…I long resolved not to belabour myself with issues of religion, ethnicity or other primordial sentiments as subject matters of my campaign, because they are not the problems of our people in GOMBI and Hong. Our people are quite aware that corrupt individuals usually capitalize on the fault lines of religion and ethnicity to perpetrate their thieving with impunity…
The Periscope Global Star Letter (Attracts N5,000)
Engr Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, a.k.a Binani’s successful political voyage can best be described as being from the Green Chamber to the Red Chamber and eventually, to Dougirei Hill in-waiting, In Sha Allah.
This consideration is based on the filters, fillers and fitting positive projection(s) made by the politically troubled, teething and threatened teeming yearning for good governance electorates within, and well-wishers, beyond Adamawa state, following also the reference made of Binani by President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Governor-In-Waiting.
Adamawa state governor, to be the first female governor since the creation of the contraction called Nigeria indeed.
The road to Diugirei Hill is smoothen over time, by her philanthropy, social welfare interventions, empowerment initiatives, effective and efficient representation, respect for the rule of law, equity and equality in the spirit of fairness devoid of demographic sentiments; a true Democrat indeed, who in the syncategorematic consideration of the different forms of democracy, can be seen to be fascinated more particularly with the populist and participatory types.
One of the projections, confirming Binani as Adamawa Governor after 2022, following the would be 2023 election, considered by the Periscope Global as the star letter of the day, is that articulated by one Emmanuel Joel Abba Pella, on behalf of his immediate rather, as he would impliedly be pleased to put it, neglected constituency, to be considered for development by the to be Binani led government, he considered as obvious rather than obnoxious, based on all parameters and electoral considerations.
It comes at no better time than today when Her Excellency, the amazing amazon arrives Adamawa and heads to Gombi to carry out what she knows best how to do rather excellently as a worthy ambassador, as effective and efficient representative and the executive touchstones, having a Midas touch in politics with impeccable understanding of the political Adamawa enough to earn one a master knowledge and experience outside academy being with her.
Find below the full text of the letter to Binani:
OPEN LETTER TO SEN BINANI, GOMBI-HONG ON THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Like many new Governments that come with great hope and new opportunities, your Administration is bound to be inundated with many requests at the individual, group and community levels. You are therefore assured of a very hectic first tenure, and because I desire that my people of GOMBI and HONG be fully carried along in the next political dispensation, I want to be the first to table real campaign issues affecting our lives before you.
I wish to present a clear picture of our constituents’ expectations from you, in the hope that you will accord them priority attention when you come on board May 29th next year.
- In my opinion, the transformation or advancement of any democratic society is an incremental phenomenon. That is why I am not swayed by Governorship candidates that present the solutions to Adamawa State problems as a marathon. To me, the path to tackling our state plights is a relay race. What Adamawa state needs now is a leader that is well equipped and ready to serve, proffer lasting solutions to our teething problems and lay a firm template for future infrastructural advancement.
- As APC Youngster, I long resolved not to belabour myself with issues of religion, ethnicity or other primordial sentiments as subject matters of my campaign, because they are not the problems of our people in GOMBI and Hong. Our people are quite aware that corrupt individuals usually capitalize on the fault lines of religion and ethnicity to perpetrate their thieving with impunity. However, the core challenge of my people is, and has been, underdevelopment, which is not peculiar to any religion, ethnic group or tribe. So, I would rather discuss solutions to the real developmental issues affecting our people, than broaching the primordial sentiments of religion and ethnicity.
- Although your winning as the Governorship Candidate stirred up controversies in some quarters, with claims that you are a woman and is against Islamic religion, I am not beguiled by such arguments because I was born and raised in the north, so I have a fair idea of the philosophy and modus operandi of bigots ( politic’s of the 21st century is about COMPETENCE, seriously I always crush on Senator Aishatu Binani competency )
- In fact, due to your level of religious tolerance, I always almost forget your religious identity because Religious bigots are innately impatient. But while you had every opportunity since 2015 to declare for the Governorship, despite nursing the ambition and being equally blessed with the means to pursue and actualize it, you rather took time to build the leadership capacities of young, enterprising men and women, thereby creating unique opportunities for the younger generation of Adamawa state.
- Hopefully, your election as Governor next year would be the watershed in our political history, as it could de-emphasize the highly controversial issue of (woman to lead) from our national psyche, thereby paving the way for character, competence, pedigree and acceptability to be the key criteria for determining our future leaders.
It is clear that the problem of our people is not tribe, ethnicity or religion. Rather, it is the common, deeply entrenched problem of underdevelopment.
- Firstly, BAYAN DUTSE GOMBI local government have long been tacitly disconnected from other parts of the country due to poor road infrastructure. The Ga’anda people are strong, enterprising farmers, but their farm produce are either underpriced or spoilt because their communities are barely accessible by the big markets. Consequently, Adamawa state loses considerable revenue annually.
- Furthermore, the people of GOMBI and HONG Local Government have suffered series of violent attacks from suspected terrorist herders and other unknown gunmen, with many of them have been forced to flee their ancestral lands. I therefore humbly appeal that you kindly establish a strong state security, when you come into office next year, to serve the twin purpose of securing our life and property.
- I equally wish to advocate for HONG main bridge near ( ZANGO ) reconstructing the river would alleviate the perennial challenge of flooding in HONG metropolitan. The villagers of GOMBI and HONG also crave suitable road for car to transport their farm produce to the far Neighbouring state – Maiduguri, Yobe, and Gombe to boost agricultural activities and reduce their over-dependence on white collar jobs.
- More so, while I condemn the state of insecurity across Adamawa state So, I wish to specifically mention that insecurity in HONG and GOMBI Local Government where I hail from ought to constitute a national emergency. The social, cultural and economic activities of my people have been severely disrupted by the activities of kidnappers. Therefore, we will be eternally grateful if your Administration accords urgent attention to tackling the challenge of insecurity in our local government.
- On another note, proximity to decent and affordable healthcare is a major challenge to the people of GOMBI local government ( the new hospital built by the incumbent Governor is too small ) The several socio-infrastructural deficits they suffer predispose them to adverse medical conditions. The absence of a standard public hospital has compelled our people in GOMBI to travel as far as Yola, Mubi or even UMTH Maiduguri in search of decent healthcare.
- In addition, you may kindly consider building a Lorry ( Trailer ) park around the GOMBI and HONG axis, This would create a lot of employment for the locals and fast-track the development of GOMBI-HONG and its environs.
- Meanwhile, MBOLINYI, DILDAR and MAIRANAU the cultural and socio-economic nerve centre of HONG is critically lacking potable water and good inter-township roads. I am sure they wished their roads were as good as GOMBE roads.
- Like several other transformational leaders in history, your economic policies and programmes may initially appear repugnant to many citizens. Transformational leadership is said to be the capacity to inspire people to want to grow, change and be led. So at inception transformational leaders may be harshly criticized. But all sincere and well-meaning citizen of Adamawa state will appreciate the necessity to sacrifice some degree of our personal comfort and convenience in order to actualize the change that we seek. Even the great Lee Kuan Yew, former founding father of Singapore and Prime Minister between 1959 and 1990, was accused in several quarters as being semi-authoritarian.
- Back home in Nigeria, we also witnessed how the Administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as Minister of FCT, came under heavy criticisms at inception. But many years after his exit, the residents of FCT are now enjoying the dividends of his transformational leadership.
- It is on the above note that I finally wish to add that GOMBI and HONG is a notable stronghold of your political party, the APC. Our people are very educated, diligent, competent, committed and loyal. You should therefore kindly consider many of them as are eligible, for appointments in different capacities under your Administration.
- MOTHER, the people of GOMBI and HONG wish to key into your anticipated developmental strides by the aforementioned, amongst others. I am confident that you can address all our requests, because great leaders are defined by their ability to assemble the right human resources that can deliver on set socio-economic goals. You have an unbeatable legacy of fixing round pegs in round holes.
- I further wish to state that the people of GOMBI and HONG have not forgotten the enormous sacrifices you have made towards the entrenchment of democracy and good governance in Adamawa state, I therefore wish to assure you that the generality of GOMBI and HONG electorate will vote massively for you in 2023, which you may verify from the final results of the election.
Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards and goodwill.