NIGER NORTH EXPERIENCE: Senator Ibrahim Musa’s Miracles….. Season 1.
It was a Friday and the sun was as fierce as a blacksmith's flames. I had called my friend a Journalist in Abuja earlier to inform him that the distinguished Senator had granted us audience for his views on an ongoing project. With a friend we left Minna that Friday afternoon for Abuja. On arriving the nation's capital, Abuja, we went to pick up my Journalist friend at Maitama and from there headed to the Senator's Palace. Even though we are neighbors with the senator back in Kontagora, I had never met him face to face. So, I was wondered about his kind of person. It was a thirty minute drive to the senator's place, and when we were ushered inside his abode there he was charting with friends like ordinary every day folks without a say in the affairs of the nation.
''Assalama'alaikum'' we said, and they replied in the same manner. ''Sir, my name is Fodio Ahmed,'' I began as a way of introduction. “Oh! Fodio, how are you, let's go inside” he said. And that was how I met the senator and discussed politics with him. Senator Ibrahim Musa our host was more than a genial fellow and his humility influenced my decision to write this essay to reflect his journey into politics.
Niger North Senatorial district consists of 8 local governments and also referred to as “ZONE C” in political parlance.
The senatorial district under the leadership of Rtd DIG Nuhu Aliyu Auna who joined politics in 1997. He became a card carrying member of the then United Nigerian Peoples Party (UNPP), and in 1998 became one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state. He became the state chairman of the party before; he resigned to contest for the senatorial seat in 1999. In the Senate, Senator Nuhu Aliyu Auna served as the Chairman Senate Committee on police affairs and in 2001 he became the Chairman Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence respectively.
He became a Senator in 1999 until 2011 after serving as a senator for twelve years. Obviously, the Zone got fed up with his failed representation in many aspects. His fellow constituent members sump up his inactivity enthusing that he lacked the spirit of integration and he was faulted on the following lines; sharing, power in decision making, Poor listening ability to electorates, very low leadership fore-sight, low concentration on Youth engagement programs, and Poor stewardship among others, are among the ills which saw to his losing out of favour with his constituency.
The people voted in Barrister Ibrahim Musa of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) during the 2011 general elections. The man who before becoming a politician in 2011 was engaged in his legal practice which without doubts influenced and molded his political philosophy and leadership
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A call for societal service was made; Not Self-Service and Ibrahim did answered.
The Barrister's societal belief is anchored on the sound ideology of selfless service to humanity through accountable and transparent leadership to the people. Even though, his political ambition was underestimated especially by Kontagorian elites and cash tycoons who didn't care to support his campaign, probably for fear that he might not survive a three times Senator's money and influence. But fate is decided not by man but by Allah, so he tried and won eventually to amusement and abashment of many who never gave him a chance.
Clinching the senatorial seat was an unanticipated miracle. The solidarity of the electorates was overwhelming, willing they gave him their trust and votes. Perhaps they were convinced that he could bring the change needed in the district and as God will have he has remained focused and faithful to their courses, unlike the wasted 12 years of Senator Nuhu Aliyu.
According to Abigail Adams, wife to John Adams the fist Vice president and Second president of USA in her words says “Great necessities call forth great leaders” Indeed It does call, if the electorates are open to such leaders. His administrative acumen has fascinated a lot of progressives especially his repositioning of the zone politically to compete for development favorably with zones of the state. Especially now that governorship of the state is turned towards the zone
Ibrahim Musa as the leader of the All Progressive Congress in Niger state has maintained transparency, equality and firm commitment towards the unity and development of not only his senatorial district but the party and the entire state. The calm senator who is popularly called “THE SILENT ACHIEVER” by his followers has made himself a major force in the political equation of Niger State via his endorsement by the Youths.
I enjoin you all to keep a date with Mai Gemu for more analysis on the achievements of the Senator question.
To be continued……………………………..
By Fodio Ahmad (MAI GEMU)