Danmodi and the burden of history in Jigawa, by Kabir Musa Ringim
Now that the election is won and lost, the winners are strategizing and restrategizing, the losers are grieving or heading to court, the politicians are politicking, lobbying, and cross-carpeting to be invited to the dining table, the contractors and investors are hoping for their returns on investments, and the technocrats are lurking while the masses are waiting for the transition to start enjoying the dividends of democracy.
Jigawa, as the most peaceful and most homogenous state in the country, witnessed one of the best gubernatorial elections nationwide this year, characterized by being largely peaceful, free, and fair with little or no incident of violence or strife. Contrary to presumptions before the poll, the people shamed the rabble-rousers, the agents of disunity, and the promoters of strife with the intent to sow discord and instability by voting the most competent candidate all over the state without minding his zone. It is heartwarming that Danmodi won in 26 out of 27 LGAs and got more than 30,000 votes in the remaining LGA; the figure is higher than that of most LGAs thought to be his bases or strongholds.
The result stopped a dangerous precedent that may be the cause of mayhem and instability in our dear state. A few weeks before the elections, both protagonists and antagonists latched onto the intense emotions of the gullible by fueling turmoil to score cheap political goals. It was reported that our hidden enemies with evil agendas were disappointed to learn that we’re still united, and we left no clue as to when and how they will see us divided. Jigawa people are united in every aspect: in faith, language, dress, houses, economy, education, etc. No amount of intrigue, espionage, or blackmail will make us lose our guard and allow the purveyors of hatred to cost us our peaceful coexistence, which was the envy of most states.
But as the transition date of May 29th approaches, I start to sympathize with Danmodi. His vast expectations of him are far too many. The people are looking up to him as a messiah to rescue them from the pangs of poverty and hunger. The masses hope he will resuscitate the ailing educational sector and revive the falling health sector while maintaining the progress made in the economy, roads, and infrastructure championed by his immediate predecessor.
I can say without any fear of contradiction that no Jigawa governor-elect in history has enjoyed the widespread support Danmodi is currently enjoying, to the extent that the opposition is almost crushed and driven into extinction. Thanks to his great personality, personal integrity, magnanimity, and charming character.
The first task of great priority facing Danmodi is how to strengthen the peaceful atmosphere by being fair and just to all, irrespective of the zone or political affiliation. He should strive to be the governor for all and sundry. Another urgent task of equal importance is that he should put an end to the recent widespread and politically motivated suspension of traditional rulers to save our traditional institutions and cultural heritage from mockery and extinction. More importantly, while deciding on his prospective cabinet members, he should consider the technocrats to work with him alongside the usual politicians; I believe he will do this by considering his speeches at the meetings he held with us, the Jigawa academics, at different times in Dutse.
The selection of cabinet members is what determines the success or failure of any administration. The composition of the cabinet will make or break any administration. Danmodi should exercise restraint and not reward political loyalty by imposing incompetence on the Jigawa people. As Professor Sheikh Mansur Sokoto recently advised the Zamfara state governor-elect in a widely shared video clip, there are so many ways to reward politicians, not necessarily by appointing them to sensitive positions they are incapable of managing.
My advice to Danmodi at this crucial stage is to consider professionalism, competence, capacity, and character when choosing his political appointees. A square peg in a round hole will result in nothing but disaster, and history will not be kind to Danmodi if he enables that.
Secondly, our governor-elect should build on the progress of his predecessors in all sectors and capitalize on their weak areas. Saminu Turaki’s ICT development, Sule Lamido’s institutions and infrastructure, free girl child education, and haiku lafiya, Badaru Abubakar’s gains in the economy, revenue generation, and infrastructure, should be sustained or resuscitated. Recruitment of teachers and health workers should be treated as a matter of urgent attention. A state of emergency should be declared on poverty and unemployment among youth and women to arrest the sad situation of living in extreme poverty amidst an abundance of wealth prospects and means of prosperity.
Flood mitigation procedures should be employed so as not to exacerbate the already dire situation of perennial flood incidents.
Lastly, I wish the governor-elect all the best as he steers the affairs of our deer state in the next four years. I pray that he finds a way to deliver in this difficult terrain. The hopes are high, the expectations are immeasurable, and the politicians seeking relevance or appointments are numerous, but the mandate belongs to us, the masses, and ordinary citizens, as we are by far the largest in number.
Kabir Musa Ringim is a Ph.D. Holder in Computer Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and can be reached via ringimkabir@bupoly.edu.ng
