MUAZU ABARI writes from Yola on the impending political battle for the soul of Adamawa South between the incumbent Senator Binos Yaroe and Alhaji Adamu Atiku Abubakar, eldest son of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the Commissioner for Works and Energy in the state
Complexity of Adamawa South politics
Adamawa South senatorial district is the most complex and highly unpredictable zone in Adamawa state, which politics is always characterised by uncertainties synonymous with a lion’s den, It is an arena where one easily signs his political death warrant, where only the brave-hearted can dare and keep afloat for long, as it continues to consume so many tested politicians despite their popularity.
It is, therefore, not surprising that since 2007 when Senator Jonathan Zwingina left the seat, no other senator in the zone has succeeded to return for second term irrespective of his or her performance.
Not even performance can guarantee re-election
If performance is the yardstick to win re-election in the zone, analysts believe that there is nothing that would have stopped Senator Grace Bent who was believed to have performed creditably well from returning to her seat in 2011. She is adjudged to be the best so far in the history of the senetorial district but still she was replaced despite her performance.
Binos emergence and work
It was amid this reality that Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe emerged like hurricane sweeping away the then incumbent Senator Mohammad Abubakar Moallayidi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the dustbin of history after his only one term in office to emerge as a new senator representing Adamawa south in 2019 elections.
On assumption of office Senator Binos demonstrated capacity to give his people effective representation in the National Assembly.
Apart from making the voice of his people heard by always bringing their challenges to national attention, standing with them in terms of needs and troubles and providing succour to victims of attacks.
He has sponsored three bills in the Senate that have direct bearing on the lives of his people namely; a bill for the establishment of School of Mines and Geological Studies Guyuk, a bill for the establishment of School of Forestry Toungo and a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Education Numan within his short time in the Senate which are at various legislative stages.
In terms of democratic dividends, barely two months after inauguration, Binos organised a five-day free medical outreach in Demsa local government where over 8000 constituents benefited and treated on various ailments such as general body illness, fibroid, appendicitis, cataracts, dental cases, surgeries among others.
This was subsequently followed by another round of free medical outreaches in four local governments namely Ganye, Guyuk and Mayo Belwa, with over 21,000 beneficiaries as the five other council’s await their turn.
The most celebrated aspects of these medical outreaches were that of Demsa and Guyuk where a 24-year old Edmond Eli who lost his sight at the age of three and lived with blindness for 21 years, got healed through her magnanimity and he was able to set his eyes on his parents for the first time in 21 years.
There was also the story of a 16-year old Bilkisu Adamu who was born without opening in her private part but got cured through Binos medical interventions, among other breakthroughs.
He has also recorded milestone achievements in the areas of procurements and distribution of transformers to communities to boost power supply, drilling of motorised boreholes in Jada, Demsa, Numan, Guyuk, lamurde, sponsored skills acquisition, empowerment programmes and distribution of sewing and grinding machines, gave financial support and other empowerment tools.
Despite these, those who are not satisfied with his representation dismissed his achievements with a wave of hand, accussing him of below performance and expectations in addition to abandoning critical stakeholders of the zone and those who worked to bring him to office.
Already, the plot to replace him in 2023 has thickened in Adamawa South with various stakeholders and groups who want him replaced working in the field for other candidates of their choices or dragging others into the race ahead of 2023 election.
Underground moves to replace Binos
One contender that will likely challenge Senator Binos for the senatorial seat of come 2023, whose name continues to spread like wild fire across the length and breadth of the district is Alhaji Adamu Atiku Abubakar.
Adamu is currently Adamawa state Commissioner for Works and Energy who is also the eldest son of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Although, he is yet to declare his intention to vie for the seat, having maintained that “time is not yet ripe for such declaration” but already subtle moves to get him replace Binos have gone far with his so many foot soldiers and support groups working day and night to ensure his emergence.
Described as a brilliant, determined, focused and hard working young man, he spent the greater part of his working career in the private sector.
His admirers said he has carved a niche for himself in his field of endeavour and they have now seen the need to get him cut his teeth by joining active politics to contribute his quota to the development of his society.
Adamu as a trusted ally of Gov Fintiri
Those routing for him said he came into the political limelight of the state in the build up to 2019 election when he decided to abandon his lucrative private sector job and participated actively in the politics of the state, especially, the struggle that led to the emergence of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
He was subsequently rewarded with appointments as the Commissioner for Works and Energy Development.
Why Adamu switched over to politics
According to a source close to Adamu “the decision for Adamu to switch from private sector to politics is not unconnected with the belief in most quarters that his father, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose most children are in private sector, has come to realise the need for him to groom a successor among his children to enable them master the art of politics and garner the needed experience so as to take over from him when he finally retires from active politics, hence the decision to bring Adamu on board.”
As a commissioner, his followers said “he has performed credibly and creditably well with so many milestones recorded in the ministry under his watch, especially, in the areas of completion of abandoned projects, constructions of roads and massive infrastructural drive which have increased his popularity and further endeared him to the heart of the governor”.
Observers of Adamawa politics say, “the governor see him as a trusted and dependable political ally in the services of the state in addition to the diligent manner he is performing his responsibilities.”
“His intimidating record of achievements in office, community development efforts and support to various communities especially in his senatorial district and various humanitarian interventions to the less privileged remain his greatest strength.”
They argue that apart from this his grassroots connection, his father’s political influence and support base as well as his strong financial warchest and ability to deploy them appropriately will further boost his chances in the election.
Political analyst in the state said, “If he (Adamu) finally answers the clarion call of his people to contest for the senatorial seat of the zone, this will amount to trouble for the incumbent.
Other political watchers said it would be a tough political battle which proimises to spring surprises in the election, more so that, he has the financial capability, grassroot support and connection to withstand any one that stands on his way”.
No doubt, according to observers that he is likely to get the endorsement of the governor in the election against the incumbent who although has a cordial relationship with Fintiri but is not seen as part of the inner caucus of the administration.
Adamu’s response to his senatorial ambition
When asked about his ambition in an interview with some journalists while giving the scorecard of Fintiri’s one year in office, he said. “I will be honest with you, of course, I have heard calls and cries from my people to vie for senate in 2023 and I said thank you, I appreciate.
“As I said earlier, it is a fresh start like any other person who takes a new journey, he will like to grow. So I also like to grow and wherever that growth will take me to, only God knows.
“I could have joined politics long before now but I was in the private sector representing the family interest and at the same time it was a bit too early so my father worked on me to spend more years in private sector to get enough experience that will portray me well in public life hence where I am today.
So I am basically here to serve my people diligently and also to grow politically. I have just started my political journey wherever that road will take me to, only God knows.
“One of the reason why I accept this appointment is to serve my people and give back to society .I have been privileged enough to come from the family of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, my father who is also my mentor, my good friend, my boss and my everything. I worked in the private sector for about 29 years. Besides, the fact that, I’m trying to follow his footsteps, I also thought it was time I took up new challenges and the only challenge I could think of is politics”.
Other possible contender
Another politician whose name is also being thrown up is Hon. Kwamoti La’ori, the member representing Numan/Demsa/Lamurde federal constituency
Even though there is also the possibility of Hon. Kwamoti La’ori joining the race as calls for him intensifies in recent times but the question in the lips of most people is that can Senator Binos make new history and break the jinx of re-election in Adamawa South come 2023 or follow his predecessors to political oblivion.
His supporters believe that his performance will make him a hard nut to crack while those who want him replaced believe that his days in the senate are numbered but only time will tell.
