By Abubakar M. Nyakos
Upon the emergence of Most Distinguished Senator (Engr.) Aishatu Dahiru Ahmad Binani as Adamawa State APC gubernatorial candidate, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri started acting like a wounded lion who runs after his prey not to satisfy his hunger but to gratify his anger. He started blocking some beautiful chances of Adamawa citizens reaping the dividend of democracy through the workaholic Senator.
He has forgotten that giving back to society and coming to the rescue of people when necessary is a habit that becomes lifeblood to Binani, for it flows through her veins. She can’t fold her hands and see people suffering without doing the needful. It’s unlike her. She is an empathetic politician who always holds her people dearly and very close to her heart. No amount of pressure and effort from the opposition can change that.
Fintiri’s deep-down sense of insecurity proved to every sensible Adamawa citizen and me that he is far behind Binani in politicking. I used to fancy his political tactics and antics but not anymore. He has reduced himself to an ordinary local champion who manoeuvred himself into the Government House just because of the then APC internal crises. He knows that’s what paved the way for him.
We are all aware that Covid-19 has globally interrupted pilgrimage for two good years. As a governor with high regard for the welfare of his dependents, he is expected to inspect, renovate and make all the necessary things needed at the Hajj camp before this year’s Hajj activities.
Unfortunately, he failed to do that. When journalists arrived there and began to ask the pilgrims some questions regarding welfare, etc., they bitterly expressed their grievances, which got to the ears of Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani. She instantly responded to the situation and provided all required at the site: mattresses, mosquito nets, solar panels etc. She did all that within just four hours. Isn’t that gesture laudable? I believe it is.
Instead of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to accept his failure and laud the revered Senator without bickering, he opted to rent a hotel and order the pilgrims to vacate the place which Binani made conducive for them. What kind of politics is this? Where was he? Why didn’t he do the needful on time?
Consequently, Binani constituted a committee that could facilitate and ease some unseen hardships that Adamawa pilgrims might encounter in Saudi Arabia. The committee was saddled with the responsibility of cash disbursement to pilgrims and the like.
Through the Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Muslim Welfare Pilgrims Board, the governor tried to halt and frustrate the process in several ways because of their selfish interest.
1. They refused to give Binani’s committee the list of Adamawa pilgrims
2. They ordered Adamawa Scheduling Officers not to partake in the process.
3. They threatened both scheduling officers and Adamawa pilgrims that there would be repercussions for not following their order.
That habit alone must make anyone pause and rethink when addressing such a self-centered fellow as a politician. Talk more of giving him a mandate. Instead, he always thinks of himself alone.
Instead of working on integrating himself, he is busy attracting more enemies through dictatorship!
Nonetheless, Binani’s committee used I.D. cards to identify Adamawa pilgrims to distribute the money, and Adamawa pilgrims collected what was meant for them and shunned the directive given.
They thanked Her Excellency, Aishatu Binani, for her untiring support and commitment to the welfare of Adamawa citizens.
The pilgrims finally prayed for Binani’s victory in 2023 and pledged allegiance to support the Senator with their full chests. May Binani succeed, amin.
Abubakar M. Nyakos wrote from Adamawa via mnyakos@gmail.com.
