It was by the will of Allah, following the death of Senator Mamman Ali in 2009 that destiny put Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam in the position of governor of Yobe state. Destiny had it that a gap in the constitution enabled him to stay in the position beyond eight years.
Governors are always elected to serve the people. They are custodians of public funds on behalf of the people. They have immunity not because impunity is encouraged but because they need protection to give all their best, without distraction, to the service of the people. But like every other thing in life, a governor’s term is power has limits. After two terms of four years, each a governor has to vacate the government house to another governor elected by the people – and life goes on and on.
It was by the will of Allah, following the death of Senator Mamman Ali in 2009 that destiny put Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam in the position of governor of Yobe state. Destiny had it that a gap in the constitution enabled him to stay in the position beyond eight years. Now, at the end of his term people expected him to show gratitude to them, to show gratitude to Allah for lifting him from obscurity to that exalted office. No one expected him to wake up one day and impose on Yobe APC his choice; Alhaji Mai Malah Buni. Beyond that, the governor also endorsed other aspirants. The endorsement is another way of saying those aspirants will be imposed on the people using state’s scarce resources. This unprecedented abuse of office shows disdain for the people of Yobe.
But what exactly does Governor Ibrahim Geidam want? Why is he keen to impose his choice on 2 million people? Does power come from him or from Allah and the people? Having been in power for 10 years what more does he want? Does he want to plant his puppet so that his ‘reign’ can continue indirectly? Why is he afraid of in free and fair choice of the people? Who is he to decide for Yobe people? Does a decade in power make him start to feel like he is the paramount monarch of Yobe; ruling an empire of impoverished backward state?
People of Yobe state asked for direct primary elections, but the state government used its means to abort this wish of the people. Many found indirect primary election unacceptable because it is susceptible to manipulation and abuse. But even with the imposition of indirect primary elections, the state government is now using threats and intimidation to narrow the choices of delegates. Delegates are threatened with severing of means of livelihood if they voted for aspirants other than those anointed by the governor. Right now account numbers of delegates are collected to facilitate inducement. Verbal warnings are handed down to delegates if they vote for aspirants other than Geidam’s favorite. But why is Yobe state government suddenly uncomfortable with the ‘indirect primary’ elections it worked hard to get? Another plan was to hold APC gubernatorial primary elections in Wawa Hall of Government House Damaturu. The plan is to ensure that government takes full control of the primary elections. Bearing in mind that the governor has anointed aspirant Alhaji Mai Malah Buni how can government house of Yobe state be neutral ground for primary elections. Governor Geidam is well known for his regular banning of people from entering government at the slightest disagreement. How can those he is opposed to get justice or feel comfortable with primary elections within government house Damaturu? How is that possible? Is there no any other neutral ground for such elections to hold in the whole of Yobe state? This unacceptable scheme will not stand. This plan to violate people’s right must not be allowed to happen.
Yobe state government used public funds in buying nomination forms for aspirants endorsed by the governor. Which sub-head of the 2018 budget captured this violation?
Since the day governor, Ibrahim Geidam announced his aspirant for governorship the people of Yobe state have been in shock. Their shock was because the aspirant the governor picked is from the same Zone as the governor himself and former governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim; in between them, they have been ruling Yobe state for over 21 years. Why did Governor Ibrahim Geidam feel that there are no persons qualified to govern Yobe from Zone B or Zone C? Are the people of Zones B and C second class indigenes of the state? Is governorship of Yobe state the sole entitlement of the people of Yobe Zone A? Many of us are angry because even from Zone A the aspirant the governor supports is not the best. People have been asking: what is the qualification and record of the experience of Alhaji Mai Malah Buni? What does Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam want to cover up with the imposition of Alhaji Mai Malah Buni on the people of Yobe state?
The people of Yobe have been bearing with incompetence of Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam for ten years. They want a break. But extending this reign of incompetence with imposing Alhaji Mai Malah Buni on the people will be like from frying pan to fire.
All that the people of Yobe state are asking for is level playing field. Yobe state government should use the funds it has to provide good roads and schools it could not provide in ten years. President Muhammdu Buhari, APC National Chairman Adams Oshimhole and all relevant institutions must pay attention to what is going on in Yobe state. All we are asking for is: freedom to choose, freedom to support whoever we wished and freedom from the tendency of using state apparatus to manipulate the will of the people for personal and selfish ends.
Ahmed Bulama Gulani, Low Cost, Biu Road, Buni Yadi, Yobe state. Email: [email protected]