WHY I LIKE BAUCHI POLITICS - Dr. Bukata Bukar

For those who know, Bauchi as a state has always been at the forefront of political activities in Nigeria. During the pre-independence days, notable and renowned teachers such as Mal. Saadu Zungur and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa made Bauchi the centre of politics in Nigeria, particularly when the former became the first northern opposition leader.

Mal Saadu Zungur also facilitated and spearheaded the Norther Nigeria Youth Movement and Bauchi Discussion Circle in 1944 and also participated in the formation of Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) in 1950. On the other hand, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria. He was first elected to the Northern House of Assembly in 1944 and to the legislative council in 1947. Together with Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardaunan Sokoto, they formed the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and Sir Abubakar became its first Vice President.

In my understanding, what made these two great Bauchi personalities outstanding is fundamentally their teaching profession. To teach is to convey facts and truth. They were both courageous and truthful. They were also sincere and honest. I have the conviction that Bauchi people learned these attributes very well in politics and have been putting it into practice over the years.

From my observations, in Bauchi politics, imposition and exclusions have always been orphans sooner than later. Perhaps some examples will suffice.

Former Gov Ahmed Adamu Muazu was governor for 8 years from 1999-2007. At the end of his tenure, he imposed a candidate in the person of Alh Umar Nadada and the story changed with many of us becoming unexpected beneficiaries of that poor decision in 2007. Mal. Isa Yuguda succeeded Alh. Ahmed Adamu Muazu in 2007 as governor in what was described as "revolution" during the 2007 guber election in the state when the opposition ANPP won. 

However, towards the 2015 election and during the primary elections at Multipurpose Sports Hall in the late hours, a walkout was staged by some guber contestants on the grounds that the gov had a preferred candidate in the person of Hon Awwal Jatau who eventually became the PDP guber flag bearer. Unfortunately, Bauchi people rejected our candidate during the election in 2015 and we all failed and the opposition APC carried the victory. Therefore one had the bad experiences of what imposition and exclusion can lead to.

As if these were not enough, the APC Gov M.A. Abubakar was rejected for a second tenure by Bauchi people during the 2019 guber elections mainly on account of non-performance and politics of exclusions. For this reason, the current Gov Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of the opposition PDP was elected. At his victory, many of us jubilated but cautioned that everyone should be carried along to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors. 

However, and to the contrary and surprises, in less than a year we saw many resignations of cabinet members, suggesting that things were not going well with the administration. The last was the defection of the former Speaker HOR, RT Hon Dogara Yakubu from PDP to APC. The former Speaker had made substantial sacrifices of time and resources to ensure PDP had the victory. Since all these incidences started, we have been hearing of allegations and counter allegations almost in a defeaning manner.

I wrote a piece yesterday on alleged attempts to manipulate and impose candidates for the forthcoming local government elections fixed for 17 October, 2020. Allegations are in the air that the list of Stakeholders for most local govts were drawn by the Party at state level without the knowledge of many of the stakeholders and that this was a deliberate act for the fear that the allegiance of some stakeholders cannot be trusted. This is nothing but the beginning of politics of exclusions.

In partisan politics, you can only gauge or measure loyalty by engagements. You don't sit in the comfort of your office and expect individuals to troop to you for you to know they are with the Party or your govt. It is your duty to look for people. The likes of our foundation politicians such as Saadu Zungur and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa lobbied the people to get their supports. They never sat in their offices and profile individuals based on their inner fears. It is becoming clearer that most of those in offices are not doing well in terms of lobbying and are putting the govt under pressure.

Therefore, for some of us that are of the PDP, we must say the truth to save the future. This is for the benefits of the party and not for any indivual. I still maintain my stand that politics of inclusion must be upheld and practice or else the opposition will have their way as it happened in the past.

In conclusion, Bauchi is politically enlightened where godfatherism, imposition and exclusions are orphans. Fly these kites and the opposition wins. Bauchi politics is never run on sentiments or exclusions but fairness and justice to all.

My Opinion!