No, Governor Umaru Bago, let the people of Shiroro decide, just as they chose you.
By Abdallah el-Kurebe
I believe I am entitled to my opinion when I say, without a hint of confusion, that you, Muhammadu Umar Bago, a man I have never met face-to-face, are the best thing to happen to Niger State. My stance has not wavered, but I won’t dwell on the reasons in this piece.
Governor Bago, you caught my attention during your campaign to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Your fight to win was fierce and resilient. Without ‘presidential influence,’ you would have defeated Femi Gbajabiamila easily. Since then, you have become a focal point for me and many others in Niger State.
As you moved to Minna to contest for the governorship in 2023, I was eager to see how it would unfold. Ultimately, it worked in your favor, beginning with your victory in the party primary. You are aware of what could have happened if not for your resilience and the people’s desire for ‘self-choice.’ From that moment, the people of Niger resolved to make their own choices, rather than having leaders imposed on them who would serve their own interests.
Governor Bago, remember that you are a product of the people’s will and choice. Yes, the people of Niger State, including those in Shiroro Local Government, made a bold and historic decision to elect you against the odds and the preferences of long-standing political powerbrokers. They stood firm and cast their votes for you—not because you were the elite’s favorite, but because you resonated with their hopes and dreams.
Despite attempts to interfere, you became the people’s governor, rising on a wave of public trust, a hunger for change, and a rejection of imposed leadership. It was a democratic moment worth celebrating—a defining victory for grassroots democracy.
Governor Bago, the people chose you. They did so not because you were forced upon them, but because you embodied their aspirations for good governance, fairness, and a break from political godfatherism. That victory was not just yours; it was a win for every Nigerian who believes democracy should serve the people, not the powerful.
Today, that same spirit of people-driven leadership is being tested in Shiroro Local Government Area.
As local government elections approach, the citizens of Shiroro — like others across the state — expect their voices to be heard. They actively participated in the APC primary process, rallied behind candidates, and winners emerged. However, in an unfortunate twist, the will of the people in Shiroro is being undermined. The individual who won the APC primary, along with two credible runners-up, has all been sidelined. Instead, someone who did not even contest has been submitted for nomination. This is not only unjust; it is undemocratic.
Governor Bago, you cannot grow by taking the resources of others. Yes, it may be the party’s decision to nominate someone who did not participate in the primary, but you are the leader of the APC in Niger State.
Even more troubling, Governor Bago, is that this blatant subversion of the people’s will is happening under the political leadership of Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba in Shiroro. A man who has remained loyal, disciplined, and representative of his people is now reportedly being humiliated, reduced to a bystander in his own political territory. Insiders indicate that the situation has become intolerable.
While I don’t want to discuss the perceived strained relationship between you and the Deputy Governor, it is important to note that you chose Garba as your running mate because you knew him well; no one imposed him on you. In my assessment, you are the most ‘youthful’ governor Niger has ever had, with the potential to challenge ‘political hypocrisy,’ while Garba has earned the title of the most ‘loyally quiet’ Deputy Governor Niger has seen, following Shem Zagbayi Nuhu in the Kure administration.
Now, the people of Shiroro deserve the same respect.
What is happening in Shiroro starkly contrasts with the values that brought you to power. The forced imposition of a candidate who did not earn the people’s trust undermines the very essence of democratic governance. It tarnishes the record of a government that started with such promise. It sends a dangerous message that, even in a supposedly people-first administration, political maneuvering can still outweigh popular mandate.
If the people were right to choose you (and they were), then they are also right to select their local leaders.
We urge you, Governor Bago, to reflect on your journey—a journey made possible by ordinary citizens who defied political odds and chose leadership over imposition. Let Shiroro breathe. Let the people’s choice stand. Let the democratic process prevail.
To be a true people’s governor is to trust the people—always. Please do so.
Abdallah is a Nigerlite and a true supporter of Governor Bago. He can be reached at www.elkurebe@gmail.com or 07031140009.
