Gombe: A state in mourning

The last week of March and first week of April will forever remained in the minds of people of Gombe State, particularly Gombe North and South Senatorial Districts. In a span of two days the two Senatorial Districts in the state lost two of its senators. The news about the sudden death of the chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Tawar Umbi Wada (PDP, Gombe South) on March 31 and that of Senator Kawu Peto Dukku, (PDP, Gombe North) on April 2, 2010 came as a shock to many not only in Gombe state alone but the entire nation in general. The week can be described as a week of sorrow for the families of the deceased and many people, both within and outside the state.  My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and may Allah grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. In times like this, it is important to understand that God has the power to take the life of an assumed healthy person and leave a sick man as He wishes. This is also a food for thought for all of us, as we may also be tasted either in the same manner or through some other ways.

Senator Wada was described as an erudite legislator who brought his training as a lawyer to bear on the fresh insights he brought on every issue on the floor of the Senate to which he made contribution. His colleague, Senator Kawu on the other hand was described as a quite legislator. Both were loved by their constituencies in their own ways. This is evident from the crowd that gathered in Gombe Emir’s palace to pray for the remains of Senator Kawu on Saturday April 2, 2010 and those that escorted the remains of Senator Wada on Friday, April 9, 2010. Lest we forget, this is the second time the people of Gombe South are losing a serving Senator. Senator Idris Abubakar also died as a serving Senator in 2002. So for the people of Gombe South, the death of Senator Wada is the second they have witnessed since the return of democracy in 1999.

However, as soon as the burial and mourning of the Senators ends, the business of the day would continue, because that is the way of the world. It is not too early to start speculating the likely successors of the two senators, because of the tricky nature of Gombe politics.  What is a fact is that opposition parties in the state are almost dead or non-existent as in recent years the ruling PDP in the state was able to muzzle them out rendering them almost incapacitated. The focus now will definitely shift to how the heavy weight within the ruling PDP in these two senatorial districts will be able to manage or fight it out among themselves, everyone in his effort to ensure his men succeed the two late senators.

In Gombe South for instance, Mr. David Albashi, a present Commissioner under Goje administration has shown interest long ago to replace late Senator Wada, who was preparing to contest for the Governorship seat before his untimely death. However, the Deputy Governor, Dr. John Lazarus Yoriyo was also interested. They are all from the same local government, Balanga. Mr. Albashi, the super Commissioner as he is referred to by his admirers was a former deputy chairman in his local government before his appointment as a Commissioner and enjoys the goodwill of the incumbent Governor, Danjuma Goje; however, Dr. Yoriyo is a very powerful figure in the Southern Senatorial District with a wider support from the traditional institutions. These are the two names that actually became prominent even before the recent development, though there are names that cannot be ignored in the race. For example, Dr. Danlami Arab Rukuje, former General Manager, Gombe State Water Corporation is also a candidate to contend with, not forgetting Lt. General Timothy Shelfidi, the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia.

If the struggle for the Senatorial seat in Gombe South is reduced to two people, the fight for Gombe North seat is the trickiest. The Senatorial District comprises Dukku, Kwami, Nafada, Funakaye and Gombe local government areas. It is a District that house almost all the ‘who is who’ in Gombe State with little exception.  The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali is from Dukku, the same town with late Senator Kawu Peto. Some analysts were of the opinion that Rufai may contest the senatorial seat, but they were quick to point out that it would be a political suicide for the state to sacrifice Rufa’i’s current position as PDP National Publicity Secretary to contest the senatorial seat, because there is no guarantee the state will be allowed to retain the slot again.

Also Alhaji Usman Bayero Nafada the Deputy Speaker, who is eyeing the Governorship seat, has been ruled out. Therefore, the focus has shifted to Mallam Saidu Alkali, former Secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and presently the State Commissioner for Information and Alhaji Ahmed Walama, the current Chairman of Dukku LGA. Both candidates are grass-root politicians with a large followership; however Alkali’s disadvantages include his lack of exposure to national politics. With the recent development in the political arena, Walama has more advantages, having served as a Chairman of Dukku for more than seven years; he has achieved a lot through people oriented projects in his local council and a favourite candidate, moreover he bagged an MBA from the BUK and currently the Chairman of the State ALGON. He is highly exposed and very much in touch with national politics and very fit for the seat.

Whatever may be the case, it is the people of the two senatorial districts who will decide through their votes the person that can best represent their interest in the senate. Ours as usual is to guide them, so as to have an informed decision when making their choice. But as citizens it is high time for us to fully participate in the political process by pointing out people we hope can fully represent their people. This will also give us the right to criticize them if they are wrong or to ensure credible leaders are fielded as candidate who can eventually emerge as leaders through free and fair elections. Today the nation lacks politicians with vision because we feel politics is for bad people with a very negative ambition and self serving. Gombe State is in dire need of quality representation, this is possible from the kind of people who are fielded as candidates.