Politics
Lest Nigerian Youths Be Deceived By Obasanjo’s Sanctimony And Revisionism
Lest Nigerian Youths Be Deceived By Obasanjo’s Sanctimony And Revisionism
By: Dele Alake
On the whole, the latest epistolary misadventure by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a gratuitous insult on the collective intelligence of Nigerians. In particular, his laborious attempt to prey on the innocence of much younger generation constitutes a grievous assault on public morality, seeking to force morsels of sheer falsehood down the throats of a demography perhaps too young to comprehend events which Obasanjo furiously tried to misrepresent.
It is noteworthy that it was the Obasanjo administration that abolished the teaching of history in Nigerian schools ostensibly to aid this kind of historical revisionism he routinely engages in; a decision now happily reversed by the President Muhammadu Buhari government.
Contestants for the presidential office in Nigeria routinely consult with and court Obasanjo , not because of his electoral value which is minuscule, but out of respect for his status as a former Head of State. It is, however, obvious that the man himself has no respect for that status, as he continuously embroils himself in partisan politics in a most pretentious and dishonest manner and refuses to rise to the demands of statesmanship.
In the statement entitled “My Appeal To All Nigerians Particularly Young Nigerians”, General Obasanjo rtd plumbed into new depth in hubris and hypocrisy never seen in all his career as political busybody after office who seems to see Nigeria as a movie where only he is the all-conquering hero while others are doomed villains. Some psychoanalysts are wont to diagnose this Obasanjo’s peculiar political affliction as post-power-withdrawal-syndrome (PPWS): false omniscience compounded by chronic inability to accept the reality of being out of political office.
Even in the US, whose variant of presidential system of government we practise, former Presidents maintain a decorous distance from government after office, opting wisely not to be a distraction to their successors. Not so the meddlesome Obasanjo.
That same mindset led him to stab MKO Abiola in the back in faraway Harare, Zimbabwe, by saying he was not “a messiah” even when most Nigerians had started viewing the winner of the June 12 polls of 1993 as the symbol of democracy after the annulment. It soon came to light that whereas a group of retired generals including Muhammadu Buhari and Theophilus Danjuma were resolute in their call for the de-annulment through the platform of a “committee of elders”, Obasanjo, the supposed “convener”, was said to have plotted the floating of an “interim government” to replace the now discredited Babangida regime.
While Obasanjo’s right to support any candidate of his choice in the forthcoming presidential polls must be recognized as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution, how condescending of him to decree his preference on Nigerians based on a cocktail of bare-faced lies and crude revisionism. In fact, there’s a widespread allegation that the latest gambit by the political busybody of Ota is part of a larger nefarious scheme to incite disorder around the country with a view to clearing the grounds for the resurrection of his favourite contraption: interim national government (ING) !
Third term agenda
Contrary to his posturing as a democrat who came to office for the second time at a questionable age 62 and left at 70, Obasanjo’s feverish gamble for life presidency between 2005 and 2006 was actually thwarted by a pro-democracy coalition of progressives like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and several others.
Bribes ranging from N50m to N100m (amounting to whopping N20bn of public funds) were allegedly handed over to federal lawmakers to approve a clause smuggled into the list of amendments proposed by a “confab” (hurriedly set up by Obasanjo), removing the cap on the two-term limit enshrined by the 1999 constitution. Despite the outrage expressed across the land, Obasanjo had soldiered on through his battalion of political foot soldiers. But on the day the contentious bill was to be decided, the lawmakers voted their conscience and stood firm on the side of Nigerians against Obasanjo’s imperial life presidency ambition.
Is it not therefore ironic that a man unwilling to vacate Aso Rock at 70 (in 2007) is now moralizing against anyone above age 70 aspiring for the same office today? It’s always been known that Obasanjo suffers deep insecurities manifesting in his “Mr. Too Know” antics. But never did anyone imagine that the chicken farmer would carry his accustomed charlatanism as far as arrogating medical expertise to himself as to now also be certifying who is fit or not for the rigor of office through nothing but the estimation of the eyes based on “my own personal experience”.
Obasanjo’s waste versus Buhari’s prudence
While it can be said that prevailing anaemic circumstances of the world economy in 2015 were not quite favorable to the Buhari administration upon takeoff, we make bold to say that, contrary to doomsday scenario painted by Obasanjo, President Muhammadu Buhari has been more prudent in the management of the little the country has earned. How ironic that Buhari that inherited a wrecked economy in 2015 from PDP under the influence of Obasanjo is now being blamed for the hardship suffered by Nigerians, hardship that truly resulted from systemic damage inflicted by PDP’s 16 years of sustained squandermania. Discerning Nigerians surely know better. They can see and feel the relief brought about by Buhari’s rail revolution, massive investment in infrastructure like the second Niger Bridge and numerous roads built or reconstructed across the country. However, despite that oil price averaged $100 per barrel for most of the Obasanjo years and two subsequent PDP administrations, Nigeria has very little or nothing to show for it, other than tales of bare-faced looting and waste for 16 years.
Under Obasanjo’s watch, a senate panel found that national assets — indeed our common patrimony built from independence in 1960 — worth $100bn were auctioned to cronies and fronts at a ridiculous $1.3bn through a dubious privatization programme. This constituted the root of the massive joblessness in the country.
Also, House of Reps committee found that Obasanjo wasted $16bn on the so-called power projects. Rather than electricity, Nigerians experienced worst darkness. According to his deputy then and incidentally the present PDP’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, “In some cases, some contractors were paid 100 percent of the contract sum’’ …without performance !
So pervasive was sleaze under Obasanjo that Atiku, while testifying before another senate committee in 2007, revealed that his boss was fond of “sending handwritten notes to PTDF (Petroleum Trust Development Fund) to release money to buy vehicles for his girlfriends”.
In one last act of moral, political and financial atrocity in 2007, Obasanjo literally commandeered captains of industry and PDP governors to Ota to raise over N7bn for the building of his personal library (memorably dubbed “Presidential Laundromat” by Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka).
For a man who enrolled in PDP in 1998 with only N20,000 reportedly in his bank account after a stint in prison, Obasanjo left power in 2007 stupendously wealthy with vast farm estates in many states and private university.
False claim of mentorship
Typically, megalomaniac Obasanjo lied that the leading presidential candidates who had visited him addressed him as “mentor” and that, according to him, their respective quest for the No 1 job in the land was to continue where he stopped his “good work”. We presume that included Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It is another shameless lie by a meddlesome interloper in an orgy of self-adulation.
To start with, many will easily recall that the same Obasanjo had issued a statement shortly after the APC candidate paid him a courtesy call months back categorically stating that the visit was “non-political” in response to “misconception in a section of the media”. So, how come this contradiction now? In any case, keen watchers of political events will attest that Tinubu’s accustomed progressive leaning is antithetical to Obasanjo’s imperial messianism. It is an ideological contestation dating back to 1999.
All through Obasanjo’s eight-year imperial presidency, Tinubu’s fidelity to progressive ideology led him to challenge Obasanjo’s excesses through the instrumentality of the courts and constitutionalism. Indeed, through constant diligent litigations, Lagos under Tinubu was able to win over 13 landmark cases against the federal government at the Supreme Court that not only enriched constitutionalism but also extended the frontiers of federalism in Nigeria.
Tinubu’s opposition also manifested in his refusal to be deceived by Obasanjo’s antics in 2003 in the latter’s desperation to capture the South-west and end his personal shame as a President without political home-base. It is on record that Tinubu emerged the only Yoruba governor who survived Obasanjo’s onslaught against the entire South West. Ever so treacherous, Obasanjo betrayed the other five AD governors by rigging them out of office, with Tinubu becoming “the last man standing”.
His petty hatred for Asiwaju and lack of vision led him into scuttling the first-of-its-kind Independent Power Project (IPP) initiated by Lagos State in 1999. It also explained Obasanjo’s illegal withholding of councils fund belonging to Lagos for over two years following the creation of 37 additional council areas. Even after the Supreme Court ruling directed the release, Obasanjo continued his unconstitutional perfidy of withholding the state’s local government revenue, to punish Lagos. The funds were not released until President Umar Yar’Adua assumed power in 2007.
Indeed, the redrawing of Nigeria’s electioneering calendar is a testament of Obasanjo’s rigging inclination. Today, off-season governorship contests are organised by INEC in states like Edo, Osun, Ekiti, and Kogi due to the theft of popular mandate under Obasanjo’s watch, having declared the 2007 polls a “do or die” for his party. In Edo, Osun and Ekiti in particular, it is a well-known fact that Tinubu spear-headed the struggle to retrieve the stolen mandates through the court. So, how could Obasanjo therefore list Tinubu among his “mentees” who wish to continue where he “stopped”?
He mischievously twisted Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan’ statement before the APC presidential primaries out of context in a futile bid to de-market the APC candidate. The very poor understanding of that phrase by a supposed Yoruba (?) man will only fuel doubts already expressed in some informed quarters about Obasanjo’s roots. Tinubu made his statement within the context of the internal dynamics of APC , and the fact that he later emerged as candidate by an overwhelming majority shows that his claims are infallible. Nobody worked as hard as Tinubu to win the support of delegates during the primaries and today he is second to none in aggressively seeking the support of voters across the country to achieve success in next month’s elections. Ironically, the only concrete reason Obasanjo offers for supporting Peter Obi is that it is “the turn” of the South-East! What a contradiction!!
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Capacity to identify and nurture leaders
It is laughable that Obasanjo has the temerity to deem himself qualified to lecture Nigerians on who to elect as a leader. Throughout his political trajectory in public life, he has unfailingly demonstrated gross incompetence in this regard. In 1979, his military regime was designed to produce the weakest leadership in a political terrain that had such proven leadership talents as Adamu Ciroma, Aminu Kano, Maitama Sule, Waziri Ibrahim, Nnamdi Azikwe or Obafemi Awolowo among others. In 2007, after his two-term tenure and the failure of his third term agenda, he influenced the emergence of two PDP successors who failed partly because of weak institutional foundation he had laid and partly because of their own limitations. Obasanjo in a fit of mindless hypocrisy claims that strength and vitality are requirements for the presidency but was the same man who knew of the late good man Umaru Yar a dua’s terminal condition and still used the coercive agencies of state to impose him on Nigeria ! The late president Yar adua himself publicly acknowledged that the 2007 election under Obasanjo was extremely flawed . This is in sharp contrast to Lagos State where the Tinubu administration designed a 25-year development Masterplan for the state and inspired a succession of competent leaders who not only sustained but also improved on the legacies of Tinubu’s administration, making Lagos the fastest growing in Nigeria and the 5th largest economy in Africa today.
In endorsing Obi, Obasanjo resorted to verbose and nebulous generalities without telling Nigerians in concrete terms what were his preferred candidate’s track record of performance as governor in Anambra state.
The shame of Anambra
Perhaps the most laughable of the megalomaniac stunts by Obasanjo was naming Peter Obi among his “mentees”. Older Nigerians and just anyone old enough to comprehend series of abominable occurrences on the political landscape around 2003 must have reacted to such claim with derisive laughter and guffaw. It is perhaps a reflection of Obasanjo’s penchant to prey on the poor memory of the average Nigerian that he now seeks to dress Obi, his one-time victim, as a “mentee”. Given the well-known facts of history, many are left wondering if it was not the same Obi that Obasanjo’s thuggish enforcer, Chris Uba, robbed of Anambra governorship in 2003. It took the refusal of Dr. Chris Ngige to surrender Anambra’s treasury to Obasanjo’s surrogates (Chris Uba and co) for Nigerians to know that the polls were rigged in favour of PDP in Anambra at the expense of APGA’s Peter Obi. While the dirty fight lasted between the electoral robbers in Anambra, the police were implicated in a botched attempt to kidnap the then sitting Anambra governor and force him to resign from office. When that failed, hapless people of Anambra woke up one morning soon afterward to witness a reign of terror unleashed on Awka, the state capital, with Government House and other government structures either razed or vandalized by armed thugs. Fingers were pointed at Chris Uba, the self-styled “godfather of all godfathers”. While the show of shame lasted, it came to light that the Uba was working for Obasanjo. When asked to clarify his relationship with Chris Ubah during a Presidential Chat transmitted live by NTA soon afterwards, Obasanjo shamelessly downplayed the infamy by describing him as an “enthusiastic party (PDP) supporter” in Anambra!
With this brazen attempt at revisionism by this political megalomaniac, discerning Nigerians are unlikely to miss the audacity of willful mendacity. This speaks to Obasanjo’s incorrigible penchant to always twist facts, manufacture lies to launder his dirty undergarment and project himself as Nigeria’s only messiah since independence.
But informed Nigerian voters surely can see through Obasanjo’s chicanery. That is why they will not heed his self-serving call. Rather, come February 25, they will go out in large numbers and vote Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the only one among the present parade of candidates with the requisite capacity, competence and character to leap Nigeria from a country of potentials to one of greatness.
Obasanjo’s selfish plot to impose a puppet and regain his lost maniacal grip on power shall fail , again…just as his perfidious and pernicious third term agenda !
- Alake , former commissioner for Information and Strategy Lagos State, is the Adviser Media, Communications and Public Affairs of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Lest Nigerian Youths Be Deceived By Obasanjo’s Sanctimony And Revisionism
2027 Elections: How Betara is Redefining Political Solidarity in Borno and Beyond
By Abubakar M Kareto
The political landscape leading toward the upcoming general elections is already shifting rapidly, and few figures are commanding as much strategic attention as Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu. By committing over one billion naira in campaign financial backing to candidates across Borno State, including fifty million naira for each House of Representatives hopeful and twenty million naira for every State House of Assembly contender, Betara is executing a masterclass in political mobilization. He is rewriting the manual on political solidarity, proving that sustainable regional influence requires heavy investment in grassroots loyalty, peer empowerment, and absolute structural alignment.
What makes this calculated financial deployment a true benchmark in modern political strategy is its strict focus on structural integrity. In a competitive political environment where candidates frequently struggle with the immense logistical hurdles of subnational mobilization, providing direct resource backing creates an unbreakable chain of command and camaraderie. From the federal legislative hopefuls down to the local assembly candidates, the entire political machinery operates with a unified momentum that effectively eliminates internal friction.
This synchronized framework serves to neutralize potential opposition inroads before they can properly materialize across the state. By insulating vulnerable aspirants from early financial exhaustion, the leadership model projects an image of an unstoppable and cohesive party front. This level of preparation ensures that every tier of the electoral contest is vigorously defended, maximizing the collective strength of the ruling party in the region.
Beyond the immediate electoral math, this strategy cements Betara’s status as a central pillar of regional stability. True political leadership at this elevated level demands a delicate synthesis of financial capacity and relational intelligence. By safeguarding his political caucus and ensuring that allies across all tiers are adequately equipped for the contest, he fortifies his own legislative legacy while shaping the broader political architecture of the north.
The massive financial injection into the campaign ecosystem also serves as a powerful demonstration of the value of political philanthropy when executed with precision. Instead of sporadic assistance, this systematic empowerment model builds permanent bridges of trust among political actors. It demonstrates that political longevity is deeply tied to lifting others along the path to power, creating a reciprocal culture of loyalty that transcends a single election cycle.
As the political horizon draws closer, the Betara playbook stands out as a defining example of how strategic generosity and foresight can permanently alter the dynamics of power. Critics may debate the mechanics of campaign finance, but the practical reality on the ground remains entirely focused on results. Unity and resource security are proving to be the ultimate currency in modern regional politics.
Ultimately, Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu has once again proven his legendary commitment to the development and political stability of Borno State. His actions remind observers that effective leadership requires both visionary thinking and tangible backing. The coming months will reveal the full extent of this political masterclass as campaigns gather full momentum across every ward and constituency.
Abubakar M. Kareto is a Public Affairs Analyst and Communications Strategist focusing on governance, policies, economy, and institutional reforms across Nigeria and Africa. He can be reached on X @amkareto and via email at amkareto@gmail.com.
2027 Elections: How Betara is Redefining Political Solidarity in Borno and Beyond
News
2027 Elections: Immigration Service, DSS Move to Block Foreign Interference, Irregular Migration
2027 Elections: Immigration Service, DSS Move to Block Foreign Interference, Irregular Migration
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have vowed to strengthen border security and tighten migration controls to prevent foreigners and irregular migrants from interfering in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The two security agencies said they would intensify intelligence sharing, joint surveillance and coordinated security operations to prevent foreign elements from exploiting the country’s borders to infiltrate Nigeria and undermine the electoral process.
The commitment was made on Friday at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja during the formal flag-off of the 2027 General Elections Sensitisation Programme.
The event was attended by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap; Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and representatives of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche.
Speaking at the event, Nandap, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residency, Franca Usiwoma Nwanneka, charged immigration personnel to remain vigilant and ensure effective coordination of their operations before, during and after the elections.
She described the 2027 general elections as a critical period requiring collective vigilance and the commitment of all institutions responsible for protecting the country’s security and democratic processes.
According to her, the Immigration Service occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s security architecture because of its responsibility for border security and migration management.
She warned that irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other transnational criminal activities could pose significant threats to national security if not adequately addressed.
“Today’s workshop is particularly significant as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. Beyond the responsibility of conducting credible elections, there is the equally important task of providing a peaceful and secure environment in which the democratic processes can thrive.
“Achieving this requires collective vigilance, effective coordination and the commitment of all institutions entrusted with safeguarding our nation,” she said.
Nandap stressed that no single security agency could independently address the complex security challenges confronting the country, noting that effective intelligence sharing and sustained inter-agency collaboration were essential to preventing security breaches.
She also cautioned immigration officers against taking sides with political parties or individuals participating in the elections, insisting that personnel must maintain strict political neutrality and professionalism.
“Our officers must demonstrate the highest standards of political neutrality, discipline and respect for the rule of law. Under no circumstance should our personnel use official resources to promote partisan interests. Our loyalty must remain firmly in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
The Comptroller-General further directed zonal coordinators, controllers and heads of formations to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and operational deployment while ensuring close coordination with other security agencies.
She also called for proactive participation in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing that collaboration must produce measurable results.
“Our participation in ICCES must be proactive, purposeful and result-oriented,” she added.
In his remarks, the DSS Director-General, Ajayi, represented by the Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Intelligence, Patrick Ikenweiwe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Immigration Service to safeguard Nigeria’s borders throughout the electoral period.
He said the security of the country’s borders and the integrity of its migration control system would be critical to protecting the 2027 electoral process against external threats.
According to him, electoral activities could attract individuals seeking to exploit weaknesses in border controls for the movement of mercenaries, political operatives and other persons intent on undermining democratic processes.
Ajayi described the Immigration Service as the first line of national defence against irregular migration and other cross-border security threats, noting that its effectiveness would be crucial to maintaining a peaceful electoral environment.
“The Department of State Services remains committed to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service through timely intelligence sharing, joint threat assessments and coordinated operations, particularly along our land borders and at entry points.
“No single agency can secure the electoral space alone. Our strength lies in absolute synergy,” he said.
The DSS chief also emphasised the importance of effective supervision, accountability and measurable performance in achieving institutional security objectives.
He urged supervisors to lead by example and ensure that personnel remained professional, accountable and politically neutral throughout the electoral cycle.
The renewed security commitment comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, with security agencies expected to play critical roles in protecting the electoral environment, preventing cross-border threats and ensuring that eligible Nigerians can exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
2027 Elections: Immigration Service, DSS Move to Block Foreign Interference, Irregular Migration
2027: Biu Elders Rally Behind Engr. Mustapha Gubio in Powerful Solidarity Visit
By: Dr. James Bwala
Leadership is not measured only by political titles, campaign promises, or public appearances. True leadership is revealed by a person’s character, memories, values, and commitment to the welfare of the people. In Borno State, where citizens have endured insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, and social uncertainty, the need for a leader who understands the value of peace and humility has never been greater. Engr. Mustapha Gubio, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, has demonstrated qualities that make him a credible choice for the people of Borno: faith, gratitude, respect for communities, and a clear commitment to peaceful living.
During a solidarity visit by Biu elders forum residents in Maiduguri, Engr. Gubio recalled the warmth and importance of Biu he holds in his personal history. He explained that, during his postgraduate studies in Yola, Biu served as a stopover point where he regularly paused to offer prayers. This recollection was not merely a casual reference to the past. It revealed the depth of his connection with the people and land of Biu, as well as his belief that prayer, perseverance, and divine guidance have played significant roles in his life and the connection he had with Biu and its people.
Engr. Gubio’s experience is particularly meaningful because it reflects the journey of a man who has not forgotten the places and values that shaped him. Many public figures become distant from ordinary people after attaining positions of influence. They may forget the communities where they found encouragement, comfort, or inspiration. Engr. Gubio, however, has continued to remember Biu as a place of spiritual refuge. His words showed that he does not regard Biu merely as a political constituency but as a community connected to his personal story and aspirations.
The importance of this memory should not be underestimated. A leader who appreciates the role of prayer and gratitude is more likely to understand that public office is a trust rather than a personal possession. Engr. Gubio stated that the positions he and his deputy have attained are by Allah’s will. This expression of humility is significant in a political environment where some individuals treat power as a reward for personal ambition or entitlement. By acknowledging divine will, he recognizes that leadership comes with responsibility, accountability, and an obligation to serve the people.
Such humility is essential for effective governance. A leader who understands that authority is temporary is more likely to listen to citizens, respect institutions, and make decisions in the public interest. Engr. Gubio’s view suggests that he sees political office not as an opportunity for self-enrichment or personal dominance but as a platform to serve Borno State. This perspective should appeal to citizens who desire a government that is accessible, responsible, and guided by moral principles.
Peace remains one of the most urgent needs of Borno State. For more than a decade, insecurity has affected communities across the state. Families have been separated, businesses disrupted, schools damaged, and countless citizens forced to live with fear and uncertainty. Although significant efforts have been made to restore stability, the consequences of insecurity remain visible in many communities. The people of Borno therefore need leaders who place peace at the center of governance.
Engr. Gubio has consistently presented peace and prayer as central elements of his life and public outlook. His personal connection with Biu, where he stopped to pray during his postgraduate days, reinforces this identity. More importantly, he has promised that, if elected, he and his deputy will work to ensure that every citizen of Borno is given the right to peaceful living. This is a powerful commitment because peace is not a privilege reserved for certain communities or groups. It is a fundamental right that must be protected for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion, location, or political affiliation.
The promise of peaceful living must be translated into practical governance. It should involve strengthening security institutions, supporting community-based conflict resolution, protecting farmers and traders, rebuilding schools and health facilities, and creating opportunities for young people. It should also include dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and communities affected by conflict. Engr. Gubio’s emphasis on peace provides a strong foundation for such an inclusive approach.
Biu Local Government Area has a special role in the political, cultural, and economic life of Borno State. Its elders have consistently contributed to the stability and development of the state. Their solidarity visit to Engr. Gubio was therefore more than a formal political engagement. It was an expression of respect, goodwill, and confidence. The visit also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between political leaders and traditional or community authorities.
The presence of Biu elders at the Government House offered an opportunity for dialogue and mutual understanding. Engr. Gubio’s response showed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the emotional importance of Biu in his life. He thanked the elders and expressed hope that a larger occasion would provide an opportunity for greater exchange, discussion, and pleasantries. This response reflects a leader who values relationships and understands that governance cannot be built through speeches alone. It requires continuous engagement with the people.
A successful governor must be willing to listen. Communities possess knowledge about their own challenges, and elders often have a deep understanding of local history, social relations, and traditional methods of resolving disputes. By welcoming the Biu elders and expressing his desire for further engagement, Engr. Gubio demonstrated an appreciation for this important source of wisdom. His approach suggests that his administration would be open to consultation rather than relying solely on decisions made behind closed doors.
The bond between Engr. Gubio and Biu is also a reminder that political leadership should rise above narrow interests. Borno State is home to diverse communities with different traditions, histories, and needs. A governor must be able to unite these communities and promote a sense of common purpose. Engr. Gubio’s message that every Borno citizen deserves peaceful living reflects an inclusive vision. It shows that he does not intend to govern for one area, one group, or one political faction.
In a democratic society, citizens should evaluate candidates based on their character, competence, vision, and capacity to unite the people. Engr. Gubio’s professional background as an engineer provides him with a practical and analytical orientation. Engineering requires planning, precision, problem-solving, and the ability to manage complex projects. These qualities are relevant to the governance of a state that requires infrastructure development, economic revitalization, improved public services, and institutional reform.
However, technical competence alone is not sufficient for political leadership. A leader must also possess empathy, integrity, and a genuine connection with the people. Engr. Gubio’s recollection of Biu and his acknowledgment of prayer reveal a personal dimension that complements his professional experience. His story presents him as someone who has faced challenges, pursued education, remained connected to his faith, and continued to appreciate the communities that influenced his journey.
His statement that prayers offered in Biu have received answers is also a message of hope. Borno citizens have experienced difficult times, and many people continue to carry the burden of loss and uncertainty. Hope is therefore essential. It encourages communities to believe that recovery is possible and that the future can be better than the past. A leader who inspires hope without ignoring reality can help citizens rebuild their confidence and participate actively in the development of the state.
Nevertheless, hope must be joined with action. The people of Borno will expect any incoming administration to address unemployment, poverty, education, healthcare, agricultural development, infrastructure, and security. Engr. Gubio’s promise of peaceful living should therefore be accompanied by concrete programs and measurable policies. Peace is strengthened when young people have access to employment, when children can attend school safely, when displaced families can return home with dignity, and when citizens can conduct their businesses without fear.
The support of Biu elders is significant because traditional and community leaders often influence public opinion and social cohesion. Their solidarity can help promote peaceful political participation and encourage citizens to engage in elections responsibly. At the same time, their support should be understood as a call for accountability. A candidate who receives the trust of the people must remain answerable to them after the election. Solidarity should lead to a partnership in which leaders and citizens work together for the common good.
Engr. Gubio’s interaction with the Biu elders has created an opportunity to strengthen this partnership. His gratitude and willingness to maintain contact can serve as the foundation for a broader consultation process. Such engagement should continue throughout the campaign and, if elected, throughout his tenure. Communities should not be remembered only during elections. They must be included in policy discussions, development planning, and the evaluation of government performance.
Ultimately, the choice before the people of Borno is a choice about the kind of leadership they want. Do they want leadership defined by division, arrogance, and empty promises, or do they want leadership rooted in humility, peace, consultation, and service? Engr. Mustapha Gubio has presented himself as a candidate who understands the responsibilities of office and recognizes that authority comes by Allah’s will. His connection with Biu, his respect for the elders, and his commitment to peaceful living provide reasons for citizens to consider supporting his candidacy.
- James Bwala, PhD, writes from Maiduguri.
2027: Biu Elders Rally Behind Engr. Mustapha Gubio in Powerful Solidarity Visit
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