Reflections of a returning governor

He served only one term and was kicked out of the corridors of power, and later got lucky enough to be smuggled out by a cabal after waiting a good eight years. When he was announced as their party’s standard-bearer, he doubted himself, woke up in the middle of the night and sat on a sofa, talking to himself. Let us pierce his mind and bring out what he is saying to the world’s ears.

What’s the reason you brought me back? When I served my first term as governor, these people banded together against my re-election and kicked me out and since I left I have distanced myself from anything to do with the state. I abandoned the business of the party, I didn’t honor the wedding invitations, I didn’t pay respects or send messages of goodwill during the celebrations, I refused to offer condolences, I refused to donate to public and private projects. I created social and physical distancing by moving to Abuja and abandoning all my people in Bakesu State. Why would these people nominate me? Do they really have good intentions?

But they say I’m the luckiest politician this country has ever produced. I was born in Alfawa state, I attended primary school in Babaldu state, secondary school in Dadin Kowa state. When my father was posted to Bakeso State, we lived comfortably at the level where I claimed to be indigenous, I rose through the ranks in the civil service, we ventured into politics and miraculously became governor of the state. But what did I do when I had the chance?

According to what is said on social media, I have not made any physical projects that I can now show to convince people to elect me. But when I was wrapping up my first term, I accumulated a lot of money which I intended to use and execute the projects in my second term, but unfortunately they voted me out. I have left billions of naira in the state treasury and I suspect it is the money this governor has used to bring about all this development that people are applauding him for in the state. Why don’t I say that I was the one who collected his money and claimed part of the credit?

My social media keeps posting people hating my return, reminding people of the vetting exercises we did when we were in power. I also saw a post that said that in the cemetery there is a sector of pensioners who died of starvation during our checks. But we did it in good faith and who will die before the appointed time? I think this may be a matter of faith!

But wait, how many people did I fight with when I was in power that I’m still at loggerheads with? Traditional title holders have accused me of disrespecting them and denying them the resources they deserve. Now, this evil ruler has fueled our estranged relationship with them because he has built them beautiful palaces and amassed resources they never asked for. But why would a lawyer of my caliber, who knows full well that these people have no constitutional role, deviate from due process?

My relationship with priests of both faiths was – and still is – non-kurdial. I thought their duty was only to preach for people to be righteous and serve God so they can go to heaven. But when I was in power, they asked to see me during every religious holiday, they sent requests or proposals for donations or sponsorship of every religious activity. During the fasting periods, Sallah, Christmas and Maulud, they requested thousands of cloths, thousands of rams and cows and trailers of foodstuffs to be distributed to orphans. Every time I refused their request, they quoted a verse from the Koran or the Bible and accused me of not helping the religion. But I fast every Monday and Thursday and yet that doesn’t get me to heaven?

Now, the poor say I have no plan to show, traditional institutions raise questions of disrespect, and clergymen challenge my contempt for their institution. Despite all this, I want to return to this place.

What should I do?

Sulaiman Maijama’a,

Damaturu, Yobe State

[email protected]