Imam Imam
19 August 2008
analysis
Lagos — University of Tea is one of Gusau's most popular Shayi (tea in local parlance) joints. Among its many 'students' are politicians, businessmen, political thugs, security operatives, artisans, sports men and other members of the society.
Due to its proximity to the Nigeria Union of Journalists' Press Centre, members of the fourth estate of the realm are not left out in visiting this self-styled university. The unique thing about the joint is its preponderance to gauging public opinion and sharing it among its vast network of customers. What you hear in this 'university,' is certainly what goes on in town. And with the diverse background of its students, this university provides divergent views ranging from political to religious and support for European soccer clubs.
For the past 10 months, one subject that has been discussed repeatedly in this joint is the activities of the so-called 'Two Timers', a pro-Shinkafi association whose influence and membership is growing by the day. Their one and only objective is to ensure a second term for Governor Aliyu Shinkafi. Being a relatively young state, the two timers mode of operations has never been seen in Zamfara before. They have the latest and the best cars in town, they marry the most beautiful women around, and wher ever they go, one feature stands them out: They are loud and their exotic cars' plate numbers bear the same message: MAS 2 Terms. The youths are quite visible in all parts of the state. They move about in convoys and with open top cars. In addition, anywhere the governor goes, a horde of the youths follows him. At functions, his speeches are always interrupted with shouts of "Two Terms." Even the sanctuary of Government House,Gusau is not spared as the boys move in and out of the seat of power without any check from security operatives manning the gates.
It may sound awkward in many places that just over a year into a four -year term; an administration could waste its energy in the battle for another term which is three years away. But in Nigerian politics, the norm does not always apply. In Zamfara state today, virtually everything has come to a halt, except the push for Shinkafi's second term. And no one is left out of the fray. From the governor's immediate family to civil servants, many have no option than to follow the bandwagon or risk being left behind. And that means going out of favour with some of the governor's most trusted allies, especially his Chief of Staff, Malam Musa Zubairu.
Zubairu has today become the recognisable face of everything Shinkafi's administration stands for. A retired Airforce officer with a military brand of loyalty, he is bestriding the state's political landscape like a colossus. He also doubles as the secretary of the state chapter of the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He oversees the activities of all the second term associations. As at the last count, nothing less than 75 of such associations exist at various levels of party hierarchy in the state. The groups vary in size depending on the financial muscle of their proprietors. However, even the relatively poor ones do eventually get some financial assistance from the state government, which enables them to buy exotic cars and paint them with various inscriptions showing their concern for Shinkafi.
In terms of funding, observers are of the opinion that most of them get allocations directly from government. That has so far not been proven. However, the youths get various 'donations' from agencies and parastatals, as well as from political office holders who assist in their formation. However, the big boys among them are the ones getting contracts from government. They in turn get enough resources to fund their activities. Smaller ones are backed by prominent businessmen as well as leading contractors who have been the major beneficiaries of big contracts from the Shinkafi's administration.
Some of those donations are made public. Last weekend, Senator Sahabi Ya'u Kaura, representing Zamfara North Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, donated N10m on behalf of himself and his family for the success of Shinkafi's second term ambition. Speaking at the occasion, he said he has no option than to take such a course of action because, according to him, 'everyone in my constituency seem to be supporting two term.' He added: "As a politician, the need and desire of the people of my constituency comes first. I have no option than to go where my people want me to be. That is the essence of representation. I have given my support for two terms and will continue to do so until our objective has been achieved in 2011." In the same vein, his colleague , Senator Hassan Muhammed Gusau (Zamfara Central), said he too has been left with little choice than to support the governor's ambition. "His achievements in the last one year speak for itself. He has reduced lots of workload for us since he will not have to campaign much. Every one in this state has seen what has been achieved as such, they don't need much convincing. They have seen it on ground and they are satisfied with it. So two terms is as good as it has happened. We are only waiting for the day to come."
But the question is: Why would a government, with a huge task ahead of it, waste its energy and resources in seeking something that at best will amount to a distraction? Zamfara state commissioner for information , Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaliki said such position is promoted by people with warped view of happenings in the state. He said the second term issue arose out of the people's genuine desire to identify with the achievements of the present administration in the last one year. "The whole issue emanated from the governor's supporters. Gradually, the people of the state saw good in it and they followed suit. Today even the government is surprised at the intensity of what is happening. So what is happening in the state is a welcome development. It shows people are happy with what we have done in all sectors and it is their way of showing their support.
"You see, upon assumption of office last year, Governor Shinkafi promised, among other things, to develop all sectors of the state with a view to creating a peaceful, industrialised, secure and economically-viable state. So just over a year into the journey, many have rated the present administration as one of the best performing states in the entire federation. Take education for instance, the present administration has so far spent over N20 billion on the renovation of existing schools and construction of new ones to revive the sector. Zamfara became the first state in the country to make use of UNICEF recommendations when it allocated the highest share of 26% of its 2008 budget to education. The entire sector is being overhauled with the construction of new hostels, laboratories, libraries, staff quarters and enhancement of the welfare of both academic and non academic staff early this year, about 700 science teachers were recruited from Benue and Kwara states to fill the gap in teacher-student ratio in the state.
"In agriculture, government is revolutionising rice production with the introduction of the Bakolori rice cultivation scheme. Other crops like cotton ,groundnut, maize and sorghum are getting adequate attention through the enhanced Zamfara agricultural revolution programme. This farming season alone, over 75,000 tonnes of fertiliser has been procured and distributed to farmers at subsidised rates, while tractors have been procured and distributed to aid their production process. This government is also investing over N30b on construction of roads and bridges to link various parts of the state. The multiple streams and rivers littering Zamfara landscape is being connected with one part of the state to another. Emphasis has also been laid on the development of both urban and rural roads. The first phase of the project has seen the construction of old Kwata, GRA-Abarma, Kwatarkwashi-Mada and Government House roads in Gusau. Similar projects are either ongoing or about to commence in all the 14 local government areas of the state.
"Importantly, in our effort to open up the state, an International Cargo Airport will be built in Gusau to complement efforts at attracting investment from within and outside the country. This is in addition to an independent power project the government is embarking on. When completed, the power project will boost electricity supply to the state and will, in turn, promote SMEs for the benefit of our people. Don't forget the fact that sectors like water supply, poverty eradication, information management and dessimination, tourism development, ICT and the rest have all been given adequate attention and are being developed simultaneously with a view to meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state. All those projects and more, contributed in enduring the governor to the people hence the call on him to go for second term," he added.
It appears the pro-Shinkafi youths are out to send a message, especially with the increasing rift between the governor and his predecessor Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima. Shinkafi is largely seen as some one who rode on the crest of Yarima's popularity to become a governor. However, with the misunderstanding between them becoming public, he has taken steps to build his own political structure independent of his benefactor. A few months ago, support for the governor among organized youth groups has almost been non-existent. In fact, few months after his inauguration, the feeling among many in the state is that Shinkafi will be a one-term governor. Back then, he was nicknamed Simba Baka Takwas, meaning he is a one-term governor. However, considering the damage such insinuations have on politician's ambitions, it does appear that the governor and his advisers have devised a strategy to counter the anti-two term elements, and they have done it with perfection.
The most effective weapon being used by the government is the various projects it is executing all over the state in virtually all sectors. From education to roads, healthcare to electricity supply, youths development to sports, all the sectors have seen tremendous improvement in the last one year. In Zamfara today, there is a general feeling that this government is different from its predecessor. This feeling arose from the government's decision to touch important areas hitherto left unattended to. The biggest problem bedeviling Gusau, the state capital ,was lack of adequate water supply. The situation was compounded by the collapse of the Gusau Barrage Dam two years ago and last year, just before the general elections, the town faced water shortages never seen in decades. Some how, the new government tasked its engineers and today water has started flowing in taps in the town. In a long while, bulldozers, cranes and other heavy construction materials are a constant sight on the streets of Gusau, an indication that something is going on. The very popular Ali Akilu Square in the centre of the state capital has made way for a multi-billion Naira Specialist Hospital while a site has already been earmarked for the state University and an Airport.
At the beginning of his tenure last year, Governor Shinkafi faced serious battle from supporters of the former regime of Ahmed Sani Yarima who felt the new governor had renegade on his promise to carry every body from the old order along. It was a battle that sometimes was fought on the streets of major towns and villages. The bone of contention was the way the new government executes its projects and who benefits. After a few months in office, it became apparent that the era of sharing of state resources to individuals was over; in essence, it signaled the death (so far) of the much talked about Human Development Theory. First, the new governor, in his early utterances, spoke of his desire to develop the infrastructure of the state which, according to him, will support all his developmental projects. And unlike the previous regime, he promised to work with only people who are qualified to run the affairs of the state. By this, political hangers on were effectively dealt with.
Defending the activities of the youths, Governor Shinkafi's spokesman Adamu Sani Katuru said it is a reflection of the popularity of the governor and shows the acceptability of the new administration. "No one told them to mobilize any body for the government. Those youths use their resources, their time and their energies to show support for the governor. Some risk their lives because they follow the governor to all parts of the state to show their love and desire to have him continue in office for the next eight years. I think it is an expression of democratic tenet and the state is happier for it." To Katuru, no one is sponsoring the youths. "Most of them have good jobs that earn them serious cash. I don't have to name anyone, but go round town and you will discover that most of them get their incomes from genuine sources which have been in existent even before the coming of this administration."
Though many of Shinkafi's supporters share Katuru's sentiments, opposition party supporters and other neutral observers feel it is too early to begin campaign and mobilization for a second term. They feel the present clamour is only a distraction to the daunting task of developing the state. PDP chieftain and former Minister of Environment ,Ikra Aliyu Bilbis said the most worrisome aspect of the present clamour is that they are more or less holding the governor hostage with their activities. "They are unnecessary distraction. I have said it times without number that the governor has started well. The last one year has seen tremendous improvement in the provision of social amenities to the people of the state. The little success recorded in the last one year was more than what was achieved in the eight years ANPP wasted in power from 1999 to 2007. However, the successes will be coming under siege because I doubt if they will allow the governor to continue with what he is doing in the next three years. The whole second term thing is about what will come to their pockets, and unfortunately, public resources are being used to oil the second term machinery. I hope they can realize their mistakes before it is too late."
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