YOBE: THOSE WHO 'LL NOT BE COMMISSIONERS
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State had before May 29 dissolved his council and relieved all the special advisers and special assistants. He even released N124 million as severance packages for them.
Many of the dropped commissioners and other aides are cracking kernels, scrubbing floors and loosening knots in a bid to be or reappointed. Feelers indicated that many of them would not make it back. The situation is causing discomfit for many in the state. Daily Sun learnt that many of the former commissioners were said to have made frantic efforts to see the governor to no avail.
Gaidam at different fora accused them of being 'saboteurs and selfish' who do not have the interest of the people and the state at heart. Some of the former commissioners for instance could not represent the government well. They most times depended on the governor's media aide, Abdullahi Bego for the promotion of the activities of the government under their ministries or establishments.
Gaidam while receiving people from Yobe South led by his deputy, Abubakar Aliyu on a congratulatory visit after the party's success in the last election gave criteria of those that would form his new cabinet. He said his government would be made up of committed people who are generous and not selfish and could extend government goodwill on behalf of the governor. Those who met the criteria set by the governor were the ones the people termed 'the beautiful faces.'
Some of those who are not likely to make it are already having a running battle with the people from their areas. Some communities protested to the governor against some of the former commissioners.
Would-be commissioners
Alhaji Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, former Commissioner for Housing. He was the director-general of the campaign organization that worked for the election of the governor. Mai Mala Buni was the secretary of the campaign organization. He was the pioneer state chairman of the Action Congress and later joined the campaign train of Gaidam. He is one of the most articulate among the governor's former aides.
Yusuf Bala Haladu iis very loyal and humble and former Commissioner for Information. Ahmed Mustapha Goniri was the Commissioner for Justice who remained in the good book of the governor. He has the blessing of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a major factor in the Gaidam's government. Alhaji Bukar Dauda, former Commissioner for Local Government is one of the governor's right hand men. He is from the same local government, Yunusari with the governor.
Alhaji Kaigama Umar, former Commissioner for Finance, is one of the governor's trusted henchmen. He served as a local government chairman and at the state assembly and then commissioner several times. Alhaji Bukar Idrissa Machinama, former Commissioner for Integrated Rural Development is the younger brother of the Emir of Machina.
Malam Garba Maidugu was Special Adviser to Gaidam on Special Duties. He may displace a former commissioner, Mohammed Al-Amin.
Asmau Kibir Kolo, from Damaturu was Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Alhaji Nadu Aji Juluri was a confidant of the late Senator Mamman Bello Ali. He was member of the National Economic Intelligence Commission (NEIC) and chairman of Verification Committee in the government of Ali. He is being favoured in place of a former commissioner from his area, Alhaji Musa Maina Dumburi, the former Commissioner for Agriculture.
Aliyu Shehu, former Commissioner for Special Duties, was initially at Ministry of Commerce. He is likely not to make it back. Alhaji Ahmed Wakil Sarki was Commissioner for Information and later Ministry of Environment. He had serious battle with the media when he was the Commissioner for Information.
Sani Musa Lawan was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning. He resigned and contested and was the only ANPP candidate that lost. The people of Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency had told the governor that they would not vote for him, a reason that accounted for the emergence of Mai Nasara, the only PDP candidate who won election.