Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi and Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s Political Steam in Niger State
From :- Yakubu Mustapha Bina Minna
The Niger State 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary is a forgotten event but had left behind unhealed wounds on few people , the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi who came second after he was touted to be the favourites of some few clique within the party and government then, has always been used by those who felt hurt as a cover to the level that Many political pundits are beginning to alleged that the Minister was also carrying the disappointment despite been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a Minister; which naturally should put him in another influential position not to nurse any bitterness.
He is expected to join hands together with other stakeholders to move Niger state forward not to be associated with glaring disdain shown by some of his supporters especially anytime it concerns critical issues in the state led Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The Minister should not tactically hold aloof. He should not make promises he hardly fulfil or act for optics but should show true empathy for things that concern the state.
A situation that he the Minister prefers spending holidays during celebrations in Kaduna rather than Minna or even his home town Malagi speaks of his political goodwill in the state.
The Minister must be seen to fulfilled promises to individuals and groups as well as make himself accessible to the people of the state instead of selective few, people are watching, calculating, observing, itemizing and counting his activities towards the future when he may wish to seek for elective position again. Certainly, “What goes around comes around”.
No doubt the Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi has tremendous political good will in the state but beyond the patronage of people within his own immediate circle, he must be seen to be accessible to the people from home, he must be in touch with his home state rather than focus on the national politics, to facilitate appointment to only the children of his allies and others, that is not enough.
The same people are now turning around to say he is holding secret meetings against his acclaimed brother Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. While it is right to aspire to any position in the land, it is expedient to state that the utterances from his circle are casting doubt on the cordial relationship with the Governor, the Minister so pronounced.
If the cordial relationship is not for the optics, the minister should join hands with his home state Governor to enhance development, if his initial desire for the state is development and for the good of the people of Niger state, this is the time to show it.
Malagi should not be seen as anti Niger state or Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. For instance in his presence the Governor goofed in his statement about closing down and demolishing the Badeggi FM Radio Minna, he did not correct the governor at the expanded APC stakeholders meeting held at the government house Minna, but allegedly went behind to issue a press statement against the governor’s stance.
Nupe men are known for brotherhood, peace, unity, love, respect for leadership and elders, good behavior and loyalty, these virtues are their pride, Minister Malagi must continue to imbibe these virtues and show love for the state.
Primary elections were basically delegates decisions can not be carried over and blamed on every electorates, to deny the state from benefiting from his good will as a Minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
Surprisingly Sa’idu Enagi alluded to secret meetings to unseat governor Bago in a write up, the Minister tried to exonerate himself by suspending the aide, many pundits are viewing his suspension as a political gimmick at the public space while doing the contrary behind closed doors.
His reaction sounded real and well articulated but in deeds the Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi has not shown enough concerns by offering useful advice to the Governor to move the state forward.
We must all put our political interests aside to build Niger state for all. For instance Late governor of Niger State, Engineer Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure was never an APC member but as a Statesman when former governor Abubakar Sani Bello had it rough with Nigeria Labour Congress who then went on strike for a whole week the first of it kind in Niger state, late Kure was the one who intervened through the then respected Niger state house of assembly and the strike was called off immediately just to ensure peace; that was an act of statesmanship, Malagi must learn from such brotherhood and statesmanship.
Though, the Minister always said he enjoys a cordial relationship with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, this should go beyond statement but through practical show of brotherhood that will enhance an actionable support for the present administration under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to achieve success in all its ramifications. It does not exclude his right to pursue his political ambitions, if only he and others willing can be bold to come out and slug it out, it should not be primarily be secret moves to unseat the governor; that will be viewed as vendetta.
On his part, governor Mohammed Umar Bago must be deliberate about consulting and respecting all stakeholders because he doesn’t have monopoly of knowledge, he should stop self styled leadership system by being humble, magnanimous and respectful. He should see his position as God’s destined not that he was better than other aspirants or more knowledgeable.
Similarly, governor Bago must stop the notion of seeing his opponents at the 2023 APC primary election in Niger state as his enemies with systemic witch hunt, denying them privileges, encourage gangsterism and unapproachable attitude, that should should end by being very friendly and maturity. Winner takes it all politics should be avoided in its entirety.
Recent clamp down on perceived opponents through litigations and detentions can only dwindle his popularity because life is nothing without peace, success is nothing without humility, and power is nothing without responsibility just as strength is nothing without self control to build trust of leadership.
It should be noted by the Governor that he cannot be every where and do everything by himself with being considerate to other people’s lives, if you must accuse people of not being trustworthy, trust and honesty must also be the foundation. In Governance comfort is not exclusively for the leader but also those under him and the governed. In doing so, it must not be for the optics or for showmanship, but with respect and dignity.
The Governor must not be quick to show his governorship power; such powers are ephemeral, people were there before and others will also come to occupy same shortly or long after you might have gone.
It is right to advice that both, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi and governor Mohammed Umar Bago must retrace their steps and resolve to work together for the growth and development of Niger state if not the grass which is the masses are the ones to suffer the consequences of their disharmony. Like the saying, “when two elephants fight the grass will suffer”.
The two political personalities should go back to the drawing board of unity, peace, forgiveness, openness and mutual respect by sharing ideas and opportunities, no one should undo the other, the past must be forgotten to forge ahead. Particularly they must not depend on hearsay and show of power but move as an indivisible entity for the benefit of the state
They must both know that their good will that made them political rallying point in 2023 is not the same thing as it is today, their weaknesses has shown more than before as it stance presently.The ballot papers and ballot boxes are waiting patiently for the electorates to decide the politicians faith.
The rhetorical question is that truthfully; how many Nigerlites have they made self reliant, millionaires, small scale business entrepreneur, sent to school and made to explore their potentials excluding civil service and political appointments for the privileged few and family members. Nigerlites are watching and it is benevolent to advise both men to watch their political steps less they go into political obscurity sooner than they could imagine. Democracy is a social contract and the influence in democracy is not force but as much as you can connect with the people.
This Commentary was written by Yakubu Mustapha Bina a Journalist and Analyst from Minna Niger state On Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi and Governor Bago’s Political Steam in Niger State Email: yamustibina@gmail.com
