Namdas: A Conscientious And Prepared Leader @ 54

It is widely accepted that ‘there is no morality in politics”. According to the renowned Italian poet and philosopher, Niccolo Machiavelli, “There are no morals in politics; there is only experience…”. However, behind every cloud, there is a silver lining, hence there are quite a good number of conscientious men and women populating the nation’s political firmament and Rt. Honourable Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas representing Jada/Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa state is one of such rare politicians whom the allure of success or money does not cause to lose their conscience.

A two-time lawmaker, Namdas volunteered not to return to the Green Chamber again in 2023, in order to allow others to also contribute their quota by representing the constituency. He resisted the temptation of going to fight for the House ticket after losing at the gubernatorial primaries, even when they were offers to that effect. This is in spite of the fact that he is loved and adored in the constituency being a certified grassroots politician, community leader, and philanthropist of repute. No wonder he holds the traditional title of Gangwi Ganye.

Being a team player, great mobiliser, and bridge builder, after the APC lost the governorship election in 2019, many key members abandoned the party and went on AWOL, Namdas remained and became the rallying point. Imbued with adept political sagacity, Namdas took the bull by the horns and through his efforts, the APC was rejuvenated and repositioned and once again, became a party to reckon with. Even when he lost the gubernatorial primaries, he never turned his back on the party, instead, Namdas was the first to congratulate Senator Aisha Binani the party’s gubernatorial candidate. In fact, when it became obvious that Binani was coasting to victory at the primaries, Namdas congratulated the senator before the final result was announced- a perfect example of politics without bitterness. He has since been working assiduously alongside others for the victory of the party at the state and at the national level.

A committed party man, Namdas’ loyalty and political maturity was also brought to the fore in 2019 when he indicated interest to contest for the position of speaker of the House of Representatives. Although his ambition was welcomed by a large number of the lawmakers, he withdrew from the race in deference to the party’s superiority when the position was zoned to the southwest. Namdas would consequently work for the emergence of the party’s preferred candidate, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila. He is an embodiment of good sportsmanship, a trait that is lacking in most of our politicians today.

In his first term, he was the House spokesman and being an experienced journalist with excellent human relations and managerial skills, Namdas was able to rebrand the image of the House and in fact, the National Assembly, which at the time had degenerated in the eyes of the public. As the chairman of the House Committee on Army in the 9th Assembly, Namdas has exuded uncommon patriotism and commitment to his legislative duties. The lawmaker has been up and doing, working to ensure improved welfare for the Army and the necessary support to fight insurgency and preserve the territorial integrity of the nation. He has never been found wanting in his legislative assignment both in the sponsorship of very important bills and motions and delivery of constituency projects, which have endeared him to the hearts of his constituents and admirers nationwide.

As chairman of the Committee on Army, he has facilitated the recruitment of many of his constituents into the Armed Forces and other federal ministries and establishments. In the area of constituency projects, he has attracted the construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure including roads, schools, hospitals, and the provision of electricity and potable water. Namdas has also empowered thousands of his constituents through skills acquisition and donation of cars, motorbikes, tricycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, generators, barbing kits, hair dryers, etc. He did not stop there, knowing that Adamawa is an agrarian state, Namdas also devoted his resources to distributing fertilizer and other farm implements to farmers every planting season.

Namdas is not an accidental politician- academically, professionally, and experience-wise, he is well prepared for even higher responsibilities. A thorough-bred journalist, Namdas studied Sociology at the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he graduated with a B.Sc and later obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Jos. He has an M.A. in Criminology and Security Studies and is now a Ph.D. candidate in Strategic and Security Studies.

Professionally, he worked for many years as a journalist and was a state correspondent of the Daily Times before he became the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Boni Haruna from 1999 to 2007, an experience that ushered him into the corridors of power. Since joining partisan politics, he has served as the Director General of Atiku Support Group – an influential political campaign platform that was founded by Atiku Abubakar. He was also the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) deputy governorship candidate to Engr. Markus Gundiri, where they emerged as the first runner-up in the February 2011 elections.

Apart from being in the House of Representatives for a second term and holding strategic chairmanship positions and serving on critical committees, Namdas also had the rare privilege of serving as the deputy president of the Pan-African Parliament, making him one of the few Nigerians that have held the esteemed position.

Today, he is the secretary of the Logistics and Support Services of the APC Presidential Campaign Council working round the clock to ensure that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima clinch the presidency come February 25, 2023.

Born on January 1, 1969, Namdas clocks 54 years today and he has already achieved much but he is still determined to devote his life to the service of mankind. May Allah be merciful to Namdas and grant him many more healthy and productive years ahead; and entrust him with a higher responsibility so that he can continue to offer conscientious, passionate, and faithful service to his immediate constituents, Nigeria, and humankind at large.

– Nyam, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.