BY MUHAMMAD IMAM
As the country gradually moves towards another political dispensation, leaders, followers and loyalists have returned to the trenches, perfecting strategies on how to remain relevant in the next dispensation. Expectedly, nocturnal meetings are gradually returning, thereby shaping political direction, as no one wants to be caught napping.
Despite all the moves to remain in control, as far as the coming dispensation is concerned, the reality on ground is that some areas seemed to be difficult terrains to thread, while others are not , even as some are caught in between.
In Kebbi State for example, the massive supporters and teeming loyalists of Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris seemed to be comfortable with the situation on ground, despite the ongoing efforts by the opposition to rally round and dislodge the incumbent. Indeed, there is no denying the fact that the opposition in the state are having sleepless nights, on the strategies to adopt so as to send the ruling party packing, in the next gubernatorial election.
However, while the opposition are seriously working round the clock to scuttle the second term bid of the incumbent, the governor seems to be unperturbed, chosing rather, to focus on his developmental projects aimed at making life more meaningful to the people of the state. Investigation by this stable reveals that Governor Idris has made deft moves since assumption of office, which has endeared him to the majority of the people of the state. For example, the serious attention he has given to security, which has, to some extent, reduced the impact of banditry, has improved the rating of the governor in the eyes of the people. One of the residents of Aliero, Muhammad Isa told our correspondent in an interview that due to the way and manner the governor is handling the issue of security with all seriousness, the challenges has been minimal.
Equally, Musa Abdullahi who resides in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi said what endeared the governor to the people most, is the fact that the governor has worked assiduously in enhancing unity among the people. He pointed out that since there can never be development without unity, it has become imperative for the people to continue to coexist harmoniously. According to him, the present administration has taken the bull by the horn, by ensuring that the people of the state, irrespective of social strata, work collectively for the overall progress of the state.
In fact, another indigene of the state, Ishaya Shehu said though former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has tried his best for the people while in office, it is going to be difficult for the stalwart of the African Democratic Congress to rally the support of the people to defeat the governor in the next gubernatorial election. He said the greatest strength of the governor is the top priority his administration has accorded youths and women empowerment; which has greatly improved the economy of the state. Aside that, he maintained that, the governor has touched virtually all sectors of the state economy without making noise about it.
Deborah Chinoko seemed to align with the position of Ishaya Shehu, saying the women folks have been carried along in the scheme of things. Accordingly to her, various empowerment programmes introduced by the present administration in the state, has endeared the governor to the people, insisting that they have no reason not to re- elect the governor in the next election.
Furthermore, another loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Ismail Yusuf said though the opposition are no doubt visible in the state, it will be almost impossible to defeat the governor in the next election, owing to the fact that ” This governor is on ground”. He added that the recent attempt by the opposition to test “The microphone” ahead of the next dispensation has backfired, insisting that nobody can easily dislodge the incumbent.
Though the 2027 general elections is still far away, the political land
Though the 2027 general elections is still far away, the political landscape of Kebbi State for now, is favourably disposed in returning the incumbent governor to power, to enable him continue with his laudable programmes. However, a top supporter of the ADC, Garba Musa said they are poised to defeat the governor, because they strongly believe that a former minister and chieftain of the ADC in the state, Abubakar Malami, SAN has all it takes to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. But the one million dollar question on the lips of followers of events in Kebbi State is, can the opposition who are presently in disarray, pull resources together to defeat the incumbent governor in the next gubernatorial poll? Only time will tell.
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