PDP

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Indubitably, Bauchi State is one of the hottest political spots in Nigeria. With a very volatile electorate, the state has remained one to watch whenever Nigerians are to go to the polls. More so, especially in recent times, the opposition in Bauchi state is hardly passive. In most cases, the government in power is challenged by a strong opposition which, from recent experience, the latter defeats the former at the polls. 

For instance, in 2015, the then-opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the ruling Peoples` Democratic Party (PDP), culminating in the emergence of M. A. Abubakar as the governor of Bauchi state. And in 2019, the now-ruling PDP succeeded in ousting the APC from power. Such is the case of Bauchi State, where the electorate is apparently democratically well exposed, so much so that the political landscape is as undulating as it is sophisticated.  

And as Nigerians walk to the polls next year, the political temperature in Bauchi state is already rising, with the two main governorship contenders working hard to outdo each other. However, instead of issues to characterize the electioneering campaigns where the government in power will try to convince the electorate that it has performed well, just as the opposition APC will try to show the electorate how the former has not done well, it beats even the wildest imaginations that politicians in the state have resorted to destroying the billboards of their opponents. There is obviously no need for that.

The PDP-led government in Bauchi state can present its performance sheet to the electorate with a view to convincing the people how it delivered all the promises it made ahead of the 2019 governorship election. It should tell the world how it impacted the lives of the people. On the basis of indices, let the world learn how governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has not failed to transform education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, transportation, roads, security and the civil service in the almost past four years. 

And for the opposition APC, let it convincingly tell the good people of Bauchi state how the PDP-led administration has failed. Also, on the basis of indices, it should prove that it can do better by presenting reasons, amongst which should be the credentials of its standard bearer, Sadique Baba Abubakar. Let the world know how the erstwhile Chief of Air Staff met the Nigerian Air Force in almost the same situation Bauchi state is in today and turned around matters only to leave it a better place. 

In essence, rather than develop primitive tendencies, politicians in Bauchi state can focus on issues so that the electorate can know who is the best and can therefore make informed decisions on election day. After all, democracy is about the people in terms of their well-being and general development. 

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse, Abuja. 

Sule Abubakar Lucky Mark

What aphorism could have more aptly encapsulated Atiku’s socially divisive, searing and bigoted mannerism better than the saying in William Shakespeare’s play – ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ – which goes thus: ‘Would rather be a plain-dealing villain than an honest flattering man.’? By being a ‘plain-dealing villain’, Shakespeare means to be strict and yet upright so that people could even swear that despite your ever-growing strictness, your uprightness is still intact. So, in summary, it means to be a sharp model of rectitude.

And, being ‘an honest flattering man’, on the other hand, means, in a nutshell, to be tactically implicit in your wording so that no one’s ox would ever be gored, i.e., to be politically correct!

And so, I’ve always wondered why Atiku Abubakar, who intends to rule a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria, would be trapped in a circle of ‘honest flattery’ in his political voyage, and the most surprising thing is the fact that he does this without remorse. If you want to rule people, you should instead be a ‘plain-dealing villain’ than an ‘honest flatterer’, for it is in your ‘plain-dealing villainy’ they will know whether you would express deep concern about their collective plight or not in case you eventually become their leader.

On 16 October 2022, in an interactive session, Atiku reportedly told the Northern Elders Forum in Kaduna, ‘…I think what the northerners need is someone who is from the north and also understands the other parts of Nigeria, who has built bridges across the country. This is what a northerner needs. He doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate.’ – Punch newspaper.

Atiku’s geo-ethnic bigotry and supremacism can be likened to what Shakespeare described in the play above as ‘mortifying mischief.’ And this ‘mortifying mischief’ of Atiku, if he is not adequately cautioned for it, could fan the flames of deep cleavage among Nigerians.

A presidential candidate who is said to be a ‘unifier’ should not carelessly shout an ethnic slur on/against other regions. He is expected to strengthen the dwindling bond of our existence and not weaken the already ailing breath of the fatherland. A patriotic ‘unifier’ should not play the ethnic card in the north and play ‘the unifier card’ in other regions. That’s sheer hypocrisy!

In his usual ethnocentric delusion, Atiku has always played ostrich when it comes to pressing national issues. On 12 May 2022, when some homicidal youths took the life of Deborah Samuel at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Atiku quickly posted on his verified Facebook account and condemned the illegal act. Still, after some people threatened that they would not vote for him, Atiku shamelessly removed the condemnatory post he had made earlier. That act alone has a subtle undertone: Atiku is in thrall, and he has no guts to pilot the affairs of this country!

And who knows if William Shakespeare also had Atiku Abubakar in mind when he described one of his characters in that same play: ‘Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.’ In Atiku’s case now, despite his undeniable beauty, seemingly athletic figure, etc., he is still a rash reprobate. And if you are still inwardly an ‘obstinate heretic’, as a man, despite your beauty, especially in contemporary Nigerian society, you cannot be a reliable leader. Your government will be fraught with fabulous fraud and a glittering facade!

At this critical stage of national politics, people must be careful as they make their choices because they are in the hands of manipulative political musketeers who masquerade like angels with their honeyed rhetoric and empty promises. And if Nigerians are not careful, they will later have to find an answer to Birago Diop’s rhetorical question in his poem, which goes thus:‘If we cry roughly of our torments, what hearts will listen to our clamouring’?

Sule Abubakar Lucky Mark sent this article via suleabubakarmark2020@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara said the state government did not shut down media houses but only sealed them for breaking the law. 

The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris, clarified this on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, saying the affected media houses collaborated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to break the law.

The Daily Reality recalls that Zamfara State Government, through the announcement by its Information Commissioner, Ibrahim Dosara, ordered the immediate shutdown of the affected media houses.  

Since he announced the order, trials have continued to knock the state government over the closure of the broadcast stations in the state.  

Justifying the move, Idris said, “The information reaching you out there is incorrect. What I read from the government is that it sealed the media (houses), not shut down. 

“The government doesn’t have the right to shut down, it only sealed; no going in, no going out. Shutting down means they are not going to operate and cancelling their licenses; this is the responsibility of NBC.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

There has been tension among journalists in Zamfara as the state government shuts down all the federal and private media houses for covering political rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The state’s Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, in a statement made available to journalists, disclosed on Saturday.

Dosara said the state governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, also directed the State Commissioner of Police to arrest all pressmen that attended the event.

The Daily Reality gathered that the event was organized by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare.

Several reports indicated that Matawalle earlier announced a suspension of all political activities in the state over the resurgence of insecurity.

However, the PDP went ahead with its inaugural rally which enjoyed media coverage by the affected media.

Radio Nigeria Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, Al’Umma TV are among the media affected by the order.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, visited the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, in Kaduna.

Abubakar also planned to visit Kaduna city and Kafanchan as well as attend an interactive session with presidential candidates which has been organized by Arewa joint committee in the state.

He described the purpose of his visit as seeking the royal blessings and intimate him on his outing.

“My visit here is a homecoming, but it has been a tradition of our campaign programmes to seek the blessings, advice and guidance of our royal fathers.

“I’m also here to congratulate and rejoice with you on the conferment of national honour given to you by the president.

“With this visit, we hope to boost and strengthen our campaign activities geared towards national unity and development,” he said.

“By this, we hope to receive guidance and prayers to enable us succeed in our campaign activities.” He stated.

The Emir, while responding, called on politicians to play by the rule of the game and avoid comments and utterances that may jeopardize the national unity.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Former Kano State governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said the All Progressive Congress (APC) was not worried by the growing strength of the New Nigerian People Party (NNPP).

The senator said NNPP would only strike terror into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party would split the votes that belong to the PDP. 

He stated that the APC would sweep the votes in all the electoral positions, predicting that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) would come second while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would come third.

Gaya disclosed this to journalists in Kano when he was debunking the rumour going around that the vice president, Yemi Osibanjo, was sidelined in the formation of the presidential campaign team of APC. 

He said the information was misleading and fake and that Osinbajo remained committed to the presidential ambition of the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said, “I am a member of the Tinubu campaign team, so the issue of sidelining anyone does not arise. Even the president has said he wants Osinbajo to be with him in running the affairs of the country to ensure a seamless handover.

“There is nothing like Osinbajo is sidelined because, after the primaries, we were in Osinbajo’s house when Tinubu came and said he needed our support. We had over two hours’ discussion. They are working together. Politics should not divide us,” he stated. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for not having a valid presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary, PDP, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this on Saturday while addressing the party’s conference on Saturday.

He stated that the ruling has nothing to offer and should go home and face the “issues of inconsistencies in his educational qualifications, name, ancestry, age as well as corruption allegations.”

Ologunagba added that the nullification of the candidacy of Osun State governors Gboyega Oyetola, confirmed the stand of the party that the executives and candidates put together by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, were illegal.

The Daily Reality recalls that a Federal High Court in Abuja invalidated the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, as APC candidates in the Osun State governorship election.

Olgunagba stated that the judgment by the Federal High Coury invalidated the decision made by Buni, including supervising the election that produced the Abdullahi Adamu APC leadership and by extension, the primaries that produced Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) has started a legal duel with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to allow the party to replace Senator Ibrahim Shekarau for Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections.

NNPP wanted to replace Shekarau with the former senator, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, after his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) some months ago.

Shekarau defected and joined PDP citing irreconciliable differences with the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his reasons.

On it’s part, INEC argued that Shekarau has not officially informed the electoral body about his defection to PDP reiterating that it can not replace his name with another person.

In an interview with journalists on Wednesday, the NNPP presidential candidate Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said: “We have conducted (fresh) primary election where we elected Rufa’i Sani Hanga, as a replacement and if INEC can do justice to us, based on the constitution, the time for the replacement of candidates is not yet over.

“We have taken the matter to court because INEC did not understand the process. The court will make them understand it.”

Kwankwaso, who wondered why INEC refused to replace Shekarau’s name with their new candidate, asked “would INEC announce Shekarau as the legally elected representative for the district if NNPP wins the senatorial seat?”

By Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani 

Ahead of the 2023 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has set 28th September 2022 as the date of the kick-off of the campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections, while that of Governorship and State Assembly is on 12th October 2022.  

You may be confused about one thing or two, especially when I said the political campaign’s dos and don’ts. Some people may not have understood it. This is highly likely. But, of course, there are limits, and there is a red line that shouldn’t be crossed. There are things that politicians shouldn’t do in the name of electioneering. 

Now that you know, there are things politicians should not do to sell their candidature to the electorate. You will like to know what those things are. Relax. In the course of this piece, I will attempt to treat it. As Nigerians, we are fully aware of what an average political campaign season looks like. It goes with so many things that some of us might have thought are normal everywhere. But it isn’t. Once again, what are they? Political thuggery, mudslinging, killings, hate speech, etc.

While electioneering isn’t a tea party, it doesn’t have to be as nasty as it is in this part of the world. It takes all of us to reduce the toxic messages: from our places of worship, markets, schools, offices, parks, halls, farms, etc. This is everyone’s business. We must be involved. We have to work collectively to help our dear states and the nation.  We can only build this country under this dispensation by encouraging democratic conventions and not unacceptable practices to win or rig the election. 

Rig the election? I think this horrible phenomenon continues to rear its ugly head because many of our institutions are so weak, especially the critical ones that can put a stop to it. Unfortunately, in so many instances, they abet it, leading to many terrible results over the years. 

You will be increasingly sought-after during the electoral campaign to hatch out different plans. This is the time when there will be a multitude of recruitment. No, not in the civil service. But the thriving political industries need the strength and pep of youth to propel them. It is saddening to note that many youths will be required not on the dignified and visionary side but at the disdainable and thuggish position, where their youthful energy will be wrongly channelled to the despicable social oddity of thuggery. This trend has led to the horrible end of countless youth over the years. 

It is discernible that politics is much maligned and detested owing to the celebration of thuggery, cultism, and immorality in many quarters. All these have discouraged many  Nigerians from joining politics or exercising their franchise without necessarily being card-carrying party members. This has, over the years, aided in robbing Nigeria of some of its best brains in politics, a large swathe of its patriotic citizens, and a considerable number of Nigerians who believe in this country. My compatriots, we must change the narrative. We have to stand up and fight against any negative energy that permeates the polity: for the sake of our country. 

Am I advocating against joining politics? Definitely, no. But join politics as a decent, respectable, and patriotic participator, no matter how ‘insignificant’ your position is. In this way, your wit and vigour will be put into effect. Draw a line once your only place is a thug or any role that diminishes you or any other person. 

Value yourself and do only what is legal and aids your personal growth and collective development of society. Do not allow yourself to be used as a tool to destroy your future for a meal ticket. Be wise. You are as good as anyone else when you work hard sufficiently. 

The campaign season has been known to be a tense moment worldwide. This is not peculiar to Taraba or even Nigeria. However, political campaigns are usually anxious for the right reasons in saner climes, with each candidate coming up with competing ideas and plans forming the fulcrum of their manifesto. Therefore, it is anticipated that heated discussion will be a standard feature. But in most instances, the issues take centre stage. Therefore, there will be no need to recruit an array of youth to be engaged in thuggery to win elections. 

Over the years, we have seen how the tone of the candidates’ political campaigns has played a significant role in the level of violence witnessed before or after elections. Therefore, we must be deliberate in deciding our fate by categorically saying no to election violence, whether as candidates or electorate.  

We need to suffocate the polity from getting the stimulus of violence from the youth that has kept it going. We are sure of sanitizing the system. As more people are interested in politics, much more good and patriotic Nigerians will line up. It is a win-win situation for Nigeria. This will give us a better opportunity to choose good leaders to build the Nigeria of our dreams. 

Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani wrote from Turaki B, Jalingo, Taraba State. He can be reached via abdulrazaksansani93@gmail.com.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, and Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed– Binani, the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, have one similarity associated with their tickets- both are being challenged in the court of law.

Ambassador Mohammed Jameel Waziri is challenging his illegal exclusion from the May 22nd, 2022, Adamawa PDP Gubernatorial Primary Election, while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is challenging Binani’s victory in the APC’s May 26th, 2022, Gubernatorial Primary Election, because of the alleged over-voting.

Senator Binani won the APC Gubernatorial Primary Election with 430 votes, Nuhu Ribadu came second with 288 votes, former governor Bindow got 103 votes, Abdul Razak Namdas scored 94 votes while Wafari and Mustapha got 21 and 39 votes respectively.

The Fintiri-Binani game promises to be interesting, just as it appears to be a zero-sum one. It will be the first time a woman will be a big force to reckon with in the governorship race in Adamawa state. And, from all indications, Binani’s candidacy has altered many political calculations, including sending shivers down the Fintiri-Team’s spine- Finitiri has been forced to pick a woman as his deputy so as to face Binani’s threatening challenge.

Binani is coming to the race with many advantages over Fintiri, while Fintiri is coming into the race with few advantages over Binani, plus a lot of political baggage, that Binani will use to her own advantage.

While Fintiri heavily relies on 2 fulcrums- incumbency and war chest, Binani will rely on 5 fulcrums- sustained local empowerment, the ‘center’, smart political calculations, and enormous and clever application of war chest, including the very strategic youth and women grassroots support.

The women folk will for sure stand for her- for instance, during the APC gubernatorial primary election- Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani came to the race with assured votes in her ‘handbag’- women constitute nearly 40% of the delegates. When Binani entered the voting arena, the entire women among the delegates welcomed her with a melodous nasal sounds (Guɗa). That was a big signal to her opponents that she was ready for the game.

Another Fintiri’s weak point that Binani will capitalize on is his poor relationship with many PDP stakeholders- Binani will easily negotiate with them to get their ‘covert’ support. During the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections, Binani was able to get votes from PDP supporters in the central zone – she smartly negotiated her way- she even secured more votes than Buhari!

Binani always plays the ‘Mintzberg Political Games’- Building her influence and political structure through attaching herself to those who can help her in the future- the masses. The strategy is that- the lower-down people’s support will pressurize the higher-up people to give her the needed support when the time comes.

In a nutshell – Fintiri will heavily rely on the very important incumbency and massive war chest, while Binani will deploy her unprecedented strong grassroots support from women and youths, enough war chest, and capitalize on Fintiri’s errors and mistakes.

Notwithstanding the court cases associated with both candidates’ tickets- if elections were to be conducted today, Binani will beat Fintiri.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, is a Public Affairs analyst and he writes from Jimeta