ADAMAWA: GOV. BINDOW & SUNDRY ISSUES

Someone close to my mother asked me if I know Bindow Jibrilla? I said I don't, I have never seen him even on tv. That was before the 2015 gubernatorial elections. The way I campaigned, I persuaded voters, coarced and even moving far to threatened some of my dear friends was reasons why the person wanted to find out if I knew him. The truth was, being an APC candidate was enough for me to rigorously drum up support for him. But now I think am beginning to see the bigger picture.

I am currently unemployed, but I some how contributed N56,700 during Bindow's election. I can proudly say that I am a pretty girl of Fulani extraction. So my cultural values to an extend frowns at girls of my age getting deeply involved in active politics or even canvassing for political support. But I did all that to the consternation of my siblings, and mum who thinks I have an attitude of a 'kado'; probably because I didn't grow up in Yola.

I can boastfully say i swayed a lot of voters to do my interest on election day. My effort on that day angered many, but mostly I got so many friends. But on that day too I shed tears for a different reason. A man actually poked at my breast and with with a wicked confidence looked right into my eyes. I felt bitterly abused, hurt and helpless because If I protested I would needlessly call attention to myself and the shame could be too enormous for me to bear. All this because I wanted Bindow Jibrilla to win.

Less than 3 months into the administration of change that we voted for is unfolding to be what the Hausa man would say 'zaben tumun dare'. Nevertheless, I started to study the issues before all of us, the good people of Adamawa State.

Keeping quiet would never solve our collective problems. As individuals, or groups, our silence is an indictment of collaboration. I could remember very well that not enough voices was heard in stopping misgivernance during Gov. Nyako's regime. Those who keep quiet in the face of injustice, impunity are either cowards or collaborators, I am neither of that.

A recent example was a case of a good gentleman turned bad. Reuben Abati of the Jonathanian era, he straddle the bull while it lay loose in the China shop. The sleaze, killings and misgovernace that characterized regime was unprecedented but Abati held on and did not see anything wrong. And like Reuben Abati, Ahmed Sajo also held tightly in Adamawa as Gov. Nyako, son and friends had their hands in our cooky jar, until he was impeached. The 'Reuben Abati' of Adamawa didn't know that all was not well with the regime? If he was such a fine 'gentleman of the press' he could have resigned to save his name. It is the same person now Gov. Bindo is brandishing in our faces as his nominee for a commissioner.

As a matter of moral fairness, all traces of an impeached regime must not surface in this new government of change. The house of Assembly of that time, including a committee of eminent personalities had indicted Nyako and all those that served under him. Today, EFCC is asking them to return about N40b that got 'missing' during their tenure. The Fulani's have said 'sappo sappata mere'. Gov. Bindow must immediately distance himself from all Nyako's men. I mean all of them.

Still again, in less than 3 months in office, the Governor has revealed his weakness as incapable of handling issues without seemingly inclining towards satisfying individuals rather than the collective masses of Adamawa State. The very first major project the government started was the road in front of Faro water factory, owned by Atiku Abubakar. As against the road, say for instance the Jambutu link road? Another project was the Yola town bye pass road along American University of Nigeria (AUN), also owned by Atiku Abubakar. As against a road, for example, like Yolde pate road? Where is the fairness in these.

There are also several bridges that were destroyed by insurgents along Mubi, Maiha, Michika, Madagali axis. These bridges need immediate intervention by the government, but amazingly the government is busy appeasing someone else.

In Yola North alone, the Governor got 41,171 votes, while Yola South gave him 31,155. It must be noted that Bindow's new found 'godfather' had challenged his emergence twice at the primary election and yet he glided to victory without Atiku Abubakar. This shows that the masses is with him. So my advice is he better be with the masses as well, because if push comes to shove, no one will be there for him, and no amount of Atikus would safe him. This scenario has played out during the impeachment saga of Gov. Nyako. No one of his friends that went to his rescue. A word is enough for the wise.

Apart from the sudden resurgence of godfatherism in Adamawa Start, another ill practice that is taking a center stage is the promotion of waste, laziness and psychophancy. How could one really explain the appearance of large bill boards adorning the pictures of the Governor with 'Bindow for social change' written on them. These is sponsored by one Musa Bororo, allegedly the 'majidadin Gonna Bindow'; what nonsense!

Where is the social change in Gov. Bindow? The money spent in erecting those bill boards could have changed the social status of poor people of Adamawa State, including the so-called majidadin gomna, who I believe is an illiterate without proper education, or even a legitimate business, 'Allah sauwaka mana'!

This piece is not meant to insult anyone but as a wake up call to the Governor. History would judge me that I told him to redirect his energy towards improving the living condition of the generality of the poor populace rather than serving the few. What we need right now, is to open up the densely populated areas of our towns by constructing link roads, expand the internally generated revenue (IGR) base of the State, cut down over head expenditure just like your Kaduna State counterpart did by reducing government expenditure by 60% would no doubt reduce the cost of governance. Pay workers backlog and leave grants, upgrade educational facilities and health care delivery service. Create job opportunities for the teeming youths that stood by your side when the Atikus were not with you.

I wish my Governor long life and wisdom. I will always continue to tell you to do the needful.
Aysha Dadamanga.