Return of Ex-Bauchi Governor Mohammed A. Abubakar, SAN.  Part One

By Umar Usman Duguri

Time is flying at a very fast speed as if it was yesterday Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar (Makama Babban Bauchi 1) vacated the seat of power in Bauchi State.

It is now heading to the third election period since he vacated the seat of power in 2019 as an accomplished leader, polished politician blessed with a first-class brain, perseverance, focus, fear of God and an inbuilt concern for the good of Bauchi State and Nigeria.

While out of power, he mended the hitherto artificially created soar relationship that existed between himself, his successor and all those who stood along his path to victory in 2019.

Today, he is one of the silent contributors to the developmental strides of Bauchi State even out of power.

Looking back into his legacies for the records, at the inception of his administration on May 29, 2015, it was easy to predict that the mass of the people had made a good and wise choice of a leader.

The choice was for quality leadership devoid of sentiments and cluelessness. It was a leadership full of vibrancy and determination to leave its footprints on the sands of time. It was focused, tolerant, calculative and above all, with an inbuilt fear of God anchored on good morals and parental upbringing.

It was founded on the foundation of transparency and honesty. It believed in its administrative, political and technical capacity to deliver and to serve the state with passion. It never looked the other way round. It had a compass which gave it the direction to follow to logical conclusion. It avoided unnecessary diversion to trivial issues but channeled its energy to developmental strides for the good of the state as a bond.

It kept a distance from rabble rousers, jesters and political canaries known for misleading governments to fail. It was a purposeful administration that meant well for the entire state irrespective of imaginary differences. It refused to shift post and remained focused to its blue-print and the manifesto of the party that brought it to power,, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As part of its mandate to the political space, it solidified the party on a sound foundation and nurtured it to become attractive for healthy competition by those qualified for elective offices. It provided all the required structures for the survival of the party that has today become a darling to the majority including those who fought the re-election bid of M.A Abubakar.

The administration never failed to deliver what was expected of it as mischievously trumpeted by the usual idiots and detractors. It resisted temptations and remained committed to the development of the state within available resources on robust plans.

Ex-governor Muhammed Abubakar, a senior advocate of Nigeria, started the art of governance when his contemporaries were still slumbering and searching for direction. He assembled a formidable team to journey together.

Inheriting a heavily inherited debt, and several months of unpaid salaries to civil servants and pensioners, a neglected agricultural sector, institutionalized corrupt practices from a government that was prodigal with public funds, the problems of his administration when he became a governor were further aggravated by the global economic meltdown and recession.

Not deterred by the artificially created problems, M.A. Abubakar moved to the next post to justify his mandate despite the challenges and kick-started the provision of quality roads, restoration of the faded glory of the mainstay of the majority of the people, agriculture, empowering the people, repositioning education, healthcare and security as well as improving the revenue base of the state.

He sanitized the civil service and repositioned it for optimum productivity as well secured as the backbone of any responsible administration that desired to serve with passion.

During his first tenure (2015-2019), the state was among the first-five that maintained the payment of N5.1billion as monthly salaries to state and local government staff with a breakdown of N2.6billion for state workforce and N2.5billion for local governments apart from other allowances even with the recession staring its ugly face to its 105,000 workforce.

The state was under a holistic and focused management spearheaded by M.A Abubakar to have survived the odds.

From 2015-2019, M.A Abubakar was rated across party divide as the most prized jewel in the democracy, workaholic, and focused leader full of vigor and determination to excel in leadership and service delivery that attracted him envy and hate from power mongers and jesters within his party and the opposition. He was threatened with political battles, but he resisted the threat and forged ahead with service. His detractors were swelling in numbers to engage his attention for a brawl while he ignored and busied himself attending to critical state matters of more importance.

Among the 19 Northern States, he was revered as a respected leader who could squeeze water out of stones for the thirsty weaker ones. He was respected and adorned not because of his professional calling as a legal luminary or eloquence in speech, but because he possessed the required wisdom, intellect and charisma desired of a leader anywhere.

He was creative, innovative and courageous to deliver positive results with little resources at his disposal. He was an adorned manager of human and material resources who separated party politics from governance and abhorred the practice of involving his family in arts of governance. He owned his mind, introduced, and sustained discipline in his style of governance. He loved and admired all but believed and trusted few out of experience in leadership over the years.

For the benefit of those who are oblivious of s achievements in office, I shall attempt to chronicle some of them.

1. Before he was sworn-in on May 29, 2015, Nigeria Labor Congress, Bauchi State Council was on strike. As Governor-elect, he brokered truce with the Union to call off the strike.

2. On assumption of Office, he cut down the cost of governance and revitalized and repositioned the state civil service.

3. He pruned down the number of Ministries from 28 -16 for effective management and running cost.

4. He inherited a cumulative external and domestic debts of over N100billion made up of; N48,743,196,021.79 as domestic loans; foreign loans stood at $87,572,428.69 and contractual liabilities N41,556,123,229.05 as well as gratuity arrears (State Government N7,741,016,737.19). That of local governments N6,924,783,007.92 and salary arrears (January 2015) N1,670,407,774.00, totaling N106,635,526,769.95 and $87,572,428.69.

5. An inherited backlog of four (4) months civil servants salaries that he settled immediately.

6. Inherited a State without procured 2015 fertilizers for farmers at his first planting season as a governor. He immediately procured 10,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizers and directed sales to farmers at the cheapest rate of N2,750.00 per bag of NPK brand and N3,000.00 for each bag of Urea brand which was the cheapest rate anywhere in Nigeria at that period.

7. Sponsored 15 graduates to University of Life Sciences in Czech Republic for their Masters Degree in the Faculty of Tropical Sciences for the benefit of Bauchi State.

8. Blocked wastages in government financial system.

9. Resuscitated the Bauchi Fertilizer Company to meet local and external demands.

10. Constructed Misau-Udubo-Gamawa road under economic recession.

11. Constructed all the urban roads in all the three major towns in the state during recession.

12. Under economic recession he commenced the construction of Hanafari-Jurara–G/Babani-S/Kafi–Dogon Daji road.

13. Under recession he commenced the construction of Itas-Atafawa–Magarya road.

14. His administration constructed and equipped 19 Primary Healthcare Centres with VIP toilets and staff quarters in 19 of the 20 local governments with the exception of Bauchi that enjoys the status of state capital with several health facilities.

15. He improved the funding of the health sector through innovative financing mechanism, accountability, transparency and prudent management of available resources.

16. Settled the backlog of accumulated health workers salaries and other benefits to reposition the sector for optimum service.

17. Payment of N160million counter-part commitment of the State Government to Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundations for the setting up of Emergency Centres on Polio aimed at eradicating polio in the state.

18. The administration resuscitated and improved patient feeding scheme in government hospitals that was put on hold and reintroduced steady supply of fuel to standby generators in all health facilities in the state.

19. The M.A Abubakar administration facilitated the accreditation process of the State College of Nursing and Midwifery as well as accreditation and commencement of Dental Health Services training at the State College of Health Technology, Ningi.

20. In collaboration with Al-Basar International Foundation of Saudi Arabia, the administration organized and sponsored free eye treatment to 10,000 patients identified with critical situation which remains the biggest intervention ever since the state was created in 1976 by any government

21. The administration constructed and equipped 20 maternities with befitting staff

quarters accompanied with solar-powered boreholes in strategic locations within the state to reduce infant and maternal deaths as well as water borne related diseases.

22. Two critical health facilities were renovated and repositioned at Miri (Bauchi local government) and Polchi in Dass local government areas of the state.

23. Steady yearly payment of counterpart funding for routine immunization.

24. Under the Basket Fund, M.A Abubakar administration had renovated 80 Primary Healthcare facilities through an MoU with Bill and Melinda Gate and Dangote Foundations.

25. The Healthcare Development Agency during the M.A Abubakar administration established three zonal offices in the three senatorial zones of the state, and supported the identification of Human Resource capacity for the 323 health facilities and gaps under one PHC per ward National Policy.

26. The Agency through an executive approval and support of the governor, provided support and logistics for effective surveillance leading to full control of infectious/communicable diseases, as well as chlorination of wells in Bauchi and environs for control of diarrheal diseases.

27. His administration reactivated the inherited dormant Tractor Hiring Unit of the State Ministry of Agriculture. Serviced tractors were provided to farmers at affordable hiring rates.

28. The M.A Abubakar administration partnered with the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to improve food security to 2000 of the inherited internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state through the provision of 60 metric tons of assorted improved seeds for the 2015 farming season and subsequent ones.

29. For the 2016 farming season, 20 metric tons of assorted fertilizers, equivalent to 666 trucks were distributed to farmers in 40 selected locations within the 20 local government areas of the state.

30. The administration keyed into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme and provided equity, training and extension services as required by the CBN. 8000 farmers were registered to participate fully in the programme.

Watch Out for part two

31. The administration expended N194,570,000.00 on the purchase of equipments/materials and training of extension workers for the success of the programme.

32. The administration procured agrochemicals worth N28,327,000.00 to serve as buffer stock for the control of agricultural pests and disasters to farmers.

33. The administration established China/Nigeria Junaco Technological Development Site/Research for large scale mushroom farming located in Toro local government area.

34. The administration repaired 29 hitherto unserviceable tractors through direct labor for the benefit of farmers.

35. The administration established 33 hectares of orchard and 20 hectares of woodlot plantation under the Great Green Wall programme in Katagum, Gamawa and Jama’are local government areas of the state.

36. 12,000 improved variety of date palm seedlings were freely distributed for transplanting in the Great Green Wall corridor; and accompanied with a constructed skills acquisition centre at Chinade village to train youth domiciled at the Great Green Wall corridor in palm oil extraction and packaging.

37. The administration procured and distributed 82 and 3.5 metric tons of certified and foundation seeds of maize, sorghum and rice to farmers in collaboration with West African Agricultural Productivity Programme tailored to improved agriculture and food security.

38. In collaboration with OLAM Nigeria Limited, the administration facilitated and boosted sesame production which resulted to the state being the leading producer of the commodity nationwide.

39. The administration constructed and equipped a skills acquisition centre at BSADP headquarters in Bauchi to cater for value addition technologies.

40. The administration renovated some dilapidated farm centres in addition to two out of the three zonal centres in the state.

41. The M.A Abubakar administration procured and distributed artisanal fisheries inputs (fishing nets, floats, sinkers, ropes etc) to 200 fishermen to boost fish production.

42. Following the outbreak of black quarter and heart water animal diseases in 2015 from Gadiya and Udubo of Gamawa local government area, the sum of N600,000.00 was released to contain the outbreak.

43. Avian influenza control project depopulated 39 poultry farms in Toro and Bauchi local governments between 2015 and 2017. The sum of N1,341,550.00 was released to combat the scourge. Of the 39 affected farms, 20 were compensated by the federal government on intervention of the M.A Abubakar administration.

44. In collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission, four earthen fish ponds were constructed, provided security house, stocked 20,000 variety of fishes, provided 120 bags of fish feeds, four electric generators, four tube wells were drilled to benefitting communities of Itas, Sakuwa, Katagum and Piro in Bauchi local government.

45. The administration released the sum of N6,390,000.00 for procurement of agrochemicals to combat the menace of Quelea birds in some local government areas.

46. The administration procured 50 motorcycles as revolving fund to extension workers and enumerators for effective conduct of official duties in addition to the 22 motorcycles provided by the federal government under the agricultural transformation agenda.

47. It installed an automatic weather monitoring situation at Bauchi State College of Agriculture under the Sahel Project to support sustainable development.

48. The administration through its extension arm of the State Ministry of Agriculture executed some vital projects that include; enhanced community health through the provision of boreholes for portable water, tube wells and water pumps, improved accessibility of rural communities and ease of movements of goods and services.

49. Since agricultural production and provision of water are twins, the administration drilled six solar and three wind powered boreholes in specific areas within the state and distributed 300 desks assorted text books to primary schools at support zone communities of Lame/Burra Game Reserve by the National Parks Service under the Bring Trust Fund Project.

50. The administration drilled 379 boreholes and reactivated 15 hand fitted boreholes in collaboration with African Development Bank/Community Based Agricultural Programme.

As the journey to the 2027 gubernatorial election gathers momentum, those parties in opposition to the actualization of M.A Abubakar’s reelection, should understand the fact that without his input and pragmatic leadership in piloting the affairs of the state within available resources and prudent management, APC could have been history in the state. They should put it at the back of their minds that APC accessed power in 2015 through divine intervention and the expertise of MA Abubakar who mortgaged his comfort for the herculean task of rescuing the state from imminent collapse.

MA Abubakar battled it out with the power of incumbency and got it defeated. The leadership style brought to bear by M.A Abubakar at that material time was the best for the progress of the state. He piloted an administration that was grossly misunderstood and misinterpreted by his internal and external detractors for political gain.

We should remember how he battled recession and insolvent treasury to implement APC manifesto as a governor. We should rebuild confidence in him to follow him to cruise together in the Ark of Noah in 2027 as he has mended battered relationship with his brothers and sister and with Sen. Bala Muhammed who is presently governing the state with passion to complete the gargantuan projects he started and other hitherto misinformed elites who waged a baseless opposition against MA Abubakar.

THE 2027 JOURNEY OF UNITY AND COLLECTIVE PROGRESS

A Hausa adage says: “DA MAI KAMA AKE KOTA.”

M.A Abubakar Esq found Bauchi State built with bricks but left it as a state built with marble. He was determined to change the narrative before his first tenure elapsed.

As we approach another election year, 2027, we present to you a brief blue-print of the man who is loved and admired by all across party divide.

Sequel to his emergence as the 2015 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Bauchi State, in line with the standard best democratic practice, as an agent of peace and accomplished technocrat, owing to his unprecedentedly revolutionized grassroots development using the platform and opportunities provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (amended), we are obliged to present to the Good and Reliable People of Bauchi State the 2027

Manifesto of Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar SAN dubbed: FOR A BETTER AND UNITED BAUCHI STATE modeled after the bequeathed combined services of Past Leaders and Adorned Democrats.

Expectedly, under the watch of Progressive Democrats, Party Leadership and Members of the larger community, this shall be the social contract between the M.A Abubakar Assembled Team of Patriots and the Great and Good People of Bauchi State on whose mandate we shall operate.

Significantly, this shall be the basis upon which the relevant key performance indicators of M.A Abubakar administration shall be erected and evaluated. For the purpose of clarity, FOR BETTER AND UNITED BAUCHI STATE of MA Abubakar SAN as stated above, shall be better appreciated and endorsed as illustrated thus:

Growth and Development

Aggressive Rural Transformation

Agricultural Revolution

Commerce and Industrialization

Enhance Peace and Security

Improved Healthcare

Improved Education

Compulsory Women and Youths Skills Acquisition

Robust Economic Empowerment

The synopsis of each pillar of this people-centric agenda shall inevitably be pursued as follows:

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Human capital development:

MA Abubakar shall if mandated invest in education, training, and capacity building to enhance the character, skills knowledge of the workforce. Hard work and excellence shall be rewarded accordingly without an asking through an effective monitoring system. Incorporating sports as Youth Development Initiative, while recognizing the critical role it plays in shaping the lives of young people, complementing their academic and professional growth with essential life skills by empowering individuals with relevant skills, which will contribute to their personal growth and overall economic prosperity.

Infrastructural Development:

The MA Abubakar team shall prioritize and conduct the Needs Assessment of the people, and accordingly work to strengthen transportation, energy, water, and communication systems. With a robust infrastructure to support economic growth and to facilitate efficient movement of goods, services and farm produce.

The team shall enhance the aesthetic value of the environment and develop recreational facilities, parks, gardens and community centres to foster social interaction, promote unity and physical activity as well as enhance the overall well-being of the people.

The team shall work assiduously with relevant stakeholders to replicate gorgeous estates existing in other climes as this will attract both domestic and foreign investors thereby creating job opportunities, commerce and other economic activities for the increasing population. Markets in major towns of Bauchi, Azare, Misau, Jama’are, Ningi and Dass will be tuned to function to maximum capacity backed with heavy security system.

Youth Empowerment: Within the first one year in office, the MA Abubakar new brand of administration shall launch its Youth Empowerment Scheme focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership development, financial literacy, business development plans and life skills training, and create a platform for youth engagement in community development projects to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Women Empowerment: The team shall create relevant legal and financial framework with which to administer an effective loan revolving scheme for market women and women in purdah but in business and petty traders.

The team shall implement programs to enhance women’s access to quality education, financial literacy, and leadership opportunities to support women-led cooperatives and businesses through training, membership, and access to markets and manufacturers.

Job Creation and Economic Empowerment:

The team shall facilitate small business development initiatives with relevant financial institutions such as Bank of Industry (BOI), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Microfinance programs etc, and entrepreneurship training to create job opportunities and boost local production to grow the local economy.

Environmental Sustainability: The team shall transform Bauchi State into a model of environmental sustainability through efficient waste management system and develop adaptation strategies, protecting vulnerable communities and infrastructure from climate change impacts, thus ensuring a healthy, green and prosperous environment for future generations.

RADICAL RURAL TRANSFORMATION

Access to Quality Education: The team intends as a bond to accelerate primary education and lifelong learning opportunities in rural communities in the 20 local governments of the state. A knowledgeable and skilled society is essential for sustainable development.

Comprehensive Primary Health Care: The MA Abubakar new brand of government shall deliver quality healthcare service to all, most especially to vulnerable populations. Healthy individuals must contribute significantly to productivity and overall well-being in compliance with Sustainable Development Goal Phase 3.

Improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) System: The team shall enhance access to clean water and sanitation facilities. This directly impacts health outcomes and quality of life.

Strengthen Land and Water Transport System: The team shall ensure efficient transportation network that connects rural areas to urban centres, promoting economic activities and social integration.

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION:

Development of Agriculture Value Chain: Agriculture as the main stay of the people and Bauchi State is no doubt endowed with huge arable land that is yearning for various agricultural purposes with its attendant potential to job creation, industrialization and economic growth.

The team shall mobilize the services of professionals to conduct relevant feasibility studies; map, delineate and prioritize arable lands to various agricultural applications in accordance with their areas of comparative advantage. This is to create room for industrialization, enhance commerce and more job opportunities for the teeming youths.

Robust Agro-processing and Foods System: The team shall invest in efficient agro-base and agro-allied activities that will compliment the various value-chain of all our agricultural needs and export for revenue generation.

Markets Linkages and Access: The M.A Abubakar new brand of governance shall establish a comprehensive, efficient and effective market linkages for farmers to connect them directly with customers, retailers and export markets. It will also facilitate accessibility to market information and pricing data to enable farmers to form decisions.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIALIZATION:

Improved Market Systems: The team shall foster competitive markets to encourage innovation, fair trade and turning our markets a hub for the trade of assorted goods.

Efficient Tax System: The team shall harmonize and strengthen tax administration. A well-functioning tax system provides revenue for public services and encourages investment thereby showcasing its potentials as a vital economic hub in Nigeria.

It will create an enabling environment for ease of business: The team shall streamline administrative processes and create a business-friendly environment to attract investors and promote economic growth.

The growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone of any economy cannot be ignored.

The M.A Abubakar led administration promises to work assiduously with relevant stakeholders to initiate policies that will promote and catalyze the growth and development of these sector of the economy in Bauchi State.

The strategic geographical location of Bauchi State with its proximity to various sources of raw materials, hosting of critical strategic infrastructure for rapid economic growth and development, adequate network of transportation, arable lands for agricultural development should easily transform the state the hub of industrial, commercial and economic activities within the North-east and beyond.

Available statistics from an M.A Abubakar sponsored in-depth research on availability of mineral deposits in commercial quantity beneath Bauchi State soil shows that the M.A Abubakar team shall work assiduously with critical stakeholders for Bauchi State to attain its full economic potentials while exploration of crude oil in Kolmani valley shall be intensified and pursued with vigor to reality.

Inherited state dormant investments the likes of Zaki flour mill, Madangala sheep ranch, Gubi dairy farm, Misau ceramic industry etc, shall be reactivated through Public Private Partnership with reputable investors for economic growth and job opportunities. NO STATE GOVERNMENT-OWNED PROPERTY SHALL BE DISPOSED!

ENHANCE PEACE AND STABILITY:

Stability and Security: The team shall engage in a multi-faceted approach involving relevant stakeholders using various strategies to promote unity, peace and stability.

Community Engagement and Dialogue: The team shall foster community engagement through regular dialogues, town hall meetings, and community forums to be attended by Governor M.A Abubakar.

The purpose is to encourage open communication and collaboration among community members to address issues and grievances bedeviling their peaceful coexistence and promote understanding.

Conflict Resolution Mechanism: The team shall dutifully establish or strengthen local conflict resolution mechanisms, such as peace committees or mediation groups to address disputes and tensions before they escalate.

Community Policing: The team shall strengthen and inject new ideas to community policing initiative by promoting collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local vigilante groups in various communities. This will help to build trust, improve interactions and communication as well as enhance the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts.

Crime Prevention and Response: The team shall implement proactive crime prevention strategies such as increased patrols, neighborhood watch programs, and surveillance systems to deter criminal activities and improve response times to incidents.

Capacity Building: The team shall provide adequate training and resources to all local law enforcement agencies, security personnel and community leaders to enhance their capacity in maintaining peace, resolving conflicts, and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

As part of its concern to the welfare of the people, the M.A Abubakar new brand of governance shall establish Public Complaint Centres in all the 20 local governments to collate, entertain and submit reports of complaints from the governed for address.

THE BOND