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Yar’Adua, listen to Bauchi State citizens By Musa Tukur Usman Elections in Nigeria have come and gone and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the winner of the exercise, has assumed office. As expected, politicians across the country are scheming and strategising for one political appointment or the other. In the light of this President Yar’Adua, who has promised to run a listening government, should keep his ears open to what the people have to say. The people of Bauchi are not unaware of the fact the immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Ahmad Adamu Mu’azu, is warming up and positioning himself for one of such appointments. But if the wishes of the people are anything to go by, Bauchi needs someone else, and thank God PDP can boast of competent minds who can represent the state at the federal level in whatever capacity. No one is saying that Adamu Mu’azu did not perform as governor in the last eight years, far from it. His positive marks and giant strides in Bauchi State are there for all to see. But having him to represent Bauchi at this time will simply send the wrong message to the people and even PDP loyalists in the state. If you don’t get the import of this message, please read on. It is no longer news that Adamu Mu’azu failed the PDP in Bauchi State, which has been the party’s stronghold since 1999, in the last elections. Indeed, the governor could not even clinch a senatorial seat in a contest with a political neophyte. This is a clear vote of no confidence on the former governor who lost touch with the people in the twilight of his tenure. At a time when he supposed to use his good works and outstanding performances as a springboard to make firm his relationship with the people, he looked the other way. He forgot that followership in politics is built around the support and understanding of the people who, no matter what those in power think, decide their future. He failed to build a strong and reassuring relationship with the electorate. He deliberately starved the party machinery in the state which resulted in the party’s lukewarm campaign and poor outing in the elections. The governor was always away when his party needed his support. In one straight sentence: the former governor handled the last general elections poorly. How can same person now aspire to represent the same people that showed him in clear terms that they don’t want his representation even as a senator? If what Obasanjo said, that PDP will return to power in Bauchi by 2011, must be realised, the best thing for the new president to do is to appoint competent individuals who still command the respect of the people and the party to ministerial, ambassadorial and other federal positions, people who can hold the party together and start working for its success towards 2011, people who suffered due to the former governors growing unpopularity among Bauchi State citizens which started at the tail end of his administration. If we are to suggest a name, then certainly it is going to be Mohammed Nadada Umar, the party’s candidate in the 2007 gubernatorial elections. Mohammed Nadada Umar. Nadada, as popularly known by Bauchi people, deserves to be made a minister. This will enable him represent his people, hold the PDP together and position it for victory come 2011. We all know that Nadada performed excellently as SSG and will do same as minister. He has the support of the people and the party members in the state. President Yar'Adua should not appoint someone who has lost the people's sympathy as minister. Doing so will mean disrespecting the wishes of the people who traditionally have been supporters of the PDP as the last eight years have shown. All the president needs to resuscitate this friendship is to appoint someone who is close to the heart as minister, and the most qualified in that direction is Nadada. Even our immediate past governor, Ahmad Adamu Mu'azu, knows what Nadada can do and hence his support for his candidature in 2007. While some are gunning for ministerial positions believing it would serve as their reward for supporting Yar'Adua, Nadada should be given the slot from Bauchi because it will enable him serve us. This because he has shown through his antecedents that his ability to serve his people. Mr. President, you promised to be a listening person and we have no reason not to believe you. Prove to the people of Bauchi State that you respect their views and take them seriously. We have many people in the Bauchi State PDP who will succeed creditably well as ministers and ambassadors apart from the immediate past governor. We anticipate a favourable response from you. Kabiru A. Usman, Besides Wunti Market, Bauchi.
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