Kaduna Central: Between Lawal Adamu Usman And Others -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

The 2023 elections is few months away. In Kaduna central, the political battle line has been drawn. The gladiators or candidates particular in people democratic people (PDP),who want to fly the party ticket will increase in numbers. So far, the candidates to watch or who indicated interest to contest the senatorial seat are: Lawal Adamu Usman popularly called “MR LA” and Alhaji Usman Ibrahim (Sardaunan badarawa). While Lawal Adamu Usman contested the seat but rigged out in 2019 general election, Sardauna Badarawa is a new comer and APC died hard supporter until he recently decamped to PDP. This is to tell you,in term of political structure, Lawal Adamu has firmly established his political base across the seven local governments of Kaduna central. When he contested the 2019 election, Lawal Adamu Usman’s campaign bus toured the nook and corners of Kaduna central. He knows the problems of all the local governments visited and established his presence in their minds.

His popularity soars even after he lost the 2019 election. Why? Lawal Adamu has never run away from the party’s activities and have been reaching to the people in need of his assistance. No wonder, in 2020 when the country was hit by covid-19 pandemic, food stuff worth 30 millions were shared to downtrodden across Kaduna central to cushion the effect of worsening hardship. Besides, when Kaduna state government hiked the tuition fees, Lawal Adamu intervened by awarding scholarship to hundred of students. The gesture has endeared him to the heart of Students’ parents. These parents,who were not ready for the government bitter pills, could not hide their appreciation. They showered encomiums on Mr LA magnimity. That is why, among the contenders,no one can match this philanthropist postures. In a recent survey conducted by independent group tagged “Kaduna central 2023 hopes” Lawal Adamu was polled 85% leaving a stagering 15% to Sardaunan badarawa and others.

The results of the opinion poll which put him at front burner ahead of others did not come to many of us as surprise. The candidates which the group use against Mr LA to draw their result are weak and not popular or unknown to many electorates in Kaduna central. They lack political support and many party’s loyalists see them as liabilities or “mole” trying to scuttle the victory of the party.

One of the candidate erected billboards across the state commending the administration of Elrufai policies. So, many PDP supporters are not comfortable with him and will not throw their support to him. It is also reported,he is not competent enough to fly the party’s tickets. In an urban constituency like Kaduna central where experience people live, he fall bellow standard. Lawal Adamu Usman is an educated, suave, urbaned and polished politician with decades of experience. He holds Bsc in public administration, master degree in international relations and diplomacy from ABU, Zaria.

There is no gainsaying the facts, in Kaduna central, no candidate is imbued with leadership qualities like Lawal Adamu Usman. He is being loved by all and sundry in the society– the rich and the poor—who see him as an embodiment of political changes. The 2023 elections will be keenly contested between lawal Adamu Usman and others.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State 08169056963.