By Muhammad Danbaba Mailafiya
The publication of an explicit picture of Governor Al-Makura’s administration, entitled ‘Nasarawa 2015: Moment of Truth’ of the Leadership of November 6, 2015 came as a shock to me as the writer, one Musa Iliya, went on and on to create a hoax of the situation of things in Nasarawa state into the tenure of Tanko Al-Makura as governor. Not only that he tried in his own way to rather paint black the latter’s system of governance in a knee-jerk reaction of delusive proportions and hail the former governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma’s commitment and determination to emancipate the people of the state from their political oppressors, as demonstrated by his unwavering support for the Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, during his eventful first term.
It will be good to note here that Nasarawa state, under the able leadership of Al-Makura (the peoples’ governor), has several on-going projects that will make the state compete favourably with others in the federation where the dividends of democracy are at their highest peak. The good people of Nasarawa state have only now begun to appreciate Al-Makura’s commitment to development that would enhance their well-being, provide a level playground and ensure speedy transformation in terms of both physiological and infrastructural needs. No doubt he has written his name with a golden pen in the hearts of the people. His administration is on a rescue mission with a view to enabling the citizens enjoy the much-touted dividends of democracy.
Accusing Al-Makura of ineptitude would be the case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Some of the security issues Iliya who comes off as a paid writer is talking about have been present in the state, even before its creation.
If Akwe Doma is a politician with such great appeal, why was he voted out in 2011? What is his performance record in various sectors of the state like? Iliya ought to know that although he is a true-blue protégé of a politician, readers have the right to draw their own conclusions. What he ought to emphasise is not Al-Makura’s perceived flaws but the credentials of his defeated predecessor. To say people are calling him ‘Baba’ and urging him to re-contest the seat he was woefully defeated on is not enough!
Al-Makura came from then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) an opposition party and defeated an incumbent governor who was contesting for a second term. If Iliya says people of Nasarawa state do not support Al-Makura’s mandates, then he is being economical with the truth.
Isn’t it the same Al-Makura that received unprecedented support when the presidency attempted to impeach him using the state legislators? Isn’t it the same Al-Makura who redefined the art of democratic leadership to the extent that people are now realising the essence of meaningful projects in all spheres? If Al-Makura is not that popular, what magic did he use to woo Senator Abdullahi Adamu into APC? Isn’t it the same Adamu who brought Doma in as PDP’s candidate in 2007 when he completed his second term? How come he is now in the same camp as Al-Makura and has left Doma dormant in the wilderness?
Iliya tried in vain to paint a picture of Baba Akwe Doma’s residence in Abuja being a ‘Mecca’ of sorts, where political hangers-on throng to get stipends. Well, fine and good, if that’s what floats his boats. It is a known fact that Akwe Doma’s political machinery does not have a fighting chance. He is believed to have been seeking ‘patronage’ and a way into the Villa for sort of romance with President Goodluck Jonathan, using Jonathan’s campaign in the state as an excuse. This is in line with what Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, once said; if a politician is dead broke, you will see him taxing his appointee while in power. When ‘Mai-Malfa’ beckoned on him, he will go to him cap-in-hand in order to keep afloat, referring to ex-governors who now support Jonathan knowing his administration has been a total failure. This is exactly what Iliya’s mentor is up to.
By and large, the piece is a futile attempt to exalt the lost political relevance of the defeated former governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, at the expense of the political support base of Al-Makura. Iliya did not only make fallacious clams, but tried to undermine the intelligence of the average reader, especially those conversant with the political happenings in the state. To say Al-Makura loses political support as the nation moves closer to the 2015 general polls, is blasphemous. In fact, Al-Makura is making history as one of the candidates who defeated an incumbent governor in a free and fair election as it was unduly adjudged. He is one of the few governors who was supported wholeheartedly by his people, many of whom were ready to lay down their lives when the presidency tried to play ‘monkey’ with the state legislators to impeach him.
Had Governor Murtala Nyako enjoyed this backing from the people of Adamawa state, he would still be the governor today. It is therefore advisable to the writer and his contractors to employ sensible and acceptable reasons in their criticism of Al-Makura next time
Danbaba wrote from Lafia