By Danladi Ndayebo
It is no longer news that the race for Minna Government House is a straight one between Umar Mohammed Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Abubakar Sani Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The reason for this keen competition in Niger state is not far-fetched. Like in the remaining states, with the exception of Ogun and Oyo where the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is poised for a big fight, in the Power state, only the PDP and APC are in the reckoning of the electorate.
Although the Action Alliance (AA), United Peoples Party (UPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will be on the ballot for the April 11 governorship poll, majority of the people in the state can hardly recall the names of their candidates. This leaves the ring for Nasko and Bello who now seem set for the 100 metres dash.
Currently, opinions are sharply divided on the likely outcome of the poll. While PDP supporters believe that Nasko’s brand identity and the strength of PDP structure will deliver the votes, APC thinks that the popularity of General Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s presidential candidate, would create a band wagon effect on the governorship election in the state.
But an objective analyst would see that the key indicators to determine the winner between the two gladiators lie more on how their campaigns have progressed in the last three months, how their popularities have been perceived and how the messages of their parties have resonated with the people of the state.
Pundits have predicted a keen contest, but a close look at the situation reveals the clear edge that Nasko has over Bello in almost every area of assessment. This conclusion stems not just from the way Nasko has managed to project himself to a level in which he is seen as capable and well-prepared for the task ahead, but also because the message of the APC and its candidate is not well received by the people.
First, the manner in which the PDP Candidate ran his campaigns for only six weeks before winning the primary election last December showed his deftness and ability to gain useful grounds in good time. Nasko is currently employing the same strategy – holding robust engagements with the media and combining mega rallies with consistent meetings with all the strata of the society.
He has also employed state of the art print adverts, world class jingles, television documentaries, town hall meetings and grand rallies that communicate the strength of his party and his popularity to the people.
His first shot was the Sai Nasko sound track that was composed by Suleiman Zakiru, a popular Tijjaniya musician. The jingle and others put together by the internationally acclaimed Sibombo singers have taken over the airwaves in and beyond the state.
But by far the most outstanding of Nasko’s communications strategy is the commercial and sound track video, Think Niger, Vote Nasko, featuring the candidate himself communicating his manifesto to the people of the state. The APC standard bearer is yet to do something that would match this video, in terms of concept, content and creativity.
Only last week Umar Nasko hit the 5000 maximum mark of friends on facebook and over 60,000 likes on his page.
The same edge is seen in his twitter handle followership. Nasko’s edge over Bello in both the traditional and the new media has a lot to do with the consistency of his campaign strategy and richness of his rallies, meetings, visitations and town hall meetings.
It is also impossible to ignore the successes recorded by the current administration of Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu which have also given Nasko an edge in the impending contest. At every campaign, Nasko makes reference to projects that have either been commissioned by the PDP government or ongoing.
That Nasko was a key player in the Babangida Aliyu administration, whose achievements have come to be regarded as a revolution of sorts for upwards of seven years gives the PDP candidate a head start in this contest.
It is still fresh in the memories of the people of the state how as tourism and culture commissioner, Nasko hosted the National Festival of Arts (NAFEST) that has not seen an equal since inception. He revived all the tourism sites and all the comatose and unsightly places have become not only money spinners but reference points. A visit to Gurara Waterfall evinces the treasure of Niger hitherto untapped and unknown to the world.
At the ministry of works, Nasko stamped his seal of excellence. The rural and township road network that he carried out speaks volumes of the competence of the PDP candidate. When he was seconded to the youths’ ministry youths and the young at heart never had it so good. Etched in the mind is the reservoir of knowledge and the ability to assert themselves as future leaders whose tomorrow starts from today.
Nasko’s stint at the ministry of environment changed the face of Niger’s topography and his investment in climate change forms a pattern for other states to follow. No wonder, when he became chief of staff, he had seen it all.
And as a team player, he never shirked responsibility nor abdicated his chosen path of greatness. Humble, unassuming, articulate and trustworthy, Nasko often brings to his jobs a selfless disposition that thrust him up for greater service to God and humanity.
This disposition is consistent with the mission and vision of the Niger state Chief Servant, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, to raise the bar in public service and sustenance of a legacy of honour.
Ndayebo is Niger state’s Commissioner for Information, Communication and Integration