2023: North East On The Pendulum
The north-eastern part of Nigeria comprises of six states, the region notably known for the production of crops and livestock which contribute greatly to the economy of the country.
The region is densely populated as compared to the southern region of the country.
The major tribes are Hausa and Fulani and they are largely Muslim; only Borno state has Kanuri people as majority.
There are hundreds minority ethnic groups spread across the region.
In the same vein, the region had never ever produced President since when the country became a federating units, nevertheless, the region this time around stand the chance of producing one; should PDP which has the former vice president, Alh. Atiku Abubakar as its presidential flag bearer come 25 February, 2023 put it’s house in order.
Analyst believes, if the whole region come together for a common purpose, they may succeed in breaking the jinx.
Atiku, an experienced politician and two a term vice president, who attained political fame in 1993 when he lost the SDP presidential primary to MKO Abiola; now contesting for the presidency for the sixth time , he became house hold name as per as national politics is concern, this time again, he is contesting under the political platform of PDP.
But, APC on the other hand fielded the former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senator, Kashim Shettima who happened to came from the same Geo – Political Zone with Atiku as Tinubu’s running mate.
For now, the zone which comprises six states was divided into two of which the PDP has three states to its fold while the APC too controlled three states.
Available records showed that even during the last general election Atiku Abubakar had the upper hand in his state of Adamawa where he defeated President Muhammadu Buhari in term of votes percentage.
Going by the number of the states that make up the region, political observers are of the opinions the APC has certain states considered as its traditional stronghold but luckily the PDP outwitted APC in some states such as Bauchi and Adamawa.
Another contending factor in the North East is Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP who is from the North-west, the former Kano State Governor has large number of followers who he share the same political ideology with in the region, take for example Kwankwaso significant followers in northern Yobe State, which is Zone C, the zone comprises Nguru, Bade, Jaskusko, Yusufari Karasuwa and Machina Local Governments all in Yobe State.
He also has good number of supporters in Zone B, the zone has Potiskum within it’s fold, and is considered the commercial hub of Yobe State.
Kwankwaso so also has teaming supporters in Geidam town, the most popular town in Zone A, it’s one determining point for producing the Senator who represent Zone A, senatorial district in Yobe State.
In other states like Borno, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba Sen. Kwankwaso and his party, the NNPP is a party that full the crowd.
Xrayying The Political Landscape Of The North Eastern States:
Adamawa
Adamawa is a home state to the PDP presidential candidate Alhaji. Atiku Abubakar, and is one of the many states controlled by his party, the PDP,.
Many saw it as a wise decision by Bindow to aligned his political camp with Atiku and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has lighten up the chances of the former vice president in Adamawa which many regarded as a good omen for PDP.
APC, the opposition party in Adamawa State, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani defeated the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Hon Abdulrahman Namdaz, Umar Mustapha and Wafari Theman, Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow, in course of primary elections it didn’t went down well to many political gladiators in the state.
Analyst believes, APC gubernatorial primary election fume the political landscape of Adamawa, and if the stakeholders refuse to do their home work well the situation cannot be control, PDP may continue to exploit the advantage come February, 2023.
Bauchi
Bauchi State, a unique state in the whole political landscape of the North East, it’s the only state in Nigeria that has the highest number of ethnic minorities groups, therefore, it’s always unpredictable to say which party has dominance over one another particularly between the two major political parties, APC and PDP.
Some times to Bauchi people is not about party, they only cast their votes best on who to vote for not the party.
Similarly, they possessed a kind political awareness which is not obtainable else where within the North East Region, another remarkable attributes of Bauchi people is their progressive mind set which seems to be homogeneous particularly among the elites.
They are found of taking a collective decision when ever they deemed it necessary, they can change who they felt not representing them at what ever level through the ballot box.
Therefore, it worth noting that Tinubu’s decision to pick Shettima as his running mate has upset the Christian political leaders in the North East, especially the like of the former Speaker of House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara.Dogara, commands sincere esteem in his constituency which comprises three Local Governments of Tafawa Balewa, Dass and Bogoro, Dogara is a force not to joke with.
Considering how politics unfold it self in Bauchi , this time around the APC presents Air Marshal, Sadique Baba Abubakar as it’s gubernatorial candidate who many believes is a strong contender come February, 2023.
Borno
Right from the year 1999 Borno state continue to remain the APC state, despite several efforts being put by the PDP to whistle power from the APC.
This time around the PDP and its presidential candidate decided to flagged its presidential campaign in the Maiduguri, the city not very much far from Atiku’s home state and it was well organised .
The presidential campaign rally was well attended by thousands supporters of the party that showed how Atiku is accepted throughout the North East.
In Born Baba Gana Umar Zulum wants to be re – elected for second and final term in office.
Taraba
Taraba State is a stronghold of Atiku Abubakar but rivalry exist between Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, a strong chieftain of the PDP and the incumbent governor, Darius Ishaku, so this poised a great set back to the party in the state.
Bwacha exits and joined the APC, he is struggling to pick the governorship ticket of the party, now the matter taking to the Court of Appeal.
YOBE
Yobe State is controlled by APC and it will continue to be so, simply the opposition party, the PDP in the state seems to be very weak in conducting their affairs.
Now with emergence of the NNPP political activities is catching up most especial in the Northern Senatorial District of Zone C where the party has different political position aspirants.
Gombe
Gombe is also a state controlled by the APC, now that Senator Danjuma Goje and the incumbent governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya reconciled their differences, the atmosphere seems to be more appealing and conducive for the APC to reign again beyond February, 2023.
Gombe state was once a state controlled by the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo Governed the state.
Hamisu Ado Nguru, wrote from Damaturu
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