In politics, elections are lost and won, in most cases, even before voting, counting and announcement of results are made. Next week, local government election, on October 19, will hold in Kaduna State and the outcome, from the optics, is pretty much obvious and self evident . Indeed, the result will celebrate focus, long term planning and a well thought-out strategy. Perhaps, a little context will connect the dots, paint the larger picture and put issues in bold relief.
Significantly, Senator Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Governor, had promised to be even-handed in his inaugural address. Politics, he had argued, was over and all citizens should join in the brass tacks of governance. Truly, the Governor matched his preachment with action, upon assuming office, as he reached out to the opposition, religious and socio-political organisations, waving an olive branch. Likewise, he built bridges, opened communication channels and pulled down walls of distrust within a short time. Indeed, the efforts have yielded fruits as the political elite, across party lines, are either in the same boat or rowing in one direction.
Specifically, Senator Uba Sani and Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, despite political differences, have a very cordial relationship. Similarly, Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Makarfi’s successor and former vice president, is the Governor’s political allay whose counsel he seeks regularly. More so, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Sambo’s protégé, had crossed over to the ruling APC in September last year.
Likewise, the Governor has wooed opponents after the last general election. Last week, Senator Shehu Sani voted with his feet, left the PDP and pitched tent with APC, bringing his supporters along. Similarly, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, the NNPP candidate, had returned to the APC, seven months after the gubernatorial election. Likewise, Alhaji Sani Shaaban, a former lawmaker and Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, has dumped the party and is eyeing the APC. Indeed, the government, political and ethno-religious leaders, are now on same page, strategizing for development. Besides, a rave of defections, in recent times, has further depleted the opposition, especially the PDP.
Last July, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, ex National Organising Secretary, dumped PDP for the APC, citing personal reasons. Essentially, the spokesman of PDP State Campaign Council, Alhaji Yakubu Lere, crossed over to APC based on personal relationship with the Governor. Likewise, the Chairman of Chikun local government, Salasi Musa, his entire councillors and their supporters, have left PDP for APC. Also, Hon Ibrahim Gajere, the Kajuru local government chairman, has gone to APC, so has Hon Mathias Siman, his counterpart at Kaura area council. In fact, over 200,000 PDP leaders and supporters, in the last four months, have defected to the APC, according to Senator Uba Sani.
Indeed, the coming local government election, for all intents and purposes, will be walk over for APC candidates as the opposition, through political brinkmanship, have been depleted and weakened. Besides, they will run on Senator Uba Sani’s achievements and goodwill. In fact, the Governor has built 62 roads across the 23 local governments, brought development to rural areas, built 60 secondary schools, furnished over 200 primary and secondary schools, distributed free fertilisers to farmers and slashed tuition fees of Kaduna State owned tertiary institutions, as well as delivered sundry dividends of democracy, in the last 17 months.
However, in contrast, PDP’s campaign sounds hollow as its candidates are running on promises. Clearly, the electorate will rather vote for what is on the ground than what is on the horizon.
