PRAYER RALLY FOR BUHARI /OSIBANJO IN YOLA :I SUSPECT A POLITICAL UNDERTONE -UMAR DUHU

Umar Duhu is one of the vibrant Politician in the North East that brought about the existence and the popularity of All progressives Congress (APC) party in the North East and the country at large, he became the pioneer leader of the party vice Chairman, chairing the National Chairman on the party’s affairs in the North East region. In this interview with our Correspondent Tom Garba in Yola, he talked on the visit of a group under the auspices of 2019 Buhari /Osinbajo prayer rally held in Yola. Excerpts

Q. A rally and prayers session for the good health of Mr. President was held in Yola on Saturday by the Buhari – Osinbajo 2019 in Yola, what have you to take?

Every well meaning Nigerian must always pray for its leaders, irrespective of faith, tribe and political divide. The prayer session was a good sign of love the people of Adamawa has for Mr. President who partly is our son and currently on medical vocation in London. But, I am little disappointed with the organizers of the exercise. As far as Adamawa State is concerned today, we only have one governor His Excellency Sen. Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla. This kind of an all important exercise should have been on the behest of the governor, which I am sure, if it was with his consent that, the important exercise was organized, Adamawa State government would have invited all well meaning citizens of Adamawa State to grace the occasion, and I know as of fact, everyone would attend.

Offering prayers is a two ways affairs. It goes to the person for whom prayers is offered and you that is offering the prayers, Allah shall reward you accordingly. Personalities like His Excellency the former Vice Present, all serving and former government functionaries and the cream of the political class Adamawa has, were conspicuously absent at the rally held yesterday, and this is principally for the ways the handler dealt with the issues. I suspect political undertone in the exercise, and that has attributed to the low turnout.

Q. Do you suspect any political undertone in the Yola rally?

To some extent, yes. These prayer exercises has been on for long time now at the behest of the Governor of Adamawa State in both the Mosques and Churches of Adamawa State and I believe it same as directed by their excellencies in most States of the Federation. Why will this one be different in Adamawa State? Courtesy demands that, the Governor who is the chief security officer of the State should be in the know, even for courtesy?

The group called itself ‘Buhari – Osinbajo 2019’. The name is okay. They love Buhari as most of us have clamour for the reelection of Buhari / Osinbajo and non of us, party faithfuls is against this idea. We believe, there is wisdom in continuity and as an APC stalwart, I hold that, from the Federal Government to all the States controlled by APC, the Party should give them automatic tickets for their second term, as they rightly deserve their second terms. But, you know, we are in politics and no one can be denied of his or her political ambition. As a session politician, I know, running against an incumbent who has performed, is an exercise in futility and complete waste of resources. Eight year is very minute in the life of a nation. If it is destined that someone will govern a people, even if that person is One Hundred years old, God The Almighty has the Powers and Knowhow to make it possible.

I want my brothers from within and outside the APC circle to understand that, teaming up with constituted authorities to build our States and the Nation, is much better than being antagonistic. Nigeria is still in recession and no one should be left in doubt. Everyone knows too, poverty is endemic, particularly, for our peoples of the insurgency reddened areas of Madagali, Michika and other Five LGA’s in Adamawa State. As Mr. President has significantly dealt and decimated the insurgents, Governor Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla too, has done significantly in infrastructure in Adamawa State. Therefore, what is good for the goods is also good for the gander. Those clamouring for Buhari – Osinbajo 2019, should have carried the same banner of ‘Bindow / Martin 2019, so as not to be viewed as selfish and no one would tag them for mischief.

Since both Leaders have done well, my advise to both the Federal and State governments, is to speedily embark on human resource development before the election year. Once this is done, Nigerians and Adamawalites, should be rest assured, APC Government will remain thrive for decades to come.

Q. Sir don’t you think it’s natural for the Governor to show case his presence in person or by delegation seeing the magnanimity and the calibre of people attended?

A. As I said before, no matter what, the Governor is the chief security officer of state and should be in the know of everything. Adamawa state governor is one active Governor and had no doll day or moment in his line of programs. As a matter of fact I am aware that, at the weekend, Governor Bindow received the Former Military head of states and his entourage, General Yakubu Gowon came to the state to Pray not only for Buhari but the entire country. Saturday of that same weekend, the governor along side all his cabinet members were in Gada Mayo in Song LGA to launch a bridge construction that has been abandoned since the colonial era.

I can only say that, I respect the maturity and gentleman nature of Governor Bindow. This is like a scenario when people will badge into your house without notice,nmess up the house, eat everything, carted away with your valuables in the house and all these people still aspect you to tell them welcome to my house?

Q. I noticed a kind of political differences, brewing separate factions. How do you view it?

This kind of episode if not well manage it will lead to acrimony that might degenerate to a serious internal Crisis in our party in the state, which could give the opposition an avenue to want to grasp the Dogirei Government House. The Governor is really trying and even the oppositions parties are saying “Well done”, and I see no any reason why the ruling party will not give him the needed support. It must also be noted; “A house divided against itself will certainly not stand firm. But, I pray we remain one indivisible APC.