If anyone still doubt who controls the politics of Lokoja “Garin Bature”, the recent election of February 23 held in Lokoja must have completely removed that doubt.
Political watchers have come to the conclusion that Rt Hon Umar Ahmed Imam popularly called “Alfa Imam”, is the indefatigable champion of Lokoja politics, for he not only controls his poling unit and ward, but also enjoys huge respect across all the traditional Wards of Lokoja.
Using the last election as a litmus test of his popularity, Imam has succeeded in making a loud statement of results polls that clearly confirms his position as the most popular, colourful and influential politician to emerge in the seat of Lokoja in recent times.
Whether you were opportune to be at his poling unit, or saw the results sheet on the media, you would have been overwhelmed by the margin and landslide of his poling unit, ward and unprecedented crowd that received Imam while going to various wards to observe situations reports during the electioneering period.
The result from Inuwa Ndagana Polling Unit of Ward D, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam’s Polling Unit.
Presidential: APC – 421, PDP – 116
Senate: APC – 352, PDP – 161.
Reps: APC – 337, PDP – 165.
Some party enthusiasts and supporters could be heard wondering whether, the numerous votes turnout were not a combination of both the Jins and other human spirits that converged on the poling unit grounds to voted for his candidates of his party.
It is difficult not to be tempted to agree with those who think that way. The spirits and the Jins would have been too happy to be part of such a great event that voted. This must have surely sent shock waves to the opponent’s camp and a warning signal too, that the 9th of March house of assembly election will be between the pillar that is not part of the contest but stands for the APC candidate.
Imam represents the majority electorate, and they love him. It would now appear that the state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello has shot himself on the feet by seeing other appointees as a pillars that are not even on ground rather than Imam, which Imam leads,
Judging by the loud disapproval of Gov Bello by the people of Lokoja, the political future for the governor may have become very bleak.
To many, Isah Umaru now stands at risk of disappearing into political vazu vazu and could surfer political jeopardy by 9th of March, as all indicators suggest that he is anointed government candidate just like Smart Adeyemi who lost his election to Dino and will neither fetch him the house of assembly seat against the hugely popular Hon Suleiman Babadoko who is seeking re-election for second term.
As for Imam, generally regarded as the political tactician of Lokoja, no doubt holds the ace, and this could be seen from the large number of votes from his ward, poling unit and politicians who now throng his residence to pledge their support and loyalty to the master tactician.
In Lokoja politics, it is the Imam that leads while others follow. Those who choose to go their separate ways like Lokoja political office holders and appointees who lost their poling units may have embarked on a journey to political perdition.
– Abbas Yahaya writes from Kabawa, Lokoja.
