Periodic election is among the key aspect of democratic system where electorates are given opportunity to elect leaders into various positions of power from ward to federal level.
This has continued to preserve the ideal practice of people oriented government system and rule of law.
As 2027 is approaching, political parties are already in search of candidates to contest for various seats in the forthcoming general elections as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gombe State has witnessed a golden age since its creation in 1996, ranging from infrastructural development, peaceful environment for business and industrial development.
Thanks to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s mind-set of making the Gombe among the best cities in Nigeria, eliciting commendation from the public. He has put tremendous efforts to transform Gombe state in all the strata.
It is in view of this vision that political analysts and commentators are expressing their opinions on the kind of personality to succeed Inuwa Yahaya in 2027.
The governor himself during the last sallah homage at Government House Gombe, paid to him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, said and I quote ” I am the driver and my eyes are open, the vehicle is in good shape and fully in control of the wheel. I can’t take the risk of bringing a successor that is ill-trained and unprepared to handle the state apparatus, but rather I will scout for a competent and visionary individual with the mindset of adding value to what we have initiated not a squander that will put the economy of Gombe into bankruptcy”.
This is what Gombawa are looking for. It is the interest of Gombe that makes Inuwa Yahaya to achieve what we witnessed in the last six years of his stewardship and careful management of the resources of Gombe helped him to record such tremendous achievements.
The desperation of some politicians like Sardaunan Gombe to become governor is a source of concern. We want to see their achievements and track record before thinking of having them as our governor.
For Sardauna, we have seen his management of KEDCO, when he served as its Managing Director. He has to be assessed base on his performance and management of the company. What has Nigerians and Gombe State benefitted from his management? This is just a question please. Do not vex. He has to answer or those who advocate for him to succeed Governor Inuwa should tell us.
The truth is, Gombawa (Gombe people) are searching for a leader who can inherit Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya not only as governor but in terms of focus, vision, initiatives and prudence . This is the style of leadership that enabled Gombe to achieve the enormous feats we are witnessing.
Sardaunan Gombe’s record of jilting his political benefactors and godfathers are another issue of concern that Governor Yahaya should ponder on. What transpired between him and Late Alhaji Abubakar Hashidu was a testimony to his unreliability.
I wish Yahaya and APC well and that is why I want him to have a deep thought on his endorsement of a successor.
I listened to the speculations going round last two weeks that Gov Muhammadu Iniwa Yahaya will endorse Sardauna as his successor, hence my intervention for a stitch in time, saves nine.
Though it appears to me like a day-dream or a fairy tale, because one would begin to x-ray the relationship between Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Sardauna whether in politics or business wise, which I find it difficult to correlate and see the possibilities of making such a huge mistake by the governor.
Gombawa are waiting anxiously to accept the right choice that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya will bring to them not a political carpet -crossing politician that hardly follows any leader or accepts fate gladly. These are Sardauna’s antecedents. He does not stay in one political party after losing primary elections. We also recalled how he parted ways with former governor late Abubakar Hashidu.
Though Governor Yahaya did not formally or publicly endorsed Sardauna or any successor, but it all begins as speculations and rumours, hence my intervention.
I am in support of democratic sustainability and good governance, I urge Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to endorse and support his loyalists that have been with him since the beginning, who I am pretty sure he will not make the mistake former governor, Goje, did in 2011 where he abandoned his loyalists and brought Ibrahim Dankwambo.
He started realising his mistake since from swearing-in ground at Pantami stadium. His legacies were destroyed and Goje is only relevant now in his Senatorial District of Gombe Central as a senator.
Danmajen Gombe, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the steery is in your hands, the turtle and clutch are all in your control. Please do the needful by handing over Gombe State to a competent loyalist who will consolidate on your legacies.
Jimoh Abdulfatah writes from Gombe, Gombe State.
