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Against all odds, Murtala Nyako succeeded in getting reelected for a second term as the Governor of Adamawa State. Although he hopes to use his victory as a golden opportunity to chart a new course for the state, many are apprehensive about how he intends to run his administration this time around. MUAZU ABARI examines the expectations and challenges confronting Nyako’s administration.
Against all odds, Murtala Nyako succeeded in getting reelected for a second term as the Governor of Adamawa State.
Although he hopes to use his victory as a golden opportunity to chart a new course for the state, many are apprehensive how he intends to run his administration this time around. MUAZU ABARI examines the expectations and challenges confronting Nyako’s administration.
There is a general belief among the people of Adamawa that Nyako has performed better than his predecessor despite the fact that the state is still facing numerous challenges to its development. Thus, some people rightly or wrongly perceive the administration as the most controversial in the history of the state.
According to them, since Nyako’s ascension to power, he has stepped on many toes and fallen out with several influential political juggernauts in the state most of whom contributed greatly in bringing him into the political limelight. This also provides ammunition for the opposition elements in the state to criticize the government whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Since he took another oath of office which signified the commencement of his second tenure, there has been a lot of disquiet and confusion among the residents of the state who are still in the dark about how Nyako intend to run the state in this second tenure which still remains unclear as the government is yet to settle down.
This apprehension and uncertainty was further compounded by the fact that the administration is yet to put the necessary machinery on ground that will lead to the smooth take up of the government. As of today, the governor has not yet constituted his cabinet or made other vital appointments of individuals who will assist him in the running the government neither has he revealed the policy direction of his administration.
A source close to the government confided to LEADERSHIP that the governor has no intention of changing his policy direction in this second tenure considering the high level of praise the government has received from most of the people in the state who expressed their contentment with the government for the bold steps it took to transform the state.
“Governor Nyako is satisfied with the commendations and accolades his administration continued to receive from the people of the state since his assumption of office.
He has no intention of changing the policy direction of his government but rather he intends to keep on the good work he has started so far and I can assure you that his best is yet to come as he plans to supersede his previous achievements” the source stated. He added that Nyako will give priority to the education sector, health care delivery system, road constructions, employment opportunities and agriculture among other vital sectors.
Another source told LEADERSHIP that the governor at the moment, seems to be in a state of confusion and dilemma as a result of many complications but he will soon come out with a comprehensive blue print for the development of Adamawa taking into consideration some lapses which characterized his tenure.
Therefore, there is a possibility of a shift in the policy direction and style to avoid the mistakes of the past now that he is on the last lap of his administration.
When asked about what the people of the state should expect from Nyako’s second coming, the source said that the people of Adamawa should expect a more committed and passionate administration that is deeply concerned about fulfilling the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens. A government that will leave a durable and sustainable legacy that will not only stand the test of time but will also be a reference point in the history of the state.
The source also added that the governor is not in a haste to appoint commissioners and other vacant political positions because he wants to consult widely and ensure that the overall interests of the entire population of the state are protected.
Another source believed to be close to the present administration denied the impression that the Governor is confused and that the government is in a standstill as insinuated in some quarters. He described such statements as desperate efforts by the opposition to rubbish the Nyako administration.
According to the source, there are a lot of projects initiated by the administration which is still ongoing and he wonders why someone will claim that the state is at a standstill and express doubt over the direction of the governor’s policies which has prevailed since his reelection.
However, there is an ongoing rumour in some quarters that the inability of the administration to settle down and face the challenges of governance is as a result of many factors including the ongoing legal battle between the governor and his arch rival Engr. Markus Gundiri of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), who is currently challenging Nyako’s victory at election petition tribunal.
LEADERSHIP checks reveals that there is already in fighting, underground politicking and horse trading among various groups within the Adamawa PDP who are jostling for one position or the other in the yet to be constituted Nyako’s cabinet.
These issues compound the concerns of the governor as most of these groups contributed greatly to his reelection. The present battle is between the immediate past political appointees who want to stage a comeback and those who are yet to benefit from Nyako’s benevolence and want to secure a position in the yet to be constituted cabinet.
As politicians continue to battle each other to a standstill on who gets what, when, and how in Nyako’s cabinet, the average citizen in Adamawa is more concerned with how the government will positively impact on their lives through its programmes and policies for the next four years especially now the government has returned back to power with a lot of pressing and unresolved issues awaiting his attention.
Governor Nyako is currently confronted with many pending issues which need to be addressed if he must sustain his vision for the development of Adamawa. For instance, the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state have been an issue of great concern to most people who are anxiously looking forward to the restoration of democracy at the grassroots level which is currently run by career civil servants.
Several attempts to conduct elections in the council areas have been suspended by the state Independent Electoral Commission which has been postponing the scheduled council polls at the slightest opportunity.
This development is often exploited by opposition parties which accuse the state government of deliberately plotting to cripple the local government system by frustrating the elections. Analysts believe that this should be an issue of great concern to the Nyako administration which needs to be addressed with the urgency it deserves.
Additionally, most people are of the view that for Governor Nyako to make headway in the effective implementation of his administration’s policies and programs in his second term, he needs to address the issue of unpaid salaries .
The government still owes the state civil servants two months’ salary as a result of the strike action they embarked upon last year to press for the implementation of the 18,000 minimum wage.
This is seen as a very crucial issue considering the existing sour relationship between government and most civil servants in the state who are still nursing grudges against his administration for ignoring the importants of their roles in enabling the success of his policies.
As Governor Nyako kick starts his second term, destiny has bestowed upon him a golden opportunity to not only continue to help his people but also right the wrongs of the past by making the necessary adjustments and corrections where needed so as to salvage the future of Adamawa.
Most political analysts are of the view that one of the biggest challenges confronting the present administration is the urgent need to reconcile and unite the state taking into consideration the high level of polarization and tension which characterized the state in the build up to the recent gubernatorial election in the state.
This is seen as an inevitable task that must be done to create a conducive environment for his administration to succeed in its determination to enhance the development of Adamawa and improve the wellbeing of its people.
