Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima: A tolerant leader, by Umar Muhammad Karachi
Power, wealth, and knowledge are key in determining who a person is and how he fares among his peers, political associates, elders, and the younger generation of a given period of time. Whoever did not possess either of the three, two, or all qualities cannot be judged based on his or her behaviour because a change in attitude can occur by the time he got to such level.
Senator Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura is one of the few individuals bestowed with power, wealth and knowledge but still remained simple and focused viz a viz what concerns a common man. He cares about his people and the development of his dear state Zamfara, Northern Nigeria, and Nigeria at large, just like late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto.
But it is only in the North that a leader like Ahmad Sani, the Sardauna of Zamfara, is being attacked by some political elements simply because he puts his people first more than any political affiliation. Those who want to be in permanent luxury of life are against him, while those who are desperate to be in power see nothing good in him despite all his efforts in developing Zamfara State.
Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima is a true democrat, a God-fearing politician, he believes power belongs to Allah, and He gives to how He wishes.
Yerima is a trusted politician that believes in equality and justice. He always feels indebted to his people working tirelessly to improve the life of the common man through war against illiteracy, poverty and unemployment. However, those in the opposition at intra and inter party levels are working tooth and nail to bring him dawn. Although he knows them and their antics, he still tolerates them.
A number of his loyalists, mostly those who work under him have gotten opportunities to contest and win elections at various levels and are now condemning everything about him, but he still tolerates them.
One wonders what this group wants to achieve as they make blatant allegations without specific examples while ignoring a number of achievements recorded by his administration in Zamfara State, especially the establishment of the Shari’a legal system in pursuance of the various constitutional provisions as a response to the yearnings and aspirations of his people, while the interest of Christians and other faiths in the state have been fully protected.
Establishment of the Zamfara State Integrated Developments Programme, establishment of the Poverty Alleviation Agency in the state, revolutionising the agricultural sector in the state through the introduction of new farming techniques. Reviving health care systems, improving educational sectors in primary, secondary to the tertiary level, construction of borehole, and the establishment of skills acquisition centres across Zamfara State.
For the next 100 years to come, Senator YErima will be an unbeatable icon of change in Zamfara State.
Considering his long stewardship record and his selfless service to humanity, there is no amount of humiliation, and political propaganda that can delete his achievements in Zamfara State. They are only ranting with fake speculations, yet Yerima has tolerated them.
They tried to stop him from being a card carrying member of the party he worked tirelessly to build in 2021. During APC registration exercise, he was denied delegates’ votes from his people and during the APC primary election in 2022, yet Yerima tolerated them.
But one aspect worth noting is that there was a general belief across the nation that Yerima is not in office to enrich himself. He is a God fearing leader. He is humble and simple, a real politician and game changer.
But the fact is that humility is not weakness. Of course, Yerima tolerated a lot, but tolerance is not without limits.
Umar Muhammad Karachi writes from Abuja.
