Ismaila Magaji Hong
Everyone that understands the politics of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri cannot separate it from the duo tools of ethnicity and religion. These are the two most potent tools of political manipulation that always worked for him, over the years.
To start with, in his bid to return to the house of Assembly in 2011, under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he was faced with stiff opposition by former Deputy speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Tsamdu.
When it was clear that he would be squarely defeated at the Party Primary, he clandestinely skewed the whole political tussle to assume religious colouration.
Enjoying the sympathy of Governor Nyako, he Convinced him that he was being hated and ganged up against purely on religious grounds and pleaded for his baptism, which Governor Nyako being a balanced politician obliged and directed the Primary election be transferred to Yola, using the mercenaries of government, he eventually won.
Fast forward to 2014, Governor Fintiri staged the infamous impeachment saga, under the umbrella of “Liberation Movement” with the notion that the other ethnic groups in the State, were under the shackles of the Fulani ethnic oligarchy, therefore, he is here to beak the shackles and set the captives free.
To buttress my point, all the frontiers of the Liberation Movement- himself, Hon. Laori Kwamate, Hon. Wafarininyi Theman and Hon. Adamu Kamale were all minority ethnic extractions as fondly called. It could be recalled that during his first visit to Numan as the acting governor, he made his famous remarks- ever before, I have been an agent of Liberation, which was received by thunderous uproar.
Today, being faced with a bare defeat by the bandwagon of “sai matan nan” political tsunami, Governor Fintiri would not stop at nothing to perfect his plans.
To this effect, he has deployed the tools of ethnicity to win the sympathy of other ethnic extraction in the State, after its sister, religion failed him woefully. It’s no longer news that the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria( CAN) can no longer yield to his bid, as there is a clear cut division within the ranks of the association.
The same fate befalls the Eklesian Yan’uwa A Nigeria ( EYN ) bloc, as Dr. Billy the National President cannot guarantee the followership of the Church.
Apparently, like the Egyptian army left on an Island, with only one bullet, he has to shoot with high accuracy. Thus, the tool of ethnicity.
Recently, what makes round in the polity is the unfounded rumour that the Gimbiya Adamawa, during her visit to the District head of Furore, basked that she need no votes of other ethnic groups of the state to win the forthcoming election. They went further to allege that she even used the derogatory word “arna” on them.
Despite their failure to prove their claims, as the video of her visit was displayed to the glare of the public, they would not rest on their oars, as the onslaught continued.
Earlier today, Sen. Binani graced the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria ( LCCN) annual Convention amidst cheers and warm reception. To their shudder, their acclaimed strongholds stood still for the Amazon, thus, the reason they are jittery, calling her all sort of unprintable names, casting aspersions at her personality. They thought they had the world in their pockets, Alas! It is empty.
One beauty of the dividends of democracy is that it has no religion or ethnicity. Sen. Binani has delivered her mandate both at the green and red Chambers of the National Assembly.
Therefore, the people no longer care what gender,religion or ethnic background she belongs to, all they care is to have good governance and viable leadership, where the welfare and security of the people would be guaranteed, towards a safe, secured and prosperous Adamawa of our dreams.
Sen. Binani is a sailing Ship that is unstoppable.
Ismaila Magaji Hong is the Deputy Director, Grassroots Engagement and Orientation, North East, Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).