KEBBI 2023 POLITICAL PERMUTATION-Part 5

*KEBBI* *2023* *POLITICAL* *PERMUTATION* : ZONING OR CORRECTIVE LEADERSHIP?

Part 5

By AHMAD UMAR (KAMBA)

WHY KEBBI NICK-NAMED 'LAND OF EQUITY'?.

Our founding fathers did not just opened a dictionary and pick up the word EQUITY as the state legend name, but it was in recognition of our mutual understanding, brotherhood as single family.

 Before, nobody cares about the emirate a particular candidate came from, that is why in 1992 Governorship election, the then two registered political parties; N.R.C and S.D.P nominated Abubakar Musa from Southern zone /Yauri emirate and Late Bello Alkali from Northern zone/Argungu emirate respectively. They were all supported by the people of Gwandu emirate without any complaint. Later Abubakar Musa emerged winner.

HOW CAN ZONING WORK IN KEBBI STATE?

The politics of zoning in Kebbi state is unique, complicated and ambiguous.

 While some are of the view that zoning should be  base on the four emirates in the state ( Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru)  others averse zoning on emiratism opined that zoning must be base on three senatorial district (Kebbi North, Kebbi South and Kebbi central). 

The complications of these two argument are as follows:

ZONING ON EMIRATISM

Equalizing the unequal itself is an injustice; if you decide to share a booty on equal basis to Emirate with 10 local governments with an emirate with 3 local governments, the emirate with 10 local governments will not listen to you.

ZONING ON SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Zoning by 3 Senatorial districts or zones in Kebbi State is the most complicated one.

For example by this arrangement Kebbi north was deemed to have share of Governorship 

 (2007-2015) with a former Governor Sa'idu Usman Dankingari.

But go to Argungu and talk this way, they will nab  and tie you like kolanut basket and throw you into 'Matan Fada' rivers; (where fishing fastival take place) for insult. 

Likewise, if you like, assemble all the public address system and loud speakers in the world deployed and intalled them in the city of Zuru and start addressing them from sun rise to sun set that Kebbi south had its share of Governorship through  first civilian Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Musa (Garkuwan Yauri) they wouldn't understand you, in fact they will use their hunting dogs and chase you out of the town for nuisance.

THE CONFUSION:

To the best knowledge of Gwandu emirate both Northern zone and Southern zone tested the test of governorship seat; (Garkuwan Yauri'South' and Sa'idu Dakingari' North').

Whereas the Northern zone and Southern zone on their part claiming to have no knowledge about this.

HE WHO CLAIM EQUITY SHOULD COME WITH CLEAN HAND:

HOW EMIRATES  HANDLE MICRO-ZONING IN THEIR DOMAIN

- ZURU Vs YAURI EMIRATE

 In principle Zuru and Yauri should share the seat of Kebbi South senatorial seat, but since 1999 Zuru do not allow Yauri to enjoy this seat for once. Anytime the marginalized Yauri complain, Zuru response that it is democracy in action; majority carry the votes.

-ARGUNGU EMIRATE

 It is common knowledge that no one from Dandi, Arewa, Bagudo and Suru local governments can become of senator of Kebbi North without the approval and consent of 'ARGUNGU CAUCUS' since 1999 (with exception of 2003-2007 when they temporary lent the seat to Senator Sani Kamba) the seat was dominated by Argungus and their biological brothers from Augie.

From the above simple analysis, it is clear that with exception of YAURI EMIRATE; both GWANDU, ARGUNGU and ZURU Emirates are on the same page speaking same language of dictatorship.

WHO ARE THE PROMOTERS OF ZONING/EMIRATISM POLITICS.

 Two (2) groups of individual are the PROMOTERS, ARROWHEAD, INITIATORS, FACILITATORS, ENGINEERS AND INSTIGATORS of zoning/emiratism:

1- The elites (Yan-boko)

        and

2-Contractors

 I believe the COMMON MAN in Rudun-Sama or Kwakkwaba in Dandi local government, and common man in Kimo in Ngaski local government and common man in Gotomo in Argungu local government and common man Gwazawa in Zuru local government absolutely don't have any problem with ABUBAKAR from Gwandu emirate, Abubakar from Argungu emirate, Abubakar from Zuru or Yauri Emirate to become a governor. All they want is SECURITY and FOOD ON THEIR TABLES.

But for the ELITE(manyan yan boko), those looking for political appointments or patronage always want to see their kinsman in the system so that they can access the state resource with ease.

SOLUTION TO ELITE AGITATION: Appointment of career civil servants and political appointments should be equally share among the 21 local government in the state.

The second Instigators are the potential CONTRACTORS, they too prefer someone from their emirate or zone to head the system so that they can be favoured.

SOLUTION TO CONTRACTOR AGITATION: Contracts distribution should be decentralized, no single company or individual should be given ten different Contracts and sideline other contractors.

WAY FORWARD

Since it is obvious that each emirates or zones (with exception of YAURI EMIRATE) behave in same manner, the way forward is CORRECTIVE LEADERSHIP.

WHO IS A CORRECTIVE LEADER?

 A corrective leader is someone who present himself as a 'KEBBI STATE MAN' and ready to 'GOVERN KEBBI STATE' (not a zone or emirate) without any emiratism or zonal affiliation.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A CORRECTIVE LEADER

To identify a CORRECTIVE LEADER I suggest that Kebbi State Stakeholders (social media practitioners inclusive) to organize an open debate to be held at HALIRU ABDU STUDIUM or FILIN SUKUWA Birnin-Kebbi among all the GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS' in the state and all the electronic media in the state should participate and air the programme live concurrently so that those that cannot attend physically can participate via such media.

 The debate questions should be focused on:

1- GOOD CHARACTER: that an aspirant must be man of proven integrity and must never have history of alcoholic consumption through out his life.

2-JOB CREATION: number of people an aspirant engaged, their names,address and phone numbers.

 3- NUMBERS OF INVESTMENT IN THE STATE: including the numbers of people benefiting from these investment.

4- OTHER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES; number of NGOs and support groups a particular aspirant established and their accomplishments so far.

 Any ASPIRANT ADJUGE TO HAVE RENDERED HIGHEST NUMBER OF THESE SERVICES  should be wholly endorsed regardless of his zone or emirate.

This will serve as original 'YAR-TINKE or KATO-BAYAN-KATO' mode of primary election. Any Aspirant failed to show on, should be rejected for being a sectional leader.

I hope to see this debate be organized by Kebbi Stakeholders, so that we can have CORRECTIVE LEADER as a Governor for rapid developement of our dear KEBBI STATE.

____________________

AHMAD UMAR (KAMBA)

ahmadugamji@gmail.com.