Former Yobe State Governor, and the chairman Senate committee on Ecology and Climate change, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, on Saturday, conceded the seat of Yobe East senatorial zone to the incumbent, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam
Recall that Senator Ibrahim had on Sept 6, 2018, picked up the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek reelection in the upcoming 2019 general election.
However, the decision of the ex-governor to concede the seat followed the endorsement of Gaidam for the Yobe East senatorial ticket by the leaders and stakeholders of APC during an enlarged meeting of the party held in the state, on Friday.
The APC chieftain, in a statement issued by his media aide, Yusuf Ali, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Saturday, stated that he arrived at the decision in the best interest of the state.
The statement reads, “Senator Dr Bukar Abba Ibrahim continued to offer himself for service to the people of Yobe State whether in or out of government he has said he is into politics for life. However, His decision to run again in for the Yobe East Senatorial ticket 2019 was based on the fact that his people did not recall him. As a successful politician it’s a pressure from his political associates, friends and supporters alike. Run Bukar run.
“However, I want to make it categorically clear that it’s on record Bukar said he would not run, if Gov Gaidam runs. He has said if he wants the Senatorial Seat it is all his. There is no problem he has had enough. Bukar has been waiting patiently for Gaidam to decide. Bukar has approached Gaidam several times to know his mind but he kept mute. The clock is ticking, time waits for nobody, 2019 elections is here and we are still not sure Gov Gaidam is running. All what we hear is endorsements and political bootlicking to appease the Gov. Bukar then decided not to keep waiting and entered the ring. In that case, its Gaidam’s fault for delaying so long to express his interest.
“Sen Bukar has expressed his absolute loyalty to the Yobe State Government. He would not and will never caused disaffection and disunity in the party and or between the good people and government of Yobe State. He is never in for do or die politics. As he always says “Daga Allah sai Talaka” meaning “Power belongs to Allah and the masses to decide. It’s unfortunate that we come to this. I am not here to drum public support and sympathy for Sen Bukar. I want to make it clear that he has actually conceded the seat to Gov Gaidam but he was completely left in the dark, in a state of bewilderment.
“Politics is full of intrigues and, in Nigeria, violence. Most of the time, the candidate and leaders are not aware of what some of their followers get up to, actions that are often impossible to control. In Yobe, we don’t have do or die politicians that see politics as an investment from which they must recoup their money if not then violence and other criminal activity. God forbid.
“As a pride of the Sahel, we believe that politics is a community service to contribute our quota in the democratic process for the betterment of our people.
“I can understand both Gov Gaidam and Sen Bukar selfless urged to serve the people, their love for Yobe and the people, I doubt if it’s for their personal aggrandizement wanting to slug it out. As the situation unfolds, let’s remain calm and peaceful and pray for the best in our state and the nation as a whole.
“There is no cause for alarm. It’s all politics there is bound to be frictions but the interest of the people and the larger political picture were more important. Gov Gaidam and Sen Bukar will find a common ground to sort it out themselves. There is nothing that is not possible. I believe every decision taken is in the best interest of our good people of Yobe State.”
Comments