Buoyed by the reconciliation of Kaduna state PDP and endorsement from the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero squares up against other aspirants in the PDP primaries in the battle for the soul of Kaduna state in the 2015 gubernatorial election. ABDULRAHEEM AODU x-rays the challenges ahead of Yero as the opposition gathers steam.
The endorsement by Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, who urged members of the party in Kaduna state to rally round Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero ahead of the 2015 general elections, has given the Governor’s aspiration a new lease of life.
The endorsement by the BoT chairman, who urged the Governor to solidify the party and lead it to glory in the state in the 2015 general elections, was followed by that of President Goodluck Jonathan. The latter was in Kaduna to commission the new Governor’s office, completed by Governor Yero.
The endorsements and supports by leaders of the party dissipated whatever is left of the unfounded rumours that the incumbent Governor was asked to withdraw his aspiration to support some other interest, while giving him the impetus to proceed fully with his aspiration.
Anenih told the unified PDP family in Kaduna to unite in support of Governor Yero, who he described as performing Governor, saying, “I want to appeal to you that he needs to succeed, he is a young man and the sky is his limit, but he needs a solid foundation built on unity, hard work and loyalty.
“I am very pleased with what I saw on arrival and also from the conduct of the meeting. I am satisfied that all is well in Kaduna state as I return to Abuja.”
Despite Anenih and the President’s endorsements, Yero would be squaring up in the PDP ring against three other governorship aspirants; immediate past secretary to the Kaduna state government, Alhaji Samaila Abdullahi Yakawada, who is from the Kaduna Central Zone II.
Another former SSG, who is also former minister of state for aviation, Mr Felix Hassan Hyet is also in the mix with Senator Aziz Zego Haruna. Both Hyet and Haruna are from Southern Kaduna Zone III.
The three aspirants are experienced politicians versed in the art of politicking, having been in the game for a while and they will surely give the incumbent Governor a run for his money. However, the fact that both Zego and Hyet are from Southern Kaduna may play against them as they are expected to split the votes of the delegates from the Zone.
The Governor would however have his work cut out against Giwa local government born Yakawada, whose ambition to rule the state is legendary even while late former governor, Patrick Yakowa was alive. But political pundits believe the power of incumbency coupled with the salient performances of Governor Yero would turn the tide in his favour.
Though it is not impossible for the other three aspirants to gang up against the incumbent, if they believe that would further their interest after all politics is all about interest, but the political analysts are of the opinion that the power of incumbency would still prevail, especially if Governor Yero is able to muster the necessary political sagacity to rally the Southern Kaduna delegates in his support.
Yero said his decision to contest the election was in response to calls by people from various political and interest groups across the state urging him to contest the poll and need for continuity. His aspiration has not lacked the necessary support as he has been prodded towards seeking the ticket following waves of endorsements from virtually all quarters.
The PDP stakeholders in Kaduna state opened the flood of endorsement when they rallied support for President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo, as well as Governor Yero and his Deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga for the 2015 general elections.
After former PDP North west zone secretary, Barrister Baba Aliyu moved the motion for endorsement that was seconded by the PDP North west zone PRO, and Southern Kaduna political bigwig, Malam Husseini Dembo, Yero reiterated his closeness to his late boss, Sir Patrick Yakowa even more than the self-acclaimed Yakowa boys at the well-attended PDP town hall meeting in Kaduna.
The incumbent governor and his deputy had also enjoyed support from the 23 local government councils, their own local government council of Zaria and Jaba respectively and the PDP leadership in the state.
The Kaduna state Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, who doubles as Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Council, Hon. Danjuma Akuso, led 21 other council Chairmen to support Governor Yero for the 2015 election saying he deserved it. He said council chairmen had never had it so good in Kaduna state, as they are given free rein on the use of their 100% revenue allocation.
The state lawmakers led by Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly Hon. Shehu Tahir also rendered their support to Yero, who they said has provided good governance to the people and deserved to be endorsed for the 2015 election.
They all have a Herculean task to rouse the people at the grassroots level in support of their candidate, as that is where majority of the campaign and the votes would come from.
However, Governor Yero’s aspiration to return to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House come 2015 is expected to meet stiffer hurdles from the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), which has been growing in bounds and leap in the state, though the party in its run-in to the 2015 elections has been rocked severally by crises – with accusations and counter-accusations of undemocratic actions by some of the aspirants.
APC has the Director General of the APC Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Salihu Mohammed Lukman, former minister of FCT, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, former accountant general of Kaduna state and 2011 gubernatorial candidate of the defunct CPC, Alhaji Sa’eed Haruna Kajuru and member House of Representatives, Hon Isah Ashiru as its governorship aspirants.
The APC contest, which looks like a Northern Kaduna local derby has already thrown up dusts and dirt with lots of mudslinging which, if care is not taken, can tear the party apart.
Isah Ashiru is believed to have the best grassroots structure and support, but he just defected from the ruling PDP, which may count against him. Saeed Kajuru has top experience of having been fielded in the race by one of the legacy parties just four years ago and that would be of huge advantage to him.
Nasir el-Rufai may lack the required structure and grassroots support, but having latched onto General Muhammadu Buhari and being endorsed by the APC presidential candidate ties his fortune to that of the former head of state. He brought in the party leadership and would dictate to them, which may work for him if the control and supervision from Abuja is lacking during the primaries.
Salihu is the greenhorn but silent strategist who seemingly has the best and most practical plan for his aspiration and the party but he lacks the necessary popularity among the party members especially the elites at the state level despite hobnobbing with other APC governors from across the country.