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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
For Comrade Nasir Idris, Governor of Kebbi State, the road to the 2027 general election seems too nearby. Despite his attempt to deliver good governance within two years in office, his opponents have not seen anything good about his administration.
His closest rivals from the two well known opposition parties seem not interested in sectors his administration has recorded tremendous progress. Both People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) ambitions, according to residents of the state, are just to seize power from the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
To many APC chieftains in the state, they keep wondering why the opposition parties and their leaders do not applaud the APC government for changing the state capital from a glorified local government headquarters to a befitting state capital like its contemporaries. They equally wonder why the opposition parties do not see the efforts of the government on the insecurity ravaging the Kebbi South Senatorial district before Governor Idris took over and how he was able to normalise the situation.
While assessing the administration of APC in the state, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kebbi State, which denounced all forms of political thuggery in the state, noted that Nigerians are not happy about the nation’s economy and insecurity under the APC government
ADC chieftain and former governorship aspirant under PDP in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammad Mera, stated this while briefing newsmen after the party’s stakeholders meeting in Birnin Kebbi, which was attended by the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Chika Malami, SAN.
Mera, who noted that there was no need to be engaging in thuggery because of politics, explained that members of ADC are law abiding and would continue to exercise their civil rights, in accordance with the country’s laws
“ Therefore, major stakeholders of the ADC in the state convened a crucial meeting to discuss the prevailing insecurity in the state and the emerging culture of political thuggery. Consequently, the ADC notes with serious concern the alarming rise in insecurity within Kebbi State and its adjoining communities. Cases of banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality have continued unabated, leaving citizens traumatised, farmlands deserted, and economic activities in decline.
“This regrettable situation, if left unchecked, threatens the very fabric of our society and the peace that Kebbi State has long been known for. Accordingly, we, therefore condemn in the strongest terms the current wave of insecurity and call on both the state and Federal Governments, as well as all security formations, to take immediate, coordinated, and intelligence-driven actions to restore law and order. The safety and welfare of the people must remain paramount,” Mera said.
Following the ADC’s criticism, a member of the Kebbi State cabinet, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told newsmen that Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris has done a lot to ensure adequate security for all people of the state especially those in Kebbi South Senatorial district and part of Kebbi North Senatorial District than any past administrations in the state.
“Go and check the record, no past administration in the state have done so much to the security agencies in this state like Governor Idris. Opposition parties have seen good things this administration have done in education sector, agriculture, road construction or provisions of infrastructure facilities and empowerment of women and Youths. I have not seen such government that have surpass this current administration. They are only criticising him on security which he inherited and he has restored normalcy in part of Kebbi South Senatorial district. Farmers have gone back to farms and things are getting better everyday. That is the fact”.
“If the Governor has not been doing well, why is it that many social and political groups are aligning with his administration everyday? I know our people in Kebbi State, if they hate any government, they would never move closer to such government. And 2027 is around corner, we shall see who the people of the state will support”, the source said.
Reacting to the ADC claims, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of APC in Kebbi State, Alhaji Issa Abubakar Assalafi cautioned the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, to refrain from apportioning blames of insecurity in the state on the state government. He noted that instead of blaming the current administration, they ought to commend efforts of the government at strengthening security across the state.
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Assalafi, noted that the ruling party wouldn’t have responded if the opposition party had acknowledged the efforts and progress made so far by the state government on security matters.
According to him “APC Kebbi State Chapter wouldn’t have joined issues with the ADC in Kebbi State on the outcome of its stakeholders’ meeting but for its glaring failure to acknowledge and appreciate the tremendous efforts being made by His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu the Executive Governor of Kebbi State on security matters since his assumption of office across the length and breadth of the state: the response becomes imperative.
“For ADC to continue apportioning blames on the state government on matters of security, clearly shows gross ignorance and contempt to security matters. The security issue is always being handled with utmost confidentiality due to the delicate nature of the situation unlike conventional war situations. It is a well-known fact, that His Excellency the Executive Governor works in collaboration with all the security Agencies in the state namely the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police, Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security, Vigilance Groups and Community Leaders in addressing these problems.
“Recently a sizable number of additional Vehicles and Motorcycles were distributed to them to boost operational engagements across the state and significant progress is being made in taming the menace going by latest reports from the frontline areas. It will interest every concern citizen of Kebbi State to know that in several areas where farming activities were hitherto impossible are now accessible with farming activities going on at the moment as a result of consistent efforts by the Executive Governor and Security Agencies in the State.
“It is expected that any opposition group, worthy of being called a political stakeholder should have been making valuable inputs for the good of the state not creating unease and unnecessary bickering capable of planting seeds of discord and hatred in the state,” APC spokesman said.
Assalafi added that the state APC leadership condemned the attitude of ADC leaders, especially Abubakar Malami the former Minister of Justice, who is always fomenting troubles in every vicinity he appears and urged Security Agencies to put him on their watchful list and do the needful to halt their negative approach to political engagements.
To the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru, opposition parties would not see any good about Governor Idris’ administration because they are afraid that within two years, he had recorded tremendous progress and changed a lot of things in the state. Zuru noted that they are out there to woo people based on sentiment for politicking sake, stressing that unknown to them, Governor Idris is on top of the game and would not be deterred by their noise making.
Zuru said: “democratic governance is all about the right of the people to exercise their franchise in electing credible persons with antecedent of selfless community service into elective positions. Comrade Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, a unionist and internationally acknowledged labour leader, had a fair knowledge of the people, their needs and aspirations, since he has been leaving with them all his life and he is conversant with their needs and aspirations before venturing into partisan politics.
“Therefore, it was not surprising to those familiar with his antecedents to see him overwhelmingly won the governorship election under the All Progressive Congress (APC)in the 2023 general election. The public expectations on Comrade Governor Nasir now being referred to as ‘Home grown Governor’ are overwhelming in view of his philanthropic gestures and undisputable record of honesty, generosity and sincerity.
“Determined to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people, the Comrade Governor came up with a comprehensive socio-economic development blueprint tagged continuity and urban renewal policy. Almost all the new landmark projects so far executed and the dilapidated infrastructures overhauled in various sectors have been widely publicised.”
Zuru added that the people of the state and electorate are fully in support of the present administration and no amount of unprofessional criticism from the opposition parties would distract the governor from forging ahead with his good works.
“It is on record that over N6b was last year distributed to over 600,000 women and youths selected from across the state to establish or increase their capital in their respective businesses. Establishment of four mega boarding secondary schools in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru for normal formal education and entrepreneur skills acquisition in addition to the declaration of free education for the indigenes from primary to university levels.
“With the unprecedented remarkable achievements recorded so far, the coast to 2027 elections for Comrade Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu appears to be clear and assured, Insha Allah”, Zuru said.
