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Political Treachery: The Bafarawa Example By G. M. Muhammad
I am quite fascinated by a recent write-up by one Sahabi Garba entiltled ‘Political Treachery: The Bafarawa Example’ posted on the famous Gamji website. The write-up raises a number of issues regarding Nigeria’s political lanscape and its actors. More worrisome to the writer is the sudden dearth of men and women of principles and vision to move the nation forward. I share with him the need for reorientation by our political class to enable them imbibe the spirit, vision and virtues of such politicians and statesmen as Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Abafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mallam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and, of course, Muhammdu Buhari, among others. Truly, the story of each of them provides a source of inspiration and service to duty worth emulating.
I equally share the author’s view that the country’s political landscape is fast taking a dangerous outlook, as our politicians mostly think of themselves instead of striving towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the electorates. It is this dangerous trend, I suppose, that worries the writer of the said article. We share his concern for the intra-party conflicts in one of the Nigeria’s political party that is all out to salvage us considering the credibility of its presidential candidate.
However, while the first part of the article expresses our yearnings for upright political leadership capable of meeting our basic needs, the second part is dedicated towards lambasting the personality of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Dallatu Bafarawa. It is here the article lost its essence and appeal to readers.
At that junction, the writer opens up showing his outmost ignorance of the dynamics of politics and an acknowledgement that his is but a sponsored campaign of clumsy on the Governor he is all out to execute. The contract, however, is not even near done.
Based on this, therefore, it is advisable for the writer to first get acquainted with the very person of Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, reflect deeper into the history of his political life, his role in the formation and sustainability of All Nigeria Peoples Party, the emergence of Muhammdu Buhari as presidential candidte of the party and the transformations brought about in Sokoto state from 1999 to date.
For sure, the writer’s paymasters deliberately refused to furnish him with details on these issues in order to keep him in perpetual ignorance of the realities and to keep him in perpetual beggary as a sponsored columnist. Let the writer reflect on the issues he raises in the article once again after pondering over the assignment given to him in the proceeding paragraph.
Space will not allow me to narrate the political lifestyle of Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa. Suffice is to say, he is a determinist and man of vision. His tract records of success in both business and politics are well known. His emergence in the terrain of Sokoto State politics during the NRC/SDP era to his election as the State Governor in 1999 is a lesson for all of us as it teaches the virtues of diligence, hardwork, dedication and goal setting while at the same time serves as a source of worry for the lazy, arrogant and parasites who had desired their godfathers hijack the political plane for them. To the courage and ability of Bafarawa to politically crush and banish this self-acclaimed born-to-rule class, I say salute to dedication Garkuwa!
The author’s attempt to question the relationship between Bafarawa and IBB and Buhari is the most misleading aspect of his write-up. Times without number, the tri have been making it public that they have respect and understanding for each other. Has the author forgotten the Bafarawa’s tenure as Interim Chairman of ANPP and his role in both the emergence of Buhari as the Presidential candidate of the party in 2002 and the popularization of the party following its previous asunder?
The writer also seems to deliberately facts regarding the Bafarawa factor in Buhari’s popularity and acceptance in Sokoto state. I guess the writer did not witness the entry of Buhari’s campaign train to Sokoto in 2003. What a honour to our dear general!
To say that Bafarawa favours IBB to Buhari because he benefited in ‘IBB’s eight years of misrule which significantly boosted his economic status’ shows how ignorant the writer is in matters relating to the person of Bafarawa. It is an open secret that Bafarawa’s political and business life started right from the period of the 1978 transition and had established a successful business concern with large grassroots follower ship ever before IBB came to power. Where was IBB when Bafarawa won the hot race to Government House Sokoto in 1999? The success factor here is not his relationship with IBB but his mobilization strategy and appeal to the electorates who voluntary gave him the mandate to lead them.
Still, what difference does the writer thinks it makes for Bafarawa to support IBB who may likely contest under quiet a different party from Bafarawa’s as against his party’s candidate, Buhari? Considering our political set up, Bafarawa cannot deputise IBB. Then, which post could IBB offer Bafarawa that Buhari could not offer higher? The fact of the matter is that Bafarawa is not destroying the party he significantly helped form and popularize, but it is the deceit and confusion by people such as Sahabi Garba that are daily staged to not only bring Bafarawa down but to tear the party into pieces. God forbid.
As for Bafarawa’s political mastery and his ability to transform Sokoto State, enemies of progress must feel offended. The new shape the city of Sokoto has taken, the social infrastructures provided rural areas, youth empowerment schemes, up lifting our health and education sectors are quite amazing and detestable to the those are bent on reversing the wheel of progress. How I wish Sahabi Garba realize this!
His Excellency, my and our State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa should ignore this lost and hopeless class of political pundits and carry on with his developmental programmes. We, the masses are really feeling the positive impact.
Ba mu yi zaben tumun dare ba! Long Live Sokoto State.
G.M. MUHAMMAD OLD AIRPORT AREA SOKOTO |