As the 31st October 2015 rescheduled Borno Central Senatorial district bye-election draws by, the political tension in the senatorial district has taken a new dimension as political campaigns hit the state on all fronts by supporters and members of political parties vying for the seat, most significantly, APC, PDP and Kowa Party. SADIQ ABUBAKAR takes a look at the development and chances of parties in the election.
The Borno central senatorial bye election which was declared vacant by INEC following the demise of the senator representing Borno central senatorial district at the national assembly senator Khalifa Ahmed zaman in April 2015 few weeks after his ‘re election as APC senatorial candidate having decamped suddenly from the PDP , the seat he contested under the President Goodluck Jonathan led PDP government in 2011 but shifted his political loyalty immediately his archrival the former Borno state governor senator Ali Modu Sheriff declared his political interest for PDP immediately after the March 2015 general elections.
Unfortunately for late Zanna Khalifa he could not witness his swearing ceremony in May 2015 as he passed away in April 2015 just few weeks after his ‘re election as a result of a protracted illness.
It was few months later that INEC scheduled the bye election on 14th October 2015 nevertheless it was re scheduled for 31st October 2015 after some complaints and logistics. Reasons from the state government which including non- return of Borno state pilgrims from Saudi Arabia who are eligible voters sponsored by the state government as well as most of the state executive council members and members of the state house of assembly were still at the holy land and may not return home boron before the 14th October 2015 among others.
However, the adjustment of the election date created tension and panic within the political space of the state and opportunities for more opposing political parties to project their senatorial candidates increasing the number of the senatorial contenders to jump from two prominent candidates of the APC ruling parry Hon. Baba kaka Bashir Garbai and Hon. Kaka Boloriof the chief opposition party PDP to include those of the KOWA Party Hoinourable Umar Mustapha Kumshe, Alhaji Bukar Mohammed of the All Progressives People Alliance APGA and that of the Social Democratic Party SDP Alhaji Babakura Sheriff Modu, all seeking the same political interest as Borno Central senatorial District Senator at the National Assembly.
This gross rivalry and political struggle conspicuously divided the APC ruling party into factions and may give the strongest opposition political party an advantage to win the said bye election.
Ironically if the APC ruling party in Borno state will not return to the drawing board and strategize or renew its plans to tactically wrestle the battle of the SENATORIAL seat going by the facts that many members and supporters of the APC ruling have covertly and overtly vowed never to vote any APC candidate henceforth out of grievances they have with the state government over negligence and use and dump saga which many have accused the incumbent state governor Kashim Shettima of no longer catering or caring for them since they ‘re elected him as governor for the second term to complete his ongoing projects.
Some supporters and members of the APC have even out rightly been on air at the Maiduguri based media outfit station and some foreign electronic media indicting some key government officials and even accusing the governor against the electorates without any respond or rejoinder from the APC as party or the state government.
Similarly, most youths and women out of their level of poverty, hunger and starvation have complained generally of being used and dumped by the APC ruling party which may give the other political party candidates some advantages at the polls in Saturday 31st October 2015.
The political gimmicks seems to be creating a vacuum and weakening the political class from the choice of the right candidate as every political party mounts its campaign strategy with seriousness and the opposition’s are gradually getting relevance out of annoyance with the government on the basis that, the electorates are no longer catered for by the APC ruling party why the opposition’s are accusing the state government of negligence of IDPs and youths rendered idle and jobless without any alleviation.
It is envisaged that the opposition’s may capitalize in the shortcomings or weaknesses if the ruling party to does not rise to its responsibility and meet up with the expectation of the majority of the people.
Hence every sector of the state economy is complaining and really not happy or comfortable with the present situation on ground where nothing is moving, everything seems to be at a standstill and even government activities seems to be paralyzed talk more of activities at the markets, schools, banks and other social areas or places couple with the security challenges.
Many have generally lamented or complained that things are changed and completely at zero level with only a few hands circulating one or two things having the advantage to be at the corridors of power of the state government as even the local government councils operate from IDPs.
While others are of the opinion that the era of voting candidates because of President Muhammadu Buhari is over, many are excepting voting of candidates based on merits and qualifications. No more APC sentiment but popular candidate and choice will emerge.
Therefore, a political party without a popular and acceptable candidate may stand the chance of losing election out of majority or popular votes or choice of the people.
