Alhaji Lawan Maikusa is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Gombe State. In this interview with CHAMBA SIMEH, Maikasuwa, opens up on sundry issues playing out in the state.
Sir, as one of the notable youths in PDP that supports the present administration of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, how can you describe his first term, his victory in the 2015 general elections and the expectations on his second tenure?
Although, the question seems too ambiguous but to give them the best attention, I will start with the first tenure. We as the citizens and you the journalists are in a better position to assess the first tenure of His Excellency, Gov. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo who we referred to as, the only man standing. When he took power in 2011, things were to a large extent in shambles, especially the security situation and other components of the economy. But armed with the determination to give his best to the good people of Gombe State, Dankwambo has in collaboration with the 11-sector based committee formulated a working template for agricultural, education, economic development, among other infrastructural development. Indeed, as from that moment Dankwambo swung into action by initiating thousands of projects for the construction and renovation of primary and secondary schools, hospitals, health centres, maternity centres, construction of bridges, earth dams, water boreholes, roads, culverts and what have you to the extent that a foreign investor described Gombe state as a fast growing economic state. In boosting agricultural sector as alternative measures to shoot up the internally generated revenue, millions of bags of fertilizers were made available to farmers at a much-subsidized rate together with the provision of tractors. Women and youths were trained in various artisan and self-employment schemes in order to boost their employment opportunities. Projects too numerous to be mentioned here, have clearly distinguished the stewardship of the Talban Gombe from the other hit and run politicians that viewed leadership in a different mirror.
Could that be attributed to his reemergence for the second term, especially at a time when the wind of change swept most of his colleagues in other states?
As we all believe, power belongs to God, as He gives and takes power at a time He so wishes. Therefore, on Dankwambo’s victory, we first have to acknowledge the power of God before other human factors.
What are the human factors?
As I earlier said, Dankwambo’s laudable achievements in his first tenure were explicitly everywhere and even a casual visitor to the state can attest to that. All what I have mentioned here are physical projects and structures that would stand the test of time and could be enjoyed and utilized by the generation yet born.
Did the gesture expand to the second tenure?
After his victory in the last election, despite being challenged by his two opponents from Election Tribunal, Court of Appeal and lastly the Supreme Court, determined to move the state forward he continued with the ongoing projects and initiated new ones which include about six roads in Jekadafari ward in Gombe Local Government and many parts of the state.
We are less than three years away from the 2019 general elections. Already some hopefuls and their supporters have started mapping out strategies to showcase their candidates, what’s your take on that?
Sincerely I cannot say they started too early but the three years in a four- year journey is very significant and there’s need for us to support the incumbent governor to accomplish his mission and equally finish the ongoing projects rather than unnecessarily overheating the polity at this early stage that could derail the government. And when the appropriate time comes, only a person that will continue with the Dankwambo’s laudable projects will get our support as we will resist those that venture into politics to accumulate wealth than develop the state.
You are instrumental to Dankwambo’s second coming and one of those visibly supporting the present administration, especially on the social media (Facebook). What could be your motivating factor?
You see, we have to look at the state then its leadership and Dankwambo has proved himself taking Gombe Project beyond any other thing. And if at all we have the state in mind, we are left with no option than rally round him and give him all the necessary support he requires from us. The social media has been used by the opposition and their cohorts in blackmailing government and its policies no matter how those policies could contribute to the development of the state and therefore, there’s need for us to accord him with all the necessary support so that the opposition wouldn’t distract him from doing what he ought to be doing for the betterment of the state in general.
