By Abdullahi Idris Zuru
Democratic governance is all about the right of the people to exercise their franchise in electing credible aspirants with antecedent selfless community service into elective positions.
Comrade Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu of Kebbi State, a unionist and internationally acknowledged labour leader, had a fair knowledge of the people, their needs and aspirations having leave with them all his life and conversant with the needs and aspirations before venturing in to partisan politics.
Therefore, it was not surprising to those familiar with his antecedent when he overwhelmingly won the governorship election under the All Progressive Congress (APC)in the 2023 general election.
The public expectations on Governor Nasir Idris, now being referred to as ” Home grown Governor ” are overwhelming in view of his philanthropic gestures and undisputable record of honesty, generosity and sincerity.
Determined to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people, the Governor came up with a comprehensive socio-economic development blueprint tagged “continuity and urban renewal policy.
Almost all the new landmark projects so far executed and the dilapidated infrastructures overhauled in various sectors have been widely publicised.
However, as time goes on, comrade Governor Nasir Kauran Gwandu took the people of Kebbi State unaware when he unexpectedly introduced a number of people’s lifesaving programmes that revived the socio-economic fortunes of many hitherto in a state of frustration and hopelessness.
In his benevolent characteristics nature, he requested and paid the N2.2 billion debt unpaid severance gratuity owed the local councillors of the 225 wards that served between 2007 and 2023.
Thereafter, he directed that the claim of the backlog of over N3 billion unpaid debts owes some small and medium scale contractors between 2014 and 2015 be verified immediately and payment schedules made.
While announcing his administration’s decision on the payment, Comrade Nasir Kauran Gwandu stated that “the contractors should feel free and come forward for their payments regardless of your political party affiliation because it is your legitimate right”
Before then, the governor has, within the last two years, been providing for free, fertiliser, herbicide, power tillers, solar powered irrigation pumps, and financial support for the farming communities in the state,assuring that he would sustain the gesture as long as he remain the state Governor.
Similarly, it is on record that over N6 billion was last year distributed to over 600,000 women and youths selected from across the state to establish or increase their capital in their respective businesses.
Establishment of four mega boarding secondary schools in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru for normal formal education and entrepreneurship skills acquisition in addition to the declaration of free education for the indigenes from primary to university levels.
While the contractors described his gesture as an unexpected lifesaving decision, the former councillors viewed it as ” a clear demonstration of sympathy, respect for human dignity and generosity Kauran Gwandu is known for over the years.
With the unprecedented remarkable achievements recorded so far, the coast to 2027 elections for him appears to be clear and assured, Insha Allah.
Similarly, his endorsement by the All Progressive Congress (APC) stakeholders, acknowledgement of the record of his service delivery and the overwhelming support of politicians of substance are believed to be other factors that will make the journey to 2027 seamless.
It is, therefore, only an insane person, however desperate, with the use of questionable accumulated wealth, can be a stumbling block to Comrade Governor Nasir Kauran Gwandu victory in 2027.
Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru,
Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Kebbi State Governor and public analyst writes from Birnin Kebbi.
