|
The End of an Era and a New Dawn in Bauchi State By Ahmed Hashem
If the tremendous support given to Mallam Isa Yuguda at the polls is anything to go by, then it is necessary that he does not disappoint the people of Bauchi State. The Support came from every nook and corner of the state-thanks to the failure of Muazu to take every one along during his eight year tenure as Governor.
Many people especially outsiders would argue that, the former Governor had done well in areas of road construction, Education, Rural development etc, but my position had always been that, developing a state or any community for that matter involved human capital development, empowerment, decency, respect for the fellows especially elders. lot has been said at how Muazu embarrassed several people including Emirs and Nadada Umar (Secretary to the State Government and letter Gubernatorial candidate) at various times and in some cases in full public glare! That is not good enough coming from a leader and a decent person.
A lot of the so-called projects executed in the state have been cosmetics i.e. Hospital without equipments and drugs, Yankari project and resurfacing of roads etc. all contracted at very exorbitant rates in some cases through loans and overdraft at very high interest rates. Instead of empowering local and state indigenous contractors, he would in most cases arrogantly engage the services of non-indigenes and cronies else where. This arrogance and complex have been his hallmark to the level of over confidence that led to his total downfall and personal embarrassment.
As the God Almighty would have it, the exit of Isa Yuguda as minister of aviation at the insistence of Ahmed Muazu became a turning point for people of the state. For it was at that stage that Yuguda decided to face the challenges posed by Muazu and his gang head on. The treatment mated on him by the PDP and Muazu which lead to his exit to ANPP became an asset to him but most importantly Yuguda disposition and goodwill helped a great deal.
This is what accounted for his success in achievements and follower ship from Inland Bank, Nal. Bank to minister ship in obasanjo's cabinets. He values and respects all manner of people and those that had cause to deal with him, either officially or on personal level had benefited immensely, therefore, extolled his values or prayed for him! this quality is what made people from all the three senatorial districts to support and elect him, even though it was the turn of either central or North Senatorial district. Ahmed Muazu against popular wish of the people, anointed for the PDP a candidate so unpopular and disliked, even in his own local government area to the detriment of his reputable and loyal deputy, whom he could have groomed.
This is all in an effort to maintain the status quo and have governor he could remotely control to cover his past misdeeds as regards to how he recklessly squandered public funds in the state. In the past eight years, he succeeded in alienating even his commissioners and arrogated to himself the power to make and unmake. That is why he went out of his way to recruit somebody from neighboring Kano first as commissioner, thereafter, replaced Isa Yuguda with him as a Minister to represent Bauchi State!
Now that the battle was fought and won, it will be useful to advise Yuguda to carry everyone along and not fall into the trap of sycophants. The type of people who would not allow him to listen to useful counsel and thereby become alienated from the masses, while they take advantage of the situation to make a lot of money from the system. for him to succeed, I will advise that he assemble a good crack team of people of proven integrity and intelligence as honorary advisors. This team which may not be of politicians would formulate a good developmental programmed or blue print for the whole state and thereafter be meeting with the governor at intervals to review progress. Central to the work of the committee will include areas such as non-formal Education, Employment especially of the famous notorious youths (political thugs) which may eventually be used against the present government if care is not taken, sponsorship of postgraduate courses especially in science and technology would broaden the educational base of the state. Cheap affordable housing programme throughout the state will be of immense benefits. The new Governor should borrow a leaf from Kano state as regards to the above.
There is general impoverishment in the state, therefore government should also look at the empowerment of people through local contract and small holder loans to engage in meaningful trades and skill i.e.. bulkanising, ice-block making, fisheries etc. Also top on the agenda of the Yuguda government should be recovery of public funds from the previous regime of Ahmad Muazu through all possible means. I believe a lot of the fund are recoverable if not cash but in shares, property, deposits etc. If Yuguda takes care of these basic problems of people he will have an easy tenure because what the former governor failed to realize and those working with him feared to advised him, was that Bauchi state people are simple minded, religious, disciplined and austere; very easy to govern. Meaning that they can do with little and/or no sophistication in building of guest houses, cars or purchase of aircrafts. I can attest to that, because I was born, bred, grew up and worked in Bauchi service for ten years. Muazu's mistake was that he failed to understand and carry people along and thereby empower them, may be because of his excessive greed and over confidence. Leadership comes with enormous responsibilities and special honour that should not be taken for granted or misused.
My advice and conclusion is for the outgoing governor to take what has befallen him as a good lesson of life and not blame anybody but him self. it should serve as a turning point or he will be doomed forever. It would be better for him to now take it very easy and go back to the background and not hustle to become minister or chief of staff to the president.
As for people of Bauchi state and the in-coming governor, IT IS A DAWN OF A NEW ERA!
HASHEM Ahmed Abuja
|