Dear brothers and sisters, the great people of Gombe State (Jewel in the Savannah), with utmost serendipity and a united spirit as one, I greet you all as family.
My name is Yusuf Abubakar Yahaya, popularly known as Yusuf Raul, a concerned citizen, human rights activist, political analyst, advocate of good governance, and promoter of peace and well-being for all citizens.
As a member of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I know many will be surprised when I say I am a member of the APC. However, I doubt it will be a surprise because I didn’t resign from the APC nor join any other political party. I’m still a card-carrying and bonafide member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). When the right time comes, we will act as long as it benefits humanity and brings sustainable development to Gombe State and Nigeria as a whole. A political party is merely a platform that both good and bad can join to contest, but as mature, educated people, it’s up to us to make the right choice that we all agree will benefit our community.
A political party is a platform, but the person or candidate behind the party who stands out as a flag bearer is what needs to be questioned, especially regarding their track record, manifesto, mission, and vision in bringing about suitable solutions to the current predicaments that hinder the smooth running of businesses and the development of the state. Therefore, as Yusuf Raul, I’m not a partisan politician; we did that before, but we all ended up regretting it.
Let’s look at Gombe State—our state has been blessed with governors who have the interest of developing the state at heart, and that’s what makes the state what it is today. In just 26 years, since 1999, when the late President Sani Abacha declared Gombe a state, we have developed into one of the fastest-growing states in Nigeria, competing with many states in the country. All this happened so fast as a result of the efforts of our governors who contributed immensely to the success and development of our beloved state.
Starting with the first elected Democratic Governor, the late Abubakar Habu Hashidu, he did well in his first tenure as governor, though he failed in his reelection bid. Governor Muhammad Danjuma Goje succeeded him and brought numerous unforgettable projects that we are still benefiting from, such as electricity, water, the establishment of Gombe State University, Gombe International Airport, the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal University Kashere, Pantami Stadium, human development, and road networks in the state.
His successor, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, also performed extremely well, building on the legacies of his predecessor, Danjuma Goje. Now, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, CON, focuses more on infrastructural development, healthcare, and education.
The question on the table is: Who do we think can build on these legacies? Among the key politicians in the ruling party, even though none of them has publicly declared their intentions to run for the number one seat in the state, much has been seen from their supporters and well-wishers across the state, which can be used as clear evidence that they will contest in the 2027 general election.
What we need now is not an administrative politician, but rather an industrial politician who will industrialize the state and allow the economy to thrive by promoting businesses that can accommodate our teeming youths who are jobless and roaming around looking for ways to earn a living in the state. I strongly believe that poverty and hunger lead to insecurity; every youth engaged in something productive will never involve themselves in such negative activities.
Small businesses are struggling due to the high cost of living, the rate of unemployment is always increasing, tuition fees in universities and higher institutions are rising, and human development issues need to be addressed for Gombe State to develop. By curtailing these issues, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state will increase.
I firmly believe that Gombe State needs to find ways of generating revenue and stop depending on Federal Government allocations. There are many strategic approaches that can be implemented to increase IGR without inflicting hardship on the people, especially small businesses.
We also need someone with a listening ear, who will run an inclusive government by listening to advice and employing modern technological thinking on how to set the state on a path of sustainable development. The political arena is open for all interested politicians to contest, but it’s our duty to conduct a rigorous investigation and come out with a collective decision that will benefit both the state and the people of Gombe State.
The state has a history of peaceful coexistence among different religions, and this history must be respected. Our elders, and most especially our traditional leaders, are the ones we will run to whenever we have any problems. These individuals must be respected; this is the kind of politician we need—not just someone who will enrich himself and run a government like a one-man business. Among these faces, who do you think is capable and has all it takes to take Gombe State to the promised land? That’s the question.
I have no personal interest in who should be the next governor of the state; my priority is finding who will be best and most suitable for the job. Our personal interests should always come second; let’s prioritize the interests of the state above our own.
As youth, I’m urging us to join hands and come to one decision, as a consensus that can benefit the state and the great people of Gombe State in respect of our political differences. We have no other state to call ours except Gombe State. Let’s do the right thing for the betterment, progress, and development of Gombe State, where we will all be proud to call our state and beat our chests by contributing to its success.
To be Continued………
Yusuf Abubakar Yahaya (Yusuf Raul), Human Rights Activist, Promoter of Good Governance, Freedom Fighter. He writes from Gombe State, Nigeria.
