Government. He is also a radical, articulate and fearless personality who can lead the people of the state as well.
No doubt, the coalition if managed properly, it could upstage the current administration that is barring any betrayal, mistrust or unnecessary division amongst them, I believe that their coming together under one umbrella and forwarding one of them will be formidable in challenging the status quo and rescue the state from its appalling and trying conditions. Without any contradiction, the 2027 Gubernatorial elections in Jigawa state can only be compared to 2015 where there was a collective resolve by the people in using their voting power and installing a new Government. There is a high possibility of a repeat scenario in the next General elections come rain come shine.
In our journey through life, we shall all be aware and mindful of our individual and collective role to bring about positive and meaningful impact for the improvement of the lives of our brothers and sisters dwelling in both urban and rural communities. We shall therefore continue to participate in the Jigawa state project, while praying for its success in all respects
*Hafsat Iliyasu *_A freelance journalist based in Kano.