What I have noticed in Kebbi under the leadership of Atiku Bagudu is that the Governor was able to strike a balance between working hard at infrastructure building on one hand and providing the resources needed for peace building processes, on the other,
By: Attahiru Faruku
One undeniable fact about the government of Senator Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state is that the society has become much more cohesive, united and peaceful. While attention is being channeled towards what records has government set in the area of provision of infrastructure, I hasten to call attention to one critical aspect of development which is the attainment of peace in a country where the absence of it has brought about government’s inability to even prioritize its function or even have the peace of mind to articulate programs, not to talk of implementing them.
In some states where governments have been able to expend huge resources and have provided infrastructure, the lack of peace has robbed their people of the tranquility required to enjoy those infrastructures.
What I have noticed in Kebbi under the leadership of Atiku Bagudu is that the Governor was able to strike a balance between working hard at infrastructure building on one hand and providing the resources needed for peace building processes, on the other, in a Kebbi state that neighbors three states enmeshed in mindless criminal conduct by criminal gangs and other outlaws. Kebbi too, had, at intervals, suffered infiltrations by bandits hibernating in the bushes of Niger, Zamfara and Sokoto states and these activities have wrought havoc on Kebbi communities around those axis.
Communities in Zuru and Yauri have been targeted and attacked and at some point, the bandits were believed to have began thinking of creating cells and habitats in the bushes of the two areas from where they will be launching attacks inwards, a situation that will embolden the bandits to create the same chaotic nature reminiscent of what we have in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto.
The fact that this did not happen and the fact that the frequency of infiltration into communities in Kebbi was greatly minimized tells us that this achievement was not just attained offhandedly or just by chance. It was worked on. It was meticulously planned and executed by a Governor who realized, from the onset, that if the situation was not adequately addressed and if resources were not channeled to mobilize the people and articulate intelligence gathering, build the proactive capacity and internalize security measures to contain the matter, no one in Kebbi will have had the peace of mind to be talking about infrastructure. How can you drive on a well tarred road if bandits lay in wait for you to kill, injure or kidnap you for ransom that runs into millions?
It is worth noting that despite the huge resources it took to give Kebbi the desired security cover against the antics of bandits, the Kebbi state government has recorded unprecedented achievements in the area of provision of road networks around the state, construction of schools and hospitals as well as giving agriculture the priority it deserved. Kebbi is today a hub for rice production and it has already contributed greatly in reduction in Nigeria’s over reliance on foreign rice – a situation that has adversely affected our national economy.
What critics have failed to understand is that Atiku Bagudu had the option of playing the Ostrich by wasting resources on frivolities or channeling a chunk on what people call human development in which case billions will be expended on party supporters. The Governor too, will have used these as cover to line his pockets. That he has chosen to be a statesman and great lover of Kebbi by being economical and frugal with the scarce resources of the state demonstrates the foresight and vision he has brought to bear in the way he governs Kebbi state.
Politically, the peaceful manner in which the recent primary elections of the ruling APC in the state were conducted points to the commitment of the Governor to bequeath a state worthy of the name and in an atmosphere devoid of uncertainties and fear.
Of course, like in any political contest all over the country, there were pockets of disagreements by those who have lost. But again, like in such situations, the APC family is expected to eschew bitterness of the outcome, in order to forge a more formidable front to confront the bigger challenge which is the general elections of 2023.
The temptation to go into the 2023 battle with a divided house will only divide attention from the main issue. The prospect of losing an election on the basis of a fractured family and the attendant consequences can only be imagined.
