2019
is approaching and Nigeria’s political landscape is changing, thanks to
the heat being generated by the resurgence of partisan politics in the
build up to the next round of presidential and general elections when a
new set of executives and legislators would grace the political scene.
For some people, 2019 is still too
far, but for us in Bauchi state; however, 2019 is not that far which
therefore underscores the imperative for setting the pace of the
struggle for determining the political future of the state. The
necessity for doing so is accentuated by the glaring desperation by some
dreamers to hijack power and by so doing, halt the march to glory and
prosperity which the governor, M.A Abubakar is resolved to fast track.
As a full blooded son of the soil, who
after his graduation, has spent the better part of his working career in
the state and has therefore witnessed the rise and fall of Bauchi under
successive administrations, M.A Abubakar assumed the mantle of
leadership fully prepared to give the state the leadership it deserves.
And this exactly what is he has been doing since his ascension to
office.
For those who know him, however,
Governor Abubakar has been an administrator par excellence, a stickler
for due process and an apostle of change from the reckless manner Bauchi
State was misruled in the not too distant past.
It is, therefore, borne out of
conviction for continuity of the progressive and people oriented
leadership style of Governor M.A Abubakar that prominent citizens
locally resident or in diaspora and other friends of Bauchi State
floated Project 2019, which sole objective is working for his
re-election to continue with the good works he has so for initiated. The
project 2019 initiative, a brain child of private individuals,
indigenes and non-indigenes, community groups and politicians alike, is
driven by patriotism and is about continuity of the dynamic leadership
of the governor who is strongly bent on engineering a process of reform
aimed at achieving a radical transformation of the socio - economic
fabric of Bauchi State. Project 2019 is about the imperative of
mobilizing the masses, workers traditional rulers and all social forces
that have benefited from the policies and programmes of the All
Progressive Congress (APC) administration in the state to work toward
insuring that the party retains power in the state and the Nation in
general in 2019.
For the avoidance of doubt, M.A
Abubakar’s transparent, focused and result oriented leadership have not
gone unnoticed as reflected in the appreciation, recognition and honours
conferred on him at home and abroad. For instance, in 2016, Nigerian
Civil Society Group in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission (ICPC) conferred an award on him as the most
prudent Governor in spending the hail out funds provided by President
Muhammadu Buhari to state governments across the Federation. This
followed a forum convened by the two groups where each of the 36
Governors of the Federation was expected to come and defend his handling
of the bailout funds granted by the Federal Government. Unfortunately,
most of the 36 Governors failed to attend, the only exception being
Governor Abubakar who came and gave a detailed account of how every kobo
of the bailout funds were spent. In the same vein Democracy Group
Africa in recognition of his good government and transparent leadership
conferred on him, the prestigious Nelson Mandela award for Excellence.
M.A Abubakar was in this very year (2017) recognized as best Governor in
Urban renewal and infrastructure by the Abuja Housing show. The
Interparty Advisory Council also conferred on him an award for
Excellence in Peace Tolerance and Stability in the North East Region.
These awards underscore the giant
strides made under Governor Abubakar towards the rehabilitation of
infrastructure like roads, schools, healthcare delivery facilities and
water supply among others. Indeed, it is a matter of fact that there is
no community in Bauchi State that has a not benefitted from one project
or the other initiated by this administration.
The above awards apart, M.A Abubakar
is the only Chief Executive to date that has been conferred with a
traditional title by the six Emirate Councils of the state since its
creation. The Bauchi Emirate Council conferred on him the prestigious
title of Makama Babba. Governor Abubakar was also turbaned as the Sarkin
Bauran Katagum by the Katagum Emirate Council. In Misau Emirate
Council, he was turbaned as Magajin Gwanin Misau while Jama’are and
Ningi Emirate Councils conferred on him the titles of Marafan Ningi and
Magayakin Jama’are respectively. Dass Emirate Council turbaned him as
Matawallen Dass. The conferment of traditional titles on the governor is
not limited to his home state but extends to others states. In this
context, the conferment of the title of Sarkin Yakin Lamidon Akko by the
Akko Emirate Council is worth mentioning.
Precisely, Governor Abubakar’s
achievements have been subject of appreciation and recognition in
Nigeria and abroad. That is why the forces behind Bauchi Project 2019
have dedicated their efforts to ensuring that he secures a second term
of office to continue the progressive leadership he is providing to
Bauchi State.
Mohammed sent this piece from Wunti, Bauchi.
Read more at https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bauchi-where-continuity-is-best-option.html#7u7Zhtl5xt5XZVFk.99
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