He sprouted on the political scene in 2027 fully prepared for the struggle ahead. The struggle was for a better Nigeria devoid of parochial interests. He believes in the oneness of Nigeria irrespective of imaginary differences that exist. Since then, he has been navigating through the field of Nigerian politics with determination and courage as a firebrand that goes for the best for Nigerians.
Governor Bala is not just passionate about Nigeria, but he is committed to any cause that can get the country out of the woods.
Politics in Nigeria, as we all very well know, is not an edifying enterprise. Our experience as a people bears this assertion out. From the very beginning, it has been a tale of woe. Rigging, thuggery, violence, murder and corruption, among other negatives, define politics and electioneering in Nigeria. The actors themselves are so steeped in these evils to the extent that the typical Nigerian politician looks like one big evil.
Over the years, there may have been a flicker of light here and there. But none was able to graduate to anything enduring.
However, things assumed an inspiring dimension in 2023 when Governor Bala Muhammed, the serving governor of Bauchi State and 2023 presidential aspirant, steeped forward from his comfort zone to stand for his party’s presidential primary election.
While campaigning for the presidential party primary preparatory to the presidential election, Kaura delivered a message and approach that captured the imagination of Nigerians, particularly, his PDP party members. Before then, Nigerians were used to pedestrian politicians and their ghost words.
Having been accustomed to the lies and deceit that perennially waft out from political covens, they could no longer be persuaded or cajoled by anything into believing what politicians say or do. But Kaura came like a breath of fresh air.
He bellied all the negativity that is associated with the Nigerian politician. Where the typical Nigerian politician will pontificate, Kaura will not.
Where a Nigerian politician will bow to tell lies, Kaura will not. He has no place for rhetoric and deceit. Rather, he engages his subject, whatever it is, with clarity of vision, mission and purpose. Until he happened on the political scene as a serious and straight forward aspirant, Nigerians were yet to experience the freshness and hope that came with his message.
His stellar performance in that primary election despite the glaring odds associated with the conduct of the election was a clear indication that Nigerians in the PDP still cherish and respect his core values.Since that primary election, Kaura has demonstrated in no small measure that he is not a flash in the pan for twist.
His message was rooted in conviction and sincerity of purpose nursed over the years. This tendency came alive in Ibadan at the 2025 PDP national convention.
Having taken a critical look at the way things have been under the present dispensation, Kaura steeped forward not to declare any intent for contest, but to point the way out of the quagmire threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, and to strength the records for posterity.
He stood his ground against unnecessary interference into PDP affairs by planted moles sponsored to destroy the party painstakingly built and sustained over the years.
And again, why has the government of the day failing in managing the affairs of the country with particular emphasis on security to lives and property?
How can Mr. President be advised to sit-up to do things differently for the good of the country?
To demonstrate that he is poised to advice appropriately for immediate solutions to numerous national problems, Kaura has, within the intervening years, taken serious lessons on pragmatic leadership.
He has understudied countries whose leaders have made their countries models.He has read and learnt from successful and adorned leaders across the globe. Examples are China, Indonesia, India, United Kingdom etc. Indonesia has the largest economy in the Southeast Asia, and China is a global industrial giant and an innovator. Rwanda, an African country once ravaged by war, but through focused and sincere leadership, has emerged as a model economy for emulation.Since he is convinced, based on practical experience in leadership over the years, the problem of Nigeria rests, squarely on the twin pillars of bad leadership and absence of unity. Kaura is poised, more than ever before to ensure the enthronement of a functional, productive and inclusive order that will make Nigeria prosperous. He has been working assiduously towards achieving that goal whether in power or out, that the turning point where the attainment of a new Nigeria is not just possible but, within a reach.Before him, Nigerian politics was in a corked bottle of deceit and falsehood. But with him around, Nigerian politics is systematically being made to step out of the scroll so as to engage in political and social reconstruction. These espousals were the background upon which Kaura’s politics is anchored and attracting accolades and challenges.When, therefore, he embarked on projects inspection in Bauchi State to rate performance, he did so with clarity of vision. A committed vision to, have quality work and quality materials at best to commensurate with, contractual agreement for standard and, for posterity to judge.Governor Bala, has been part of the largest political party in the African continent, PDP that has been working despite the challenges towards rescuing Nigeria from the vice grip of kleptocrats. But unlike many a politician who will make a declaration without having a message to support it, Kaura has been trumpeting messages of hope, unity and progress of Nigeria. He knows what can be done, where and when for Nigeria to start working again.
He has pointed out some of them in his past statements, but what needs to be done for the country to restart working again, is to put certain institutional checks in place. He has said so severally.
With Kaura’s sincere determination to confront the ugly situation that we have found ourselves in, using the PDP as a credible platform, the stage is getting set for the battle for the soul of Nigeria in 2027. As the greatest political party that nurtured several parties, PDP must at this crucial period put its act together. It has a historical responsibility to save Nigeria from the firm grip of a tiny cabal holding the country captive. The task before PDP is much more urgent considering the fact that this rapacious breed in the APC that has seized the control of Nigeria came into power with all manner of subterfuge. They pretended to have answers to national problems. But no sooner had they grabbed power than it became glaring that they never had what they claimed to have. They were and are empty full of deceit and lies. They can lie even to the dead and the invisible and still claim to be sincere and honest in their dealings. Nigerians are forcefully cruising in a deceitful system that creates more problems than solution.
Show me an APC member who has not specialized in deceit, and I will show you the devil who is a saint.Given the fact that this pretentious breed will do anything under the sun to hang onto power, PDP leadership must understand that the task ahead is risky, herculean, cumbersome and tasking.
One sure way to arrive at their Damascus is for the party leadership to understand the urgency and imperative of the task ahead. The party must do everything possible to avert further internal tension.Compromises that will serve the interest of the party and that of the generality of Nigerians are urgently required. With a strong, united PDP, Tinubu’s plot to install a one-party Nigeria will fail flat on its face.
PDP has the numerical strength, experience and courage to consolidate on its gains by working towards chasing out APC from power with a bloody nose to nurse.Above all, PDP must put its best foot forward. It must not field a presidential candidate whose candidature will be mired in controversy.
The North-South understanding in power-sharing has already been taken into consideration. The party must avoid sore points that the ruling party can use against it. PDP has all it takes to carry the day in 2027 despite its present artificially created teething problems by the jittered ruling party. Whosoever that may fly the flag of the party at the presidential election, must have the zeal and passion to enthrone a new Nigeria of our dream anchored on real change not mockery of change. His agenda must be appealing, refreshing and determined to confront challenges to detonate all APC planted landmines along the path to victory. With the support of the people, PDP can make Nigeria great Again!
Muhammad is a commentator on national issues
