It was on April 15, 2015, that Muhammed A. Abubakar, as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) created a political Tsunami, a tsunami that swept across the entire landscape of Bauchi State. It shattered the strongest hold of the then incumbent government harping on the power of incumbency in baseless stiff opposition to his victory.
Unanimously the electorates confined opposition to the dustbin of history through a clear and clean defeat.
On May 29, 2015 to be precise, history was made at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, venue of the swearing-in ceremony of the political giant who dwarfed the braggers that threatened his smooth sail to victory.
M.A Abubakar swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before an unprecedented crowd of well-wishers from different walks of life to witness the historic occasion.
His first major challenge on assumption of office was the settlement of backlog of four months civil servants’ salaries running into billions without a bequeathed healthy treasury. The exited administration left a staggering amount of domestic and external debt of over N100billion made up of; N48, 743, 196, 021.79 domestic; $87, 572, 428.69 external while contractual liabilities stood at N41, 556, 123, 229. 05 as well as state government unpaid gratuity arrears of N7, 741, 016, 737.19 and N6, 924, 783, 007.92 and that of the local governments and N1, 670, 407, 774.00 as salary arrears for the month of January 2015. The total debt profile bequeathed the M.A administration amounted to N106, 635, 526, 769.95 and $87, 572, 428.69.
The bequeathed challenges were enormous and confusing but with determination, courage, accountability, transparency and probity anchored on sincerity of purpose, the governor was able to score high marks despite the piecemeal monthly Federation Allocation and the micro internally generated revenue at his disposal. He made his obligations clear, defined his goals as an executive governor and identified his focus in the pursuit of the mandate. He never pretended to be comfortable or attempted to cover the mess he inherited which catapulted his integrity to a higher pedestal of transparency and probity. He was bold, courageous and focused in the midst of varying challenges of service delivery in a democracy and in a conservative stronghold.
One of the critical areas that attracted his immediate attention was agriculture as the mainstay of the majority. He repositioned the sector and remained conscious of the increasing need for assorted fertilizers by farmers which he ensured its steady supply throughout the 2015 farming season and beyond.
Agriculture, as the mainstay of the people and the highest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state as well as a means of job and wealth creation, the 2015 farming season as tradition entails, was launched in Misau town of Misau local government area. 10,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizers were sold to farmers at highly subsidized rates of N2,750.00 for NPK and N3,000.00 for Urea brands which was the cheapest throughout the country.
Other achievements of the administration recorded within 365 days in the agricultural sector that deserve a mention to re-sharpen memories include; partnership with the Global Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) for the improvement of food security with 60 metric tons of improved assorted seeds, artisanal fisheries inputs to about 2000 internally displaced persons that were domiciled in Bauchi State from neighboring states and 200 fishermen under the GESS Project. For the 2016 farming season, 20 metric tons of assorted fertilizers (666 trailer load), were procured and distributed in over 40 different locations within the State at subsidized rates and for ease of accessibility by farmers.
The government also keyed into the federal government’s financing programme, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme to make it easy for farmers to access funds from commercial banks for rice and sorghum production in the rainy season and wheat in the dry season through irrigation. The administration supported the success of the programme with subsidized assorted fertilizers, provided equity, adequate training and extension services as required by the Central Bank with a target of at least 100,000 rice and maize farmers in the 2017 planting season.
Determined to improve the agricultural sector, the governor made necessary contacts with certain commodity companies in China and Lebanon for investments in soybeans, groundnuts and sesame that are produced in abundance in the state while other companies indicated interest to establish agro-processing industries. One of such Chinese companies was in Warji local government for a sugar refinery.
For the agricultural sector to maintain its lead as the mainstay of the majority, plans reached advanced stage by the M.A administration to boast mechanized farming with the procurement of combined harvesters for direct sale to the farmers at subsidized rates while for livestock farming, the administration had concluded plans to encourage ranching, breeding, beef and dairy products as well as poultry and fish production. In collaboration with a Chinese reputable research institute, the administration was to develop pastures and fodder for livestock using specially developed species of grass that yields 500 metric tons of fodder per hectre in a growing season for livestock farmers and revenue generation.
The Bauchi State inherited comatozed fertilizer blending plant was reactivated and injected with adequate funds under a good management for optimum production while 23 brand new tractors were first procured within one year and additional tractors and other agricultural implements were made available to farmers in the subsequent year.
Plans reached an advanced stage to reactivate the moribund Gubi dairy farm, Madangala sheep ranch, Galambi cattle ranch and other agricultural investments left to rot by successive administrations.
Bauchi State was strategically being repositioned to regain its lost glory as a proud major player in the nation’s agricultural revolution when it was caught unawares by a well-hatchet plan to rob it of the sincere leadership already on display by Muhammed A. Abubakar by enemies of the state within the then ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
How the plan was hatched for execution was known to M.A Abubakar but he chose to remain committed to the peace of the state than paying attention to his detractors. He refused dancing to the tune of violence from the drum beats of his opponents within so desperate to rob the state of good governance for pecuniary gain. The rest is history!
Fortunately enough, after all the brouhaha had settled down in 2019 including brainwashing the presidency with tons of lies and other acts of blackmail against M.A Abubakar by his internal detractors, resulting into the arrival of a new determined sheriff to run the affairs of Bauchi State, M.A Abubakar quietly returned to his base watching from a distance until he got satisfied with the performance of his successor, Sen. Bala Muhammed. It was after a high rating of performance, they came to understand their differences and how the usual betrayers and hypocrites had wanted to sow seeds of discord between the two adorned leaders. The game is now over for those rabble-rousers and habitual blackmails that take pride in their obnoxious trade as another illustrious son of the soil, Sen. Bala Muhammed had taken over. It was jubilation galore throughout.
Bauchi State is now a safe political haven where only the vultures that refused to see reason were left scavenging for imaginary votes against the 2023 re-election bid of the incumbent.
As the journey in good governance driven by Governor Bala progresses steadily, the need has risen from the people for the return of M.A Abubakar SAN to power in 2027, if not for anything, at least to protect the legacies of Bala Muhammed and to continue with the infrastructural development strides and other services for the good of the state as already kick-started by Bala Muhammed which are heartwarming and sources of pride.
To those in doubt and fault-finders, M.A Abubakar has realized some of the human errors he unconsciously committed while in power including underserved trust extended to some lapdogs that pretended to be patriots but instead, messed up the system to their advantage that created hate to the administration unjustifiably. The same characters have since changed spot and now dining and winning in other APC camps for the usual deceit for trust as they were rejected by the ruling party and kept at far distance for fear of their characteristic styles.
Not minding any party difference, of all the touted gubernatorial aspirants in the APC collection, if not M.A Abubakar, Dr Musa Babayo, Sen. Shehu Buba Umar, Barr Ibrahim Zailani and probably Prof Ali Pate, who else is experienced and qualified for the contest?
While PDP parades a ray of credible politicians that can easily make it to the seat of power with the endorsement and support of Governor Bala Muhammed the likes of Sen. Abdul Ningi, Hon. Farouk Mustapha, Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija and few others for the number one top job in the state, who within the APC or any of the other parties can stand the power of incumbency if not an experienced and determined politician with an existing structure for reactivation.
Muhammad is a commentator on national issues.
