Although there are complaints by some politicians in the opposition camp that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is not doing well in terms of welfare to politicians and monetary gifts to supporters, the popularity and good will he enjoys in the state at the moment is an indication that he may not be facing serious political hitches ahead of the governorship election in the state.
For instance, the major opponent of the governor Mohammed Barde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is enmeshed in internal crisis in his party, as several chieftains and heavyweight politicians left the opposition after the outcome of the primary election.
One of the party bigwigs that left is Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna who contested against Barde during the governorship primary election and came second. He was also a governorship aspirant in 2019 and one time managing director of an electricity distribution company known as ‘KEDCO’. After dumping the PDP, Jamilu joined APC and appointed the party’s state campaign coordinator for the 2023 polls.
Also, a former deputy governor to Fovernor Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Charles Iliya, defected from the PDP and threw his weight behind Governor Inuwa in the upcoming election.
Apart from these losses of party bigwigs, the opposition PDP also has another popular candidate in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former House of Representatives member, Khamisu Mailantarki, to contend with in this year’s governorship election in Gombe. This, close watchers say, will surely divide the supposed votes meant for the opposition as they face the governing party.
Another political advantage the incumbent governor will have is his relationship with National Assembly members, including Senators and members of the House of Representatives. He also enjoys the support of traditional rulers who are influential to voters, especially in rural areas.
LEADERSHIP gathered that in several places visited by the governor during the ward-to-ward campaign, traditional rulers, including Emirs and district heads, did not only express support for Governor Inuwa; they also conferred traditional titles on the governor, a development that further motivated and inspired the governor during the campaigns.
It was learnt that apart from Senator Danjuma Goje, all serving members of the National Assembly are apparently in support of the re-election bid of Governor Inuwa. Many of them had followed the governor to his campaign rallies held at the 11 local government areas of the state.
The governor is not in good terms with Goje and the Senator never showed up at the APC campaign rallies being led by Inuwa himself. There are speculations that he is not supporting Inuwa’s re-election bid as the governor pointed out during his campaign rallies in some areas.
Another indication that the governor may return without much hitches, according to analysts, is the vigorous campaigns he embarked on in all the wards of the state with a large retinue of top politicians and government officials. This is even as the opposition candidates have not officially flagged off their campaign in the state less than two months to the governorship election.
Also, the NNPP candidate, hamisu Mailantarki, is yet to commence campaign but he has been receiving defectors, including aggrieved stalwarts from the PDP in his residence in Gombe and Abuja respectively. He has also doled out cars and motorcycles to supporters. However, Inuwa is ahead of him because the governor has gone round all the electoral wards and is planning to commence a second phase of the campaign before the election.
Barde is said to have been going to villages too for campaign but he faces setbacks from party officials who have continued to leave his party. Only last Wednesday, the spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Murtala Usman Dukku, resigned from the party and joined the NNPP. At the moment, there seems to be no serious commitment from the PDP candidate to reach out to the aggrieved members of his party who left his camp.
The major grouse against Governor Inuwa is his alleged lack of welfare packages to politicians and other citizens. It is alleged that he is not very generous. However, in many places the governor visited for re-election campaign, he showcased his capital projects like the provision of at least one functional primary healthcare centre in each ward in the state. He has initiated 100 kilometers roads in each of the 11 local governments of the state and has completed some, among so many other people-oriented projects.
Observers say they have never seen a governor in the history of Nigeria’s checkered democracy initiating and completing projects the way Governor Inuwa has done in Jewel in the Savannah. With this, he is asking voters to return him back in the upcoming election complete the good work he has started.
In an interview with journalists recently, the governor said he does not fret over the upcoming governorship polls. Everywhere he goes, he boasts that he is not ‘shaking’ in the contest, even as he said his opponents are not threats to his re-election bid.
Governor Inuwa said he has executed projects across the 114 wards of the state and still enjoys the support of the electorate, adding that this is the reason he keeps repeating the phrase ‘No shaking’ at any political event.
“You have seen it for yourself; you have seen the turn out of the numbers of people, the young and the old, male and female. All in support of the APC because they believe APC will deliver. I am absolutely confident and sure that we shall win the election. Why should I shake? I am determined and have the support and followership”, he stated.
New political events may unfold before the election which may spring surprises and change the narrative. But barring any last minute changes, Governor Inuwa Yahaya is, at present, ahead of other candidates in terms of support in all wards where he has gone to canvass support. Besides, the lack of a formidable opponent to square him up in the poll is playing out positively for him, as voters wishing to change the government in the state are currently divided between Barde and Mailantarki.
Describing the situation in the state, a journalist and public commentator in the state, Yakubu Bayambe, said, “As a journalist previledged to be on the campaign trail, I saw first-hand the avowed commitment, unlimited enthusiasm, genuine show of love, support and solidarity that usually greeted the Governor’s motorcade each time it berthed in every of the 114 political wards of the State.
“From the three Senatorial Districts of Gombe South, North and Central, the Governor’s cult-like followership is way beyond what the human mind can easily comprehend.
“Little wonder that speakers across social and economic divides described the Governor as a cosmopolitant leader with an undying penchant for transformational development. This perhaps may be the reason behind the Governor’s astronomical rise in popularity and acceptability.
“For instance, in the last three and half years, Governor Inuwa’s approach to futuristic development has been adjudged by National and International governmental and non-governmental organisations as the best money can buy.
“From the multi billion naira Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park to the Network Eleven Hundred road revolution project which has since opened up rural and semi urban communities for socio-economic activities. The Governor has equally made far reaching reforms and initiated interventions in health, education and the civil service for effective and efficient service delivery.
“So many positives to talk about in the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya; some of his flagship projects have not only distinguished the Governor but have succeeded in placing the state on the path of sustainable economic development.
“The accomplishments of these projects and so many more as encapsulated in the Governor’s policy document and development agenda- the DEVAGOM, makes the 27 days ward-to-ward campaign even easier and reassuring.
“At the various campaign grounds, Governor Inuwa Yahaya enjoined supporters of the APC to stay true with the party in view of its unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians in general and the people of Gombe State in particular, referencing the political will to exploit the oil in Kolmani area of the State and implement the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.
“Legion of APC juggernauts and high profile defectors from major opposition parties in the state said they found in Governor Inuwa Yahaya a leader with a progressive mindset who deserves support in the interest of the state.
“The traditional leadership for which the governor recently reviewed their renumeration in line with current realities, were unsparing in their support and solidarity to the Governor. A case in point was when the Emir of Yamaltu, Abubakar Aliyu described Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as having the leadership attributes and qualities of the late Northern Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello owing to his uncommon patriotism and visionary disposition.
“Despite these lots of accolades for a typical to go home sleeping, however, Governor Inuwa Yahaya appears not to be developing cold feet towards delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. Even at the heat of the electioneering campaigns more projects like roads and the expansion of the Gombe water scheme are ongoing. More projects are also in the offing sequel to the bid opening recently conducted by the State Ministry of Works.
“The list of positives of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya engagement with the people seems endless, particularly as he looks forward to a renewed mandate. The climax of the governor’s ward- to- ward campaign rally in Gombe Local Government Area vividly sent a clear and unequivocal signal that Governor Inuwa Yahaya remains a candidate to beat in the forthcoming general election.”
