Lokoja Local Government Chairmanship; That Ward B May Not Goof… Yet Again

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By Yabagi Mohammed.
Ward “B” in Lokoja Local Government Area comprises Karaworo, Cantonment, Unguwan Masara, Shaba-yagi, parts of Rimi and parts of Kpatan-koto and it is one of the most of astute political Wards in the Local Council as well as being home to some of the best political brains in the area. The Ward is however struggling with itself in terms of efforts to fulfill its political potentialities and see requisite development in terms of physical and human growth. Several analysts would tell you that the ward is the enemy of itself, an argument that has been there since time immemorial. In fact, there are people who believe that it is the issue of I too know that is bedeviling the district.
One of such political analysts, in an exclusive chat with yours sincerely, deprecatingly mentioned that; how can a ward without an identifiable leader grow in development? Ward B is a place where everybody seems to know; you know they all went to school and can speak big grammar; that is their problem. All of their political actors, since before now, always believe that if they cannot have it, nobody should. In fact, most of them backstab each other during campaigns and political aspirations, only to end up playing second fiddles to others who understand that politics is about give and take.
There is no doubt that the biggest strength of the ward is its greatest albatross. There is an ongoing debate as to whether there is any other area that has more educationally advantaged individuals than the ward in view of the number of intellectuals that it boasts of in all fields of human endeavours. That argument was however defeated by Comrade Usman Halidu, who asks who has taken accurate census in that regard. As an academic himself from Ward C, he says: Such arguments have come up in various forums, in fact, when we were much younger, such arguments existed. What you cannot take away from the ward (ward B) is the fact that they have some of the most intelligent people of Lokoja origin. They are also very good in terms of religion.
Another political analyst, Samuel Joshua said the problem with the current political forecasters is that they lack deep understanding of the real issue. To him, Political calculations, to the young emerging political figures is based on what they see and hear people say. They dont know what historically constitutes politics and how people decide who to support during electioneering processes. It is all about who can ensure that the needs of people are met. Some of them (emerging political figures) consider their political actors and their demands on the basis of emotional appeal. They support politicians that are of the same religion and ethnicity as themselves. That is a myopic way of looking at politics.
Reacting to the issue, one of the political figures in Ward B, Rajab Yabagi, bemoaned the pattern of politicking among the current generation of youths in the district, saying they are without bearing. He said their agitation is based on selfish interests and greed. If it continues like this among the youths, ward B would not achieve its aim because most of those who are making waves politically in the public sphere are politicians who lack the patience of the party men.
When it was put to him to differentiate between what he meant by party men and politicians he says; party men are patient and have the love of the political party they support at heart. The stick to their parties and help sell the ideological beliefs and party manifesto to their supporters. They are totally loyal and do not care about current glory or benefits that they would enjoy. But politicians believe in now. They are always after what they would benefit from the government in power, not minding how the government emerged or who worked for its emergence. They can decamp and re-decamp at any point in time. They don’t have base as such.
While also echoing the fear already expressed by others, the All Progressives Congress staunch supporter revealed how himself and few others in their camp had made case for the ward to produce the next Lokoja Local Government helmsman. He said there is lack of sincerity of purpose among the current class of persons claiming to be backing the Ward B ticket, and expressed fears that the deception may rub the ward of the chairmanship proper even though the current administrator of the Local Government Area is from the ward.
That propelled the question put to Mallam Aminu Isa, a lecturer at the Federal University Lokoja, who has made notable contributions when it comes to discussions on the issue and Lokoja Local Government politics in general. He took his response from the sociological perspectives, saying that where a collection of persons of different thoughts are found, there is no denying the differing in opinions and needs and how to achieve such needs. To him, what is happening in Ward B may not be different from what is political obtainable in other districts of the LGA.
He says; There is no doubt that where there is a conglomerate of people from different backgrounds and understanding, there must exist the quest to get what and by who. It is natural for ways of thinking not to be the same and it shows in the way they (the people) try to gain access to opportunities that abound in the society.”
On his part, Lawal Abdulkadir is of the opinion that the people of Ward B, especially their political elites are the problems of the area. He went further down memory-lane to the period that the current opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway and how, on several occasions, political actors trade-off the wards aspiration for their own personal gains. He cited the example of 2011 when it was clear that if the ward stuck together, they could clinch the Lokoja I State Assembly ticket, but ended up betraying each other for peanuts.
To him, As far as I am concerned, the people of the ward need to herald a paradigm shift where they would do away with the kind of politics that was in vogue for the collective interest of the people. Do not think that the fact that they have the administrative position would make it easy; it will not. I think the little the administrator, Alhaji Lawal Shiru, is doing is something, but it does not mean the end of it and that he would get the ticket and win the elections easily. If he succeeds within his party, he should also know that there are other very sellable candidates warming up for election into that office from the newly reinvigorated PDP.
Even as he had said, the issue of so many aspirants also eyeing the same position was the focus of Hon Gimba Hussein. He disabused the minds of those who think securing the APC party ticket by Hon Shiru was a done deal when he stated that If a free and fair primaries are held, I am afraid that other contenders exist that can snatch it from the administrator. Look around town and even outside wards to understand the continuous rise in profile of some aspirants like Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani; dont forget also that people like Hon Abubakar Katamba, Hon Dr Bawa Dangana, Hon Danasabe Muhammed and the rest are giving him a hot chase.
When asked, Hon Danbawa Sarki was quick to dismiss the fear expressed, saying the administrator has done enough to deserve the peoples support. He said the administrator has touched the lives of people in all ramifications including education, infrastructure, youth empowerment, women empowerment and others. He was therefore confident that Shiru would clinch the ticket and even win the election anytime it is held.
As the analysis were going on, the fear is if Local Government Elections are held today, would Ward “B” be lucky this time?

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