I don’t have as much resources as the others, but my track record of performance speaks – Gombe North APM Senatorial candidate
Chima Azubuike, in this interview with candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), for Gombe North Senatorial District Yusuf Ibrahim, shares his winning tactics as he confronts political bigwigs like two-term Senator Sa’idu Alkali and two-term Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Ambassador Yusuf Ibrahim, popularly known as 3,000. A three time-peace Ambassador awarded by different peace organisations. An indigene of Gombe LGA of Gombe State, a graduate of University of Maiduguri, before then I had obtained my National Certificate in Education from Federal College of Education. I did my primary School in Tudun Wada. Am an activist, a Social Worker, a Human Right Activist to some extent a Development worker. The Current Chairman of Association of Non Governmental Organisations Gombe State (ANGO), and also the Secretary General Conference of Civil Society Network in Northern Nigeria.
Why did you venture into politics?
I ventured into politics because i am from Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe North senatorial district that has Gombe, Kwami, Nafada, Dukku, and Funakaye Local Government Areas. From the look of things from 1999 till date we have not had serious representation. There is no single project apart from the rehabilitation of the Gombe-Darazo road, there was no single project executed from 1999 till date and I challenge anybody that will show me any project that the people of that constituency have benefitted. So, instead of us to sit down and complain or castigate our leaders why don’t we venture into politics ourselves and make sure that we bring in our contribution. Development is not a one man or one hand activity, is a two way thing, everyone needs to contribute to the development of his community or society, that is why I ventured into politics.
Why should the people vote for you as candidate of the APM for Gombe North Senatorial District?
Let me start by saying that the 2019 slogan, which was a clash of horns because people chose from top to bottom due to the number of contestants. So many candidates bowed down under a particular candidate to tap from his popularity. When you look at what is happening now, a lot of people are not saying they are voting for a political party, rather they are going for candidates, because performance or otherwise is ensured by individuals representing their parties and not done by the political parties. If you check the history of development in our state, you will notice that the people from the PDP have made some impact, if you go to some constituencies or some states PDP has nothing to show, the same thing if u go to some places or communities you will notice that they have a lot of dividends of democracy and at the same time other political party has not done anything to their society, and people are looking unto who is going to be a martyr or somebody that will represent them best rather than looking at the political party. Popularity of a political party doesn’t really matter.
So what are you doing to market your party?
In our political context because a lot needs to be done to make sure that people understand the aim of the party and logo of the party because as I said earlier, people are not going to vote again according to parties, they are going to vote according to popularity of candidates and track record of a candidate. This is exactly why I have come into politics under the APM instead of the two others (APC and PDP) you mentioned. But even at that a lot of credible candidates were denied party ticket in the two other major parties as a result of godfatherism and a lot of resources were spent on delegates rather than allowing the actual internal democracy to happen.
Ban on Campaign has been lifted what should the people expect?
As you can see, popularity of party matters, popularity of candidate matters, availability of resources also matters .I don’t have enough resources compared to the other political parties but I will say we are going to continue in a peaceful way due to the consultations we are doing.
We will make sure that we continue doing it from now till the election period, because from the look of things these days there are alot of engagements coming from the background where I come from, the NGO constituency, there are so many contributions of stakeholders to making sure that people are not violent during election, rather people should participate positively and actively during election.
When there is no peace development will not come at the same time the election might not hold, even if it holds, it might call for alot of fear for the electorates. So it better for all of us as electorates and candidates to make sure we do our campaign peacefully and also without personality attack rather r let’s do issue-based campaign.
You are are known for your performance in Gombe Non Governmental organisation’s circle especially in Gombe State, how do you intend to combine both?
If you check the history of NGO especially these days alot of NGOs are being registered for political not partisan. Definitely from now there is a possibility I’m going to relinquish that office (Chairman ANGO), even the organisation that I’m heading, my primary organisation Advocacy Centre for Development. I won’t want any clash of interest, it won’t be good to start something good and at the same time allow selfishness tarnish your goodwill. So, there is a possibility I may step down to allow neutral person to take over the process.
It is sometimes believed that activists don’t make good political leaders, how convinced are you that you will be different?
I don’t believe in that theory. Leadership is about personality of the individual and representation is about believe. As an individual, I know what I can do and I know what I can’t do and the people I have led so far will testify. If an activist was elected and he didn’t perform doesn’t mean someone like me can’t come out to contest and perform. I’m participating to change the narrative because if we continue to have the notion about activists not performing then we will continue to send back genuine performers.
Recently Association of Non Governmental organisations which you lead cautioned the governor about the need to remove political outlets around school areas, and not to allow the involvement of school children during political activities, following the death of the school girl ram by a reckless driver, but some of those centres still exist?
We will continue to make the call whether am with the NGO or candidate of APM, having the facilities in front of schools especially government schools will endanger the lives of children. No sensible parent will allow it continuation. We are calling on the present government to make sure that it removes those facilities. It is possible that something can happen where children are in their hundreds and I’m sure they won’t want anything negative to happen to those children. Removing the political outlets is a sign that government is serious about the security of lives of residents especially school children.
Some have alleged that you have a pact with the APC candidate who is currently representing your constituency, that you are not a serious candidate, how true?
You can’t stop anyone from saying his mind but I don’t know when someone saw me with the APC candidate and I don’t know when anyone saw me attending meetings with them aside from the party I belong. Sometimes, when people see you as a threat they keep concorting lies about you. If they have evidence that I’m working for any political party or candidate let them come out with the evidence.
How ready are you to win a senatorial contest where a former governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Peoples Democratic Party is contesting?
Personally, I don’t like commenting on individuals but rather their policies or style of leadership. I won’t make remarks of him as a person but rather his achievements or track record for me the people of Gombe North, if there is someone they have issues with it is the former governor of Gombe State. For us as people of Gombe North, he has not done anything in terms of development. If you check the history of education in Gombe North, it went down during his administration. Our education especially boarding schools were shut down, he may come out and show to us if there are any, I’m not scared of contesting against him. On the issue of resources, people will vote for me not because of party but me as a person, if he has resources to give out let him give it out I don’t have that but as I keep saying let’s do issue-based campaign. He should be able to tell the people what he intends to do if elected. For the APC that produced the present senator, this is his second tenure as I said since 1999 till date all the people representing the constituency I don’t think there is any tangible project they can present. I have not seen any.
What is APM’s tactics of winning without as much resources as APC and PDP?
Issue-based campaign we need to promote issue-based campaign, as well as end monetary campaign. If we don’t stop it, it will cost us alot. It will mortgage the future of our unborn children and no one prays for that. I don’t have the resources to say I can compete with them but rather I advocate for issue-based campaign.
What will be your distinguishing traits as a potential lawmaker?
You earlier mentioned that through our little efforts that alot of persons are lauding our contributions in the Civil Society. I have never held political position, so I can’t compare myself with those that have been there but the little we have been doing for the community will speak for us.
What is the way out of insecurity, unemployment challenges in the state and country? The problem of insecurity is a global issue but for me I think there is absence of sincerity of purpose from the leadership. It is only in Nigeria, people turn things into money making venture, you can’t buy human life. Alot of persons in charge of lives and property are only there to make money to enrich themselves. The State, Federal should look inward and begin to address this issue if not very soon our leaders at the helms of affairs may be affected.
There are concerns that election in Gombe may not be peaceful with the recent mayhems at Political secretariat, campaign offices, what is the way out?
The issue is all our leaders have roles to play. If we go for our prayers in whether mosques or churches we expect the religious leaders to speak what is expected, speak the truth. We don’t want to witness what we have seen in the years of insurgency. The issue of Boko Haram can’t be complete without without mentioning the political thugs in Borno and Yobe, then Kalare (Gombe political thugs), can’t be an exception. As parents we have a stake to admonish our children.
Do you think the electoral act is enough to deliver Nigeria credible polls in 2023?
Our issue in Nigeria is not about laws, it about implementation and enforcement. It about the desire of the people to change the narrative then we will get the deliverables.
Some have predicted that election in 2023 is under threat and may not hold with the current trend of insecurity, what do you think? 2023 election will hold, the threat as we see ahead of 2023 election is not as much as 2011 threat or 2015 elections threat. We just need to be careful in whatever we do especially those contesting election at the centre because alot of people are looking up to them, they are role models. If care is not taken we are heading to God forbid, a no man’s definition because no one knows what will happen. I see 2023 election holding but we have to be ready, coupled with community resilience towards achieving credible polls. Community members should not allow foreigner or anyone outside of the community to disrupt the peace in their community.
What is your advice for supporters known for their online activism without Permanent Voters Card? If you see any one of them and interview them, I have always told them not to engage in hate speech campaign I don’t like it. They should not attack personality, rather let’s be sincere at the same time let’s imbibe issue-based campaign. I will urge them to continue the peaceful approach they are using and also not to attack anybody because of his interest or ethnicity. In the last meeting with INEC we called on them to ensure public awareness for people to know that PVC is out to enable voters pick their cards at their various offices. No matter how you love someone if you don’t vote him that love is missing. To the entire residents especially youths they should not allow themselves to be used by unpatriotic politicians if they continue to allow themselves to be used they will be in perpetual poverty, darkness. They should be able to draw rules of engagement for people seeking their votes so that the engagement can be enriched.
