The desire to put the people first and not become an opposition state with to the centre may have prompted 18 political parties to form an alliance to back All Progressive Congress ( APC) candidate, Umar Bargo in the polls, writes David Kabiyesi.
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If you walk through dusty Esso road in Bida, Niger State’s second-largest city, the only discussion that filled the lips of political analysts is not about who would emerge as the state’s next governor, it is all about how well Hon. Umar Bargo can outperform the the incumbent, Governor Sani Bello. This is because many believe that his victory in Saturday’s gubernatorial election is as sure as death.
He may have been highly tipped by Governor Sani Bello to emerge as the next number one citizen of the state, but Umar Bargo seems to be the only man that can stop himself from becoming the next governor of the state.
Ordinarily, Niger State gubernatorial election is expected to be keenly contested for since the incumbent Governor, Abubakar Sanni Bello is time limited and cannot contest for another term, but alas! the state election seems to be the only one that could be decided without much ado because politicians in the state seem to be heading towards one direction; vote APC into power.
Zero tolerance for zoning
Governor Sanni Bello had kicked against zoning the number one office in the state since such moves tends to impede growth. The governor had told political chieftains in Niger north, east, and south to come together and pick a credible candidate that will continue his legacy in the state. There were agitations that the party should zone its next governor to Niger South zone B, but the idea died a premature death after the Governor prevailed over party members.
With Engineer Abubakar Garba Ibrahim Dodo coming from Niger east zone B; Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso also emerged from Niger South zone A , not forgetting Hon. Abubakar Lado Suleja from zone B while Alhaji Ndanusa hails from zone A, the feeling among the state’s bigwigs is that the party could throw itself into a big crisis that will empower the opposition if the issue of zoning is encouraged.
Avoiding political suicide
Fresh news from Minna, the state capital revealed that nearly all political parties in the state have collapsed their structures to rally behind favourite, Bargo, on the ground that the state would not want to vote as opposition in the affairs of the country after Bola Tinubu emerged as President-elect.
A political summit that was held in Minna on Thursday saw about 18 political parties alongside labour, youths, and women forming an alliance to back Bargo on Saturday. The feeling among these stakeholders is that the chance of enjoying Federal backing in completing some of its ongoing projects will be bright and blinding provided the state does not become an opposition state .
Already, projects like Minna, Suleja, Rijau – Kontagora, Baro Port, and the Bida – Lambata roads can only be completed in no time once the APC wins in the state guber election. The state politician then argued that voting an opposition into power would be tantamount to political suicide for the state.
It’s Bargo’s Election to lose
While Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Liman Kantigi, had earlier dropped the gauntlet by announcing his readiness to compete in guber election, he knows the odds are against him with 18 other political forming an alliance to back Bargo, he may just be heading to the polls to make up the numbers and avoid turning the state to one-party state.
