2015: APC, PDP’s battle for Nasarawa

ADEMOLA ADEGBITE of Nigerian Tribune examines the perception of the opposition to the three-year rule of Governor Tanko Al- Makura-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Nasarawa State and the hurdles on governor’s way to re-election in 2015. The journey towards the realisation of the democratic aspirations has been herculean with the attendant challenges of nation-building. However, as daunting as the challenges are, they are necessary experiences to nurture civil administration to maturity. In Nasarawa State, the third anniversary of Governor Tanko Al-Makura was initially expected to be marked with fanfare but in deference to the mood of the country over the abducted Chibok girls, the occasion was only marked solemnly. The state has had its share of challenges that are a reflection of the national experience. The state has witnessed a series of communal clashes with attendant high casualty figure. The skirmishes were perceived by the pro-Establishment group to have been masterminded by aggrieved politicians accused of working to frustrate and distract the governor. But in spite of the clashes, the governor’s social contract with the people of the state continued. Since his assumption of office on May 29, 2011, Governor Al- Makura made a solemn commitment based on his party’s covenant with the people to confront the developmental challenges with determination by aggressively pursuing objectives that would move the state forward. One striking aspect of Al-Makura’s performance was his maximising to the advantage of Nasarawa, the proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, particularly through the restructuring of the land administration regime of the state by introducing the Nasarawa Integrated Geographic Information System (NAGIS). This effort has yielded more than 100 per cent increase in the Internally Revenue Generation (IGR) capacity of the state in this sub-sector. NAGIS, according to the governor, when fully operational, is capable of generating more revenue than what the state receives as allocation from the Federation Accounts. Despite the meager monthly revenue allocation accruing to the state from Federation Account vis-a-vis the increasing wage bill and other socio-economic obligations to lift the state to the next level of development, the government explored all possibilities to accelerate its efforts towards IGR. The government evolved policies and programmes aimed at transforming the socio-economic profile of the state. Al-Makura also identified the development of markets as a major source of promoting trade and commerce, the veritable tools for increased IGR. It is for this reason that the APC-led government intensified effort towards ensuring that Lafia Modern Market and the Karu International Market are fully utilised to boost commercial activities. Dotting the landscape across the state are road projects which have improved the road network in the state. Other strides of the governor are: agricultural schemes aimed at boost food sufficiency and earning foreign exchange from agriculture produce; construction of model schools; rural electrification; improved health care delivery system; women and youth empowerment; and so on. Despite these projects, the government of Al-Makura has received knocks from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has continue to puncture what Al- Makura parades as achievements. According to the PDP, the projects in the state are not commensurate with the quantum of money that had accrued to his government in the last three years. PDP’s reaction was said to have confirmed the speculated moves by the PDP national headquarters to ensure Al- Makura is voted out in 2015. A credible source at the PDP secretariat also informed the Nigerian Tribune that the race for 2015 began immediately after the celebration of the last lapse of the current administration in the state. Another source in the PDP added that the Presidency had given a marching order to the party’s leaders to ensure that Nasarawa is won for the PDP in 2015. This development, Nigerian Tribune further learnt, is causing sleepless night among the gladiators within the party, particularly between the two major contenders who happen to belong to the same ethnic nationality- Eggon, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Senator Solomon Ewuga, who is perceived to be a grassroot politician. Senator Ewuga is seen by the political observers in the state as the only credible candidate now can give Al- Makura a serious fight. However, the recent death of scores of security personnel at Alakyio village is being mouthed as one incident that can be a barricade to his aspiration. Although there are other aspirants under the umbrella of PDP, it was gathered that some of them are only seeking for political relevance, as they are not seriously concerned about the governorship ticket. They are said to have known where the pendulum is likely to swing. It was gathered further that President Goodluck Jonathan alongside PDP leadership is trying to persuade all the contenders to explore the consensus option with a view to giving the APC run for its money in 2015. This, it was said, has not gone down well with them, as they insisted on primaries. The major contenders who have signified their intention for Lafia Government House are Senator Ewuga, Mr Maku, Dr Yusuf Agabi, ex-governor Aliyu AkweDoma and former Zamfara State Military administrator, Alhaji Jubrin Bala Yakubu. They are all within the PDP fold. With this array of contenders, pundits say Governor Al- Makura may not have it smooth next year, unlike in 2011 when prominent sons and daughters of Eggon Nation, Senator Ewuga inclusive, threw their weight behind him to defeat the then sitting governor, Alhaji Doma of the PDP, with less than five thousands votes. Observers are quick to point out however that, if elections are to be based on achievements and not sentiment or ethnicity, Al-Makurais likely to have an edge due to the development he has brought to the state. Many say the state had never had it so good until his coming. His giant strides has led to the defection of scores of members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ruling APC in state, with assurance to work assiduously to ensure re-election of Governor Al-Makura in 2015, apart from the initial defection of PDP stalwarts and their followers to APC. The leader of the decampees, who was also the Chairman of APGA in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, Mr Godwin Alaku,said they took that decision due to the governor’s leadership style and his developmental strides since assumption of office. Apart from empowering 1,470 physically challenged, particularly women, widows and the indigent, from all the 147 electoral wards in the state during the just concluded third anniversary, the government has also entered into partnership with Gallaudet University in the United States of America with a view to providing conducive atmosphere for people with disability. Speaking during the low-key celebration of his third anniversary in office in Lafia, the state capital, Governor Al-Makura said his government began execution of policies and programmes that were beneficial to the educational needs of the children and youth population. “This policy covers primary to secondary school levels. I am happy to say that this gesture is being extended to the tertiary level for the people living with disabilities. Agriculture which remains mainstay of our economy and employs about 80 per cent of the population of the state, our government has entered into partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Rice Post-harvest Processing Marketing Pilot Project (RIPMAPP) where farmers were trained on rice processing and marketing management. “We have repositioned four Skills Acquisition Centres across the state with increase of youth and women enrolment. In collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), government has also engaged 1,500 youths to learn various vocational trades. It is gratifying that this effort has earned the state an award as the best in vocational education in the country”, he added.