Politics which is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status is local.
In Jigawa the electorate are inclined to supporting people that are committed to leading from the grassroots, leadership that has passion for the local people’s welfare.
For Mustapha Sule Lamido he had already been groomed from the house of leadership, hence the grassroots level is a familiar terrain. He easily communicate with the masses, understands their pains, he visits them, know what their troubles are, hence for them, he is the right person to take over leadership for people oriented governance in Jigawa
Sule Lamido Jnr had been guided, groomed when it comes to leadership and has connected well to the citizenry. With or without public office experience, Mustapha has acquired the requisite knowledge, skills, and temerity to occupy the exalted office of the Governor of Jigawa State.
To really understand how and why Mustapha Sule Lamido ventured in to the murky waters of politics one has to interrogate how local issues in Jigawa paved way for his foray.
Many have forgotten because we are averse to history, that Mustapha was brought up in a royal and political family. Since his teenage years he had ascended the royal throne of his kingdom when he began to learn the basic rudiments of leadership and responsibility. Many had wondered why such a young man will be caged in royalty when his peers were busy with blue collar jobs in major cities. Why will he be confined to a locality in the outskirts of Birnin Kudu in a town called Bamaina. He kept faith with his destiny and took charge of the traditional institution of his domain. This early encounter opened his worldview to the challenges we face as a community he started applying practical solutions to better the lots of his community.
Not long after the mantle of leadership changed hands in 2015 in the State and government moved in to the hands of so-called change government, Mustapha became the focus of attention for those seeking vendetta to settle some scores best known to them. Hence the government removed him from the revered stool he occupied. Thus, stripping him of the royalty he had inherited from his ancestors.
The politicisation of his royal stool birthed the calls and cries of his people and sympathisers to toe the line of politics which he is also heir apparent. This marked the gradual shift from royalty to politics in the service of his people.
The calls and clamour continued, gathered momentum in the politics of the state and 2019 was the litmus test for his political experiment. In a bid to rescue Jigawa South West Senatorial zone from the docile and inept leadership, he contested for the senate seat of Jigawa South West. Mustapha became the political bride of 2019 as he traversed the length and breath of the zone to canvass for votes and enlighten the citizenry on the need for a purposeful representation. Shivers were sent down the spines of the government and politicians in the State because of the popular appeal and support he got from the populace. Government apparatuses were mobilised against his election which culminated in his defeat of 2019.
Since his first attempt in 2019, when he contested to be a Senator, but lost gallantly, Lamido (jnr)’s political profile has been on the upswing.
The saying that behind every disappointment is a blessing may have become his greatest advantage as his traducers thought they could stop his star from shining not knowing they were positioning him for the star to shine more brightly in politics.
Unperturbed by the loss of 2019, Mustapha continued on his political sojourn because of the underlying philosophy of service to the people. He indeed has not lost, but the people lost a rising politician who sought to change the narratives and offer selfless service. The antics of the power brokers and the government did not deter Mustapha from his love for his people and the need to salvage them from the hands of gerontocrat politicians.
The massive people-oriented appeal Mustapha received in 2019 was unparalleled in the length and breath of Nigeria. The greater part of Jigawa saw in Mustapha a new political human breed that can bring Jigawa state on the right path of people-oriented development having been forced to fail by the pseudo change mantra leaders. The greater movement to rescue the state and the clarion calls fortunately, put Mustapha on the spotlight to lead the battlefront of a new Jigawa.
Abubakar Yahaya is a Political analyst based in Jigawa
Abbakaryahaya@gmail.com
