2023: A BITTER TRUTH AND A REMINDER TO THE INCUMBENT AND THE NEW POLITICAL BRIDE'S TO BE.

As it is said "nothing lasts forever especially power that is transient under democrats settings. To that "All that glitters are not gold".

Governor Mallam (Dr) Isah Yuguda governed Bauchi State as Governor from 2007- 2015. He was as powerful as any Governor could be. Infact he had an edge over his contemporaries because he was an in-law to the then president Late Umaru Musa Yar'adua and also an in-law of sort by extension to the 11th on a row Forbes richest man in Africa Alh Aliko Dangote.

During his sweet tenure, he built many edifices in the state and renovated many schools, he fed many day school pupils and even personally taught government schools students economics and financial accounting at random visits. He built roads, culverts, bridges, built an international airport, renovated and upgraded ATB stadium, brought a federal teaching hospital to the state and also built a new State owned hospital called Bauchi State specialist hospital.

In terms of human development, he empowered many youths through gainful employment as state security personals (spider web) owned by rtd Gen Usman Yakubu to be guarding public properties and maintaining orderliness in public places. He massively recruited Teachers through the state teachers service commission (TSC). As if that is not enough, he employed more health personnels, judiciary officers, massively appointed many youths as SSA's , SA's, PA's, youths empowerment through skills aquisation programs, he offered youth scholarships to study different courses in different parts of the world through the office of the ministry of higher education, regular payments of secondary students SSCE within the State especially, for the state indigenes, various academics interventions through BACYWARD under the highly reverted prof Musa Ashom Maisamari as the chairman. Almost all the 20 LGAs general hospital were renovated and equipped. Religious activities like yearly pilgrimage was also among his government top priorities. Equally, religions building in the states, both in towns and local areas where not left out. In facts Hospitals had more drugs and equipped when he was in charge.

His scorecard on Education was very impressive as he always paid more attention to human development and stomach infrastructure. He also built schools and promoted agriculture by supplying fertiliser and equipment including many tractors which were available even after he left office.

When he was Governor for ( years, his posters and billboards littered our streets. His portraits adorned the walls of offices and receptions of hotels. His brother Dr Dabo, the then subeb chairman was like a "Prince " highly worshipped by sycophants and his son’s house was a mecca of some sort.

Few months after he left office, his posters disappeared. His billboards became other peoples' billboards. His boys popularly known as "Matawalle" boys within the state metropolis around Nasarawa Jahun disappeared . Worshippers abandoned Abdulmunmuni Kundak, Hajiya Mariya, Abiodun, Ishola Macheal, Dr Gital, Alh Lanzai, Dr Dabo, Ibrahim and embraced a new Prince.

During ceremonies or meetings, you hardly see those who benefitted from Yuguda standing behind him. Instead, he became a follower. His recent Public appearance in the state if I can remember very well, was when he honoured and witnessed a football match played between former Nigerian super eagle's old timers players against the combination of Bauchi professional clubs players organized by Amb Nuhu Dallaji at ATB stadium which he earlier renovated and upgrades. People hardly talk about him or Ibrahim, his son who is presently contesting to be a member of Federal house of representatives under APC platform. They changed their place of worship as soon as he left the Government House. What an irony. This world is not fair nor balance at all!

When Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was President, his smiling face was on every billboard from the city centre to the Abuja airport. Streets and flyovers were named after him and his kitchen cabinets like Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iwela, Prof Dora Akunyili, princess Stella Oduah, Mr Godsday Orubebe, Labaran Maku, Akinwumi Adesina, Doyin Okupe, Reno Omokri, Alison Maduekwe among others. He was the king in those moments. I still remember the many songs that were waxed in his name; The lion, the tiger, the Prince charming, the handsome king. Was there any beautiful name they did not give GEJ ?
They got favours but deceived him. They used the Boko Haram insurgency as a smoke screen to foster their ambition. They (especially the northerners) used him and abandoned him as soon as they realized he was losing the election in 2015.

Today, many of his ministers have shifted camp and their once unalloyed loyalty to him have vaporized except for few like his ever grateful former FCT minister and present governor of Bauchi State Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (kauran Bauchi) who always refer to him as his mentor and godfather recently honoured him in Bauchi by inviting him to commission a street named after him in Bauchi around ATBU old campus/sabon Kaura axis. He lost their LOVE and LOYALTY as soon as he left Aso Rock Villa except his family, close friends and relatives stick to him as usual.

Where is Saraki now? His family produced political demigods who determined what happened in kwara and Kogi States. Can you see what is happening there now? Alh Abdulfatah, Lai Mohammed have almost hijacked all the structures in the state? The once “all powerful” family have lost the influence and loyalty they once command in the state as many have since shifted loyalty and changed base. This is the situation in almost every state within the country Nigeria.

This will be the situation at all times. That is how it is. Nothing lasts forever. It is the transient nature of all things. As kings come, kings also go. Interestingly, we are in a crazy and funny world . Those who beat the drums, sing songs and dance electrifying steps to make you feel like a god when you are in power will disappear as soon as the crown goes off your head.

Please who remember the once upon a time, a Borno lion king, Alh Ali modu sheriff, Gombe state Usman Dan kwambo, Bauchi Adamu Muazu, Adamawa Boni Haruna and Murtala Nyako,Taraba Jolly Nyame and Dan Baba Suntai Danfulani, plateau Joshua Chibi Dariye, Kogi Capt Idris Wada, Kebbi leaders like Governor Abubakar Musa, Senator Na'amo Abdullahi or the then charismatic Sambawa? In kaduna, you hardly hear the name Makarfi, Patrick Yakowa and Alh Namadi Sambo. Was Sambo not our Vice President and second in command?

Presently, it is only a few months left. We shall soon have new kings, new prince's, new posters and new billboards. Loyalty will shift. Worship grounds will change. Songs will change. Insults will flow. Those who are behaving as if tomorrow will not come, will be relegated to the background as they are ushered out of the corridors of power like what Dr Rueben Abbati the former presidential spokesman write on a topic "the phone don't longer ring's" .
All of a sudden, they will become gentle, sober, reserved and polite as the reality of life dawns on them. Sirens will not be blown for them anymore (probably unless they are dead). Courtesies will be dwarfed for them and then, less friends, less respect, less publicity, less power, less invitations, less public appearance, less, less, less, less...!

On a sad note, to the incumbent Just a few months left we will all become equall! Is this world predictable? The table of power always turn and they will be treated how they treated people if not worst.

My earnest prayer, is for God to see us through and help us witness a peaceful transition of power and bless us with good leaders like Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro, Barr Kefas Musa Magaji, Hon Musa Wakili Nakwada, Hon Iliya Habila, JP, Mrs Hassana Arkila, sen Bala Mohammed among many honest leaders in our community and the country at large.
Also, may God punished and handle all the outgoing leaders with whatever they did and gave us in the same way they treated us.

✍️ Written by Wulumba Iliya Jatau Algamu.
Phone: 07039327637.
Email:wulumbailiya4@gmail.com