Jigawa 2023: The Issues That May Decide The Race -By Umar Farouk Jahun

In the words of a British author and journalist George Orwell: “We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right. Intellectually, it is possible to carry on this process for an indefinite time: the only check on it is that sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield

Certainly, if there is any new statement in Jigawa’s political history that captures the above feelings, spreads out the basic reasons for the ceaseless call for the State’s restructuring, provides answers to why this existing system challenges some fundamental assumptions?

One possible answer to the questions is that it exposes as human beings how much simpler it is to place blames or criticize than to generate breakthrough ideas. This torrent of negative responses came even when it is obvious that we are all responsible for the decisions that our State makes, we are given a chance to participate in election, we have free speech, we have checks and balances. Yet; how much of these channels have we used in the past to make demands? Have we forgotten that no matter how beautiful a policy appears, no matter how strong an institution tends to be, we always have deconstructionists that can undermine it?

By instituting true in Jigawa democracy, we open the door not only to posperity but to greater democracy and openness throughout the State. This will help bring peace and tranquility where there is now tension and uncertainty about the pathway our State is on.

The citizens have no reason not to be steadfast, focused and diligent in the service of this dear State. Every citizen of this great State is thrown into the bliss of courage, faith, creativity, magnitude and boundless hope to contribute his or her quota for our State defence and building. We thank God, Jigawa State is a place of boundless fortunes. We are paying dearly for peace because peace is an essential ingredient to life and to development. We have been praying dearly for our unity. Let us look at ourselves with the eyes of love and the hearts of humanity.

I apprecate, salute the courage and leadership of the past the incumbent Governors, for their proactive and decisive handling of our many sectors. They truly shows exemplary leadership, courages, professionalism, genuine sacrifice and experience. Above all an extremely patient and tolerant of divergent views. It is indeed forward looking how Governor Muhammad Badaru completed the project he inherited from the immediate past administration of Sule Lamido and have also been continued and financed, to ease means of our economic development.

Nigerian’s 2023 election season will soon begun. With the main oppositions formally trying to pick their flag-bearer, we now know the race will effectively be a straight contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a major challenger People’s Democratic Party (PDP), although dozens of other candidates will be competing from different political parties.

In Nigeria, political defection is synonymous with democracy where one has the discretion to defect from one party to another party. In advanced democracies, the defectors may have very good reason to back their decision that may not be unconnected with their political principles and ideologies.

However, the Jigawa defectors seem to be selfish and couldn’t justify their actions, we are all witness in 2015. For me, It sounds myopic, deceptive and crooked for a politician that served in the cabinet of Governor Sule Lamido as Secretary to the State Government or chairman of a local Government council to say he is decamping to APC because the government he served wasn’t transparent, especially when they had joyfully exhausted their tenure in that Government. We are almost in the time or a season of that defections, as usually occurs during free-election periods. But it is treachery for some people to join your tent after you’ve won elections and malign the administration they had served.

But right now at this critical juncture, the question we should keep asking ourselves is the Jigawa State, we argued in the past 2015 and 2019 elections, currently structured and standing in an inverted pyramid shaped?

The coming 2023 election maybe dangerous gospel without the truth with finctions contructed around. In my judgment, the latest calls is in some ways similar to the 2015 and 2019 experience where many politicians in their campaign manifesto, promised to “Initiate action to reduce unemployment, poverty, strengthen health care system”.

I can said right now APC main challenges in office has been the struggling youths and human developments, including massive unemployment. Given this context, if PDP’s campaign may seriously promise to revitalise these issues, if that’s the case then this will be huge blow for the ruling party.

Believe it or not, but 2023 election is the right time to put away all the sentiment and political affiliations. Join and merge with side of those who will confront head-on all the issues bedeviling our State, just like the past and the current administrations. And, as I said the major issue bendwiling the progress of our dear state are quality healthcare, educational system, unemplyment and poverty.

Jigawa is currently one of the state with highest number of out of school children. So, when they fixes the education sector, they’re preparing the ground for the young ones to learn perfectly and realise their potential in order to help towards State and Nation building.

According to NBS, Jigawa is the third poorest state in Nigeria, forget APC or PDP, but side with those are willing to prioritise in order to touch the lives of the poor, thereby implementing welfarist policies in the States, or called the poor and indigent folks, enter into a social contract with them where the Government gives them handouts tied to training and skill acquisition for all able-bodied individuals, so that atleast they can cater for themselves.

We also need more existent health care especially in rurals areas. Some of that we have are not equipped and are understaffed. Well from the little I’ve had a chance to see, the health of the general community may actually depend more on the grassroot level healthcare workers than the top tier folks. We also know how youths unemployment was been a long problem and a matter of preference that need an utmost heed and urgent intervention. The idleness has indulged so many of our prospective youths that have vast wealth of intelligence and potentials to the society into committing various crimes.

Meanwhile some peoples are disappointted with the ruling party APC. In particular accuse the Government for doing less effort in reducing these problems. While some blame PDP for all those current woes for their wasteful 16years in power.

Whoever wins is important but it survival now and forever is our collective drive. The spectators must, therefore, conduct themselves in the best manner of civilized people. No one is superior above the other except on the grounds of sacrifices to build the state. We look forward to good Governance that aims to be transparent and strives to implement sound sustainable long term solutions to Jigawa state.

Almighty God loves Jigawa State and shall continue to keep it progressive, peaceful and united even at this moment the great clash is about to commence. God is there always for us. This State needs our love, our prayers, our good wills and individual sacrifices.

Jigawa is for all of us. May God Bless Jigawa State!

Umar writes from Jigawa, he can reach via +2347032843368, daddyjahun@gmail.com.