In search of credible leaders for Gombe State

There has been a desperate horse trading involving Governor Danjuma Goje to anoint a successor. Everyone knows that Goje’s decision to anoint a successor is not based on the competence of the person to lead the people of Gombe but for his continued protection and soft landing after leaving office. I read several newspapers in recent times with different analysis of those likely to succeed Gov. Goje in 2011. Some of these names that are repeatedly mentioned are: Usman Bayero, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tawar Wada, Inuwa Yahaya, Dasuki Jalo-Waziri, Arabs Rukuje, Ahmed Walama, Abdullahi Idris, Habu Mu’azu and Faruk Bamusa. Of all these names only Habu Mu’azu is said to be the one that can face Goje anyday, anytime and anywhere. None of the others has shown seriousness apart from Mu’azu because they are all waiting for Gov. Goje to say be before they act.
Some of those waiting to contest for the elections are oiling their machinery well in advance. I will attempt an analysis on some of them to show that Gombe State is really endowed with credible people that could be called to public service.

Alh. Bala Magaji, Magajin gari as he is fondly called is a member of Gombe Emirate Council. A very experienced public servant, he had served in various capacities since the creation of Gombe State. He was Goje’s secretary to the government before his demotion by Goje to Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education. Political watchers in Gombe State thought that after his removal as Secretary to the State Government, he will be compensated with a ministerial appointment but this did not happen. Bala Magaji’s assets are his humility, unassuming disposition and the strong backing he has from the traditional institutions in the state who see him as their own. His weakness is that he has limited resources to boost his campaign.

Dr.  Ibrahim Jalo Daudu is one of the newly appointed federal permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. He was former Governor Hashidu’s Head of Service in Gombe State. A medical doctor by profession, he was formally a director of administration in the office of the special assistant to the president on Millennium Development Goals. His strong point is that he is easy going, well experienced and cerebral. His major weakness is that he is highly unpredictable.

Engnr. Sa’ad Abubakar Majidadi is morally upright, experienced and educated. An engineer by profession, he was born in Gombe State in 1952. He is a staunch PDP member and Governor Goje’s campaign organization member. He was chairman, Gombe PDP Reconciliation Committee. His membership of Gombe State Transition Committee that brought Goje into office was expected to bring him closer to the Goje government but the reverse is the case. He was so betrayed that he is now enjoying tremendous public sympathy politically in Gombe State.

Abubakar Usman Faruk is amiable and a likable fellow. He holds a Masters Degree in Law. Abubakar foray into politics began when he was appointed as Secretary of PDP Presidential Peace Initiative Committee in Gombe State in 2002. Abubakar is married to the eldest daughter of Governor Goje. Abubakar’s assets is his discipline, humility and respect for elders. His weakness is that because he spent most of his life outside Gombe, he is relatively unknown to a lot of people.

 Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe who the Nigerian sporting media named Gara-Gombe was born in 1966. He is highly innovative and was voted as Gombe State’s most enterprising youth in 2002. He was twice invited by both Goje and Hashidu governments to rescue Gombe United Football Club as chairman from relegation, a task which he accomplished successfully. His main assets is that he enjoys tremendous grassroots support among the youth in Gombe State and he is a mobilizer per excellence. His weakness is that he could be very controversial sometimes.

Umaru Kwairanga, Sarkin Fulani has been a banker and a close associate of Usman Bayero. His greatest asset is his ability to analyze professional issues particularly financial issues. Another of his strong points is that he is strikingly rich, young and dynamic. His weakness is that he has no grassroots support.

Mohammed Kabir Ahmed is the current Director General of the National Pension Commission. A Technocrat per excellence and highly educated, his performance at PENCOM has dispelled the doubt of anyone who doubted his ability prior to his appointment. But he is relatively unknown and too isolated and reserved.

Alh. Jalal Arabi is a lawyer and legal adviser to President Umaru Yar’adua. He is very influential in some quarters, quite, calculating and unassuming. Jalal has tremendous experience in public service. His closeness to Yar’adua is his greatest assets and his weakness is that he is too far away from grassroots politics.

Mamood writes from JJ 9, Ibadan Street, Kaduna