ADAMU MU’AZU: OXYGEN TO THE SOUL OF PDP

The wise men of old told us that integrity is absolutely essential for anyone who desires to become a person of influence. Integrity is the foundation upon which every other quality is built. A person of integrity will never betray others, or put others in a compromising position.

A person of integrity keeps his priorities right.
Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu, the Walin Bauchi, and former executive governor of Bauchi State is a man who has made significant impact on the lives of people. He is a man who exemplifies humility.

A man not driven by ego, jealousy, or the belief that he is better than others. He is a man who puts the interest of others first.

Indeed, the emergence of the former governor in the race for the national chairmanship of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a welcome development that is likely to usher an improved and forward looking party if he wins.

Born in Boto, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State in 1955, Adamu Mu'azu trained as a Quantity Surveyor at the Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria. He also obtained from other overseas institutions two masters degree in construction management and construction economics. Before he became governor of Bauchi State between 1999 and 2007, he had held many administrative positions including the Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, and that of the then Benue-Plateau Construction Company, as well as a Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, and member of the Bauchi State Rural Development Council. Indeed, Mu'azu is an all rounder in terms of public service engagement.

Adamu Mu'azu is a man who has embraced an attitude of service over the years. He has given both himself and his time to the service of his fatherland. As a man who places premium on transparency, the former governor is very honest with people. He has been a motivator. As a team player, he knows the importance of co-operation, communication and commitment. As a new generation politician, he is imbued with progressive leadership qualities which will advance and bring about the much awaited, anticipated and desired internal democracy within the PDP No one is in a better position to take PDP to greater and higher heights than Adamu Mu'azu. He towers over and above all the other contenders for the PDP top post.

His revolutionary achievements as governor of Bauchi State are unequalled. From education, health, poverty alleviation, housing, roads and rural infrastructure, the story is one of unparalleled success. In the education sector for instance, primary school enrolment rose from 458,350 in 1999 to over 1.2 million in 2007. This is just as Bauchi State rose from 34th position in 1999 to a prestigious 3rd position in 2007 when he left office as governor. In his book, My Tenure Report, he said, '… I have always believed that the best role in history is to leave a legacy for future generations,…if leadership fails to deliver in history, it will be written out of it…' . This testimonial captures the core value and leadership cornerstone of the Walin Bauchi as Mu'azu is popularly called by his many admirers. It means that with Mu'azu as the helmsman of the PDP, a model of leadership will emerge which fits into the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

When asked about his disposition towards President Goodluck Jonathan, Mu'azu had this to say, '… Our President is a firm believer in the idea of good governance, and people are gradually beginning to see the benefits of good governance… our President has been exceptionally dogmatic and very determined to succeed in establishing good governance,… it requires a lot of sincerity of purpose, and this is what our President is striving to do. He has been working hard on all these and because of his hard work, we are getting somewhere…'. The above summation casts Mu'azu in a positive light to work closely with Mr. President for a better Nigeria.

Aljahi Mu'azu's view if elected Chairman of PDP will not be limited to the internal affairs of the party only. In his world view and conception about Nigeria, he sees the country as a people of human values, who have values to teach the entire world.

Ugochukwu writes from Abuja.