Aftermath ANPP election and Buhari

Aftermath ANPP election and Buhari's Comment

Sani Garba Mohammed

The election of the national leadership of ANPP has been conducted recently in Abuja. Before the election many commentators and prophets of doom were of the view that the congress is bound to fail, alas, it fails to. Before the election there is intra party squabbles over who controls the party between the duo of Buhari and governors. Candidates declare for the national leadership of chairman in the persons of, George Moghalu, John Oyegun and Edwin Umeh, the last entrant was Mike Ahamba. Later, before the election, a position was reached the position of national chairman be zoned to South-East, which automatically disqualifies Oyegun from South-South. As such, the position was contested between Mike Ahamba and Edwin Umeh after withdrawing of Gerge Moghalu from the race as a result of party elders intervention.

Those of us that shared the vision and ideologies of Buhari decided to support Mike Ahamba as national chairman and Buba Galadima as national secretary, which at the end of the election none of them make it. This does not meant we are defeated to make it, but just a democracy in action, as such nothing a person can do, hence the election is free and fair, notwithstanding the open control governors weilds on the party. But what shocked me is the comment {with due respect} of my leader and mentor-General Buhari that the election is marred with irregularity and rigging which was perpetrated within Kano states delegates. The statement did not go well with me, for I am sure, no any Kano delegates will allow rigging to take place in his presence, and precisely against Buhari to allow it hook, line and sinker without raising any eyebrow, perhaps the General got the information wrongly or his source was not fair to Kano state delegates.

What is even flabbergasting is how comes can rigging took place when the numbers of delegates representing each state is known and cannot be increase, which does not take place in any state but only Kano state. Even if all Kano state delegates were added to Mike Ahamba in the total number of votes he got, it could not make any difference, for, the margin between Ahamba and Edwin is wide,as such, I doubt if rigging ever take place in Kano delegates. It is too early for Buhari to comment on the election without juxtaposing what really happens within Kano state delegates and the implication the comment will generate and how the new leadership will recieved it, considering he is a party member which sworn to follow its rules and regulations.

When neither Mike Ahamba nor Buba Galadima, and even Victor Malu makes it, I was very sad to the last point, at last I had to obey the outcome of the election willy nilly, notwithstanding the new leadership is being linked with Bukar Ibrahim of Yobe and other governors at large.

Whatever it is, the most indisputable fact is that, ANPP without Buhari is like a car without driver and passengers, so whether the current leaders are anti Buhari or not,it is too early to judge, let us give them the benefit of doubts. If the party is ever ready in clinching the top most position of the land in 2007, there is no better candidates than Buhari no matter what. His integrity, competent ency, Prudence, technical know how stands for him, which I am sure neither Ahmad Sani nor Bukar Abba, talk less of Bashir Tofa can match him. So to me losing election does not mean the ends of our vision and mission, but another turning point to continue with what we have been doing. Aminu Kano of blessed memory did not becomes president, yet his ideals are still with us, though not in practise, but he is the man everybody is proud to be associated with. If at last the party does not need Buhari we can reach where we can be welcome and become relevant.

Lastly, I want assure the General, Kano delegates did not in anyway gives room for rigging to be carried out, and will never be a party to those against you. More so, even if they did not vote your {our} candidates, it is their inalienable rights, for in politics there is no permanent friend but permanent interest, let them have their way, and we have our say. But for me, you are still my hope and the person I can lend my support to. This is my candid view based on how I see things, I stand to be corrected.
We stand by you always, as we prepare to continue enduring the pains and trauma of the current state of affairs, till we reach the promise land, no matter the odds and how long it will takes us to. The struggle continua!! May Allah help us, Amin.