Mfon Patrick|16 February 2016|5:50am
Exactly, thirteen days ago at about 03:27p.m, I did promise my dear friends and political associates that I will unveil the new leader of PDP; a man who is youth-friendly, a man who is visionary and fearless, a leader who is a stranger to corrupt practices and would not condone such within the PDP of our new Nigeria, a leader who is set to re-define the diplomatic and political idealogy of the biggest party in Africa. A man so decent and principled for the new Nigeria.
While at Crush Cafe, Gwarinpa two days ago after work, listening to the cool rhythm from R. Kelly and sipping my chapman; my phone rang. Incoming call: Alhaji Musa Gabam. "Hello Sir! Good evening." I greeted. "Hello Patrick, how are you doing?" Said my leader. "I'm fine boss." I replied. "Ok, Patrick, check your whatsapp, I have a message for you." Said Alhaji Musa Gabam. For me, that was the long awaited call I've been expecting. From the right source. (My leader has been away consulting, mobilizing and working tirelessly and all I wished him was SUCCESS!). It came with the joy I got at the supreme court when my state governor's election was upheld. Since then I've been basking in the euphoria of victory. I walk with victors. Another call for victory is here, I wish to introduce to you the man with the divine mandate ready to put things right at the national level for PDP. I quickly checked my Whatsapp.
Behold, a letter confirmed thus, Alhaji Musa Gabam has defeated the immediate past F.C.T Minister amidst all his wealth, connections and popularity to emerge the candidate nominee of Bauchi State from the Northeast Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A zone saddled with the responsibility of presenting candidates nominee from all the northeast states for onward election as National Chairman of the party. Before I unfold other candidates; permit me to unveil the one with the divine mandate, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.
POLITICAL PROFILE:
Alhaji Gabam has acquired intimidating political experience and has made contacts across the length and breadth of Nigeria as a young politician. He was not only present at the various meetings that led to the formation of PDP but was a vibrant member of young foundation member of the party. He later became the leader of the PDP Young Founding group, popularly known as G-7. The group later translated to G-18 and subsequently G-34. Given this platform of the G-34 that the once largest political party, PDP was formed in Kaduna at the residence of the first Civilian Governor of Kano State, late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi when Gabam was the Special Assistant to late Alhaji Rimi.
Apparently satisfied with the Gabam’s vibrancy in politics and his intimidating contacts across the length and breadth of Nigeria, late Rimi appointed Gabam as Deputy Director General of his presidential Campaign Organization. In 2011, Gabam was the Director of Contact, Operations and Mobilization of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s Presidential Campaign Organization. He served diligently and the name Gabam became a household name within the PDP.
When all presidential aspirants of the northern extraction stepped down for former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and all political structures of the then aspirants collapsed into Atiku’s Campaign Organization, Alhaji Gabam was appointed the Deputy Coordinator of Atiku’s Presidential Campaign Organization. Indeed, Gabam knows the party perfectly and detests injustice. When the party meted out injustice to his candidate, Malam Isa Yuguda, by denying him the governorship ticket of Bauchi State, Gabam was not only instrumental to Yuguda’s defection to the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) but he advised Yuguda’s gubernatorial Campaign Organization on strategies. It was on the strength of his strategies that Yuguda rallied on to win the 2007 governorship election in Bauchi State against the interest of the then governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu.
The governor’s candidate who was the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Umar Nadada suffered humiliating defeat and Mu’azu’s was defeated by Yuguda’s Personal Assistant, Senator Bala Mohammed at the Bauchi south senatorial district. As appreciation for the role Gabam played his to emergence, Yuguda appointed him as the Chief of Staff, Government House.
As a focused, disciplined and goal-oriented politician of great repute, Musa Gabam, willingly tendered his resignation letter and quit the government when there was a high level of impunity and corruption in the administration of the Yakuda led government. As a career man, he went back to his business concerns and has remained an epitome of excellence.
I have never had any doubt in the Nigerian dream. The dream births progress, unity, development, hope sustained, accountability, vision on the strength of true leadership. I may not be completely wrong if I say that the older generation has failed us. True leadership has always been driven by younger and vibrant generations of youths. Perhaps, when Nigeria was working in the past; it was a country led by intelligent crops of Nigerian youths.
History, records that Alhaji Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa entered government at the prime age of 34 being elected in 1946, to the colony's Northern House of Assembly, and to the Legislative Assembly in 1947. As a legislator, he was a vocal advocate of the rights of northern Nigeria. Following his track records; he achieved so much in the struggle that led to our independence and wrapped up his political feat as the first Prime Minister of Nigeria.
At the age of 38 a powerful leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo while in London, had already formed the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in 1947, an association dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Yoruba culture in the new world. Awolowo is best remembered for his remarkable integrity, ardent nationalism, principled and virile opposition, and dogged federalistic convictions. His party was the first to move the motion for Nigeria's independence in the federal parliament and he obtained internal self-government for the Western Region in 1957. He is credited with coining the name "naira" for the Nigerian standard monetary unit. This is the spirit of youthfulness.
In their age bracket of 20s, 30s & 40s Ken Saro-Wiwa had served and shaped the history of his state as a regional commissioner in Rivers State. Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba at the age of 24 had already made an impact as the honourable commissioner for Works & Transport. Prof. Pat. Utomi defines the policies of our economy better for economic growth as the special assistant to the president on economic matters at the age of 27. Fast forwarded, Obasanjo, IBB, Buhari had all governed this nation in various capacity as governors, ministers, and head of state at their youthful age and contributed immensely to the growth of this country. Youthful age count! Youthful age is more productive and innovative.
Old men should give peace a chance. Old men should give true leadership a chance. Old men should give youths a chance to bring forth the re-birth of a new Nigeria. In such understanding, Alhaji Musa Gabam who had started so well politically at the age of 38 building up a group known as the G-7 that brought the formation of the biggest party in Africa; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As the first leader of the G-7, Musa Gabam had gained a truckload of political experience. Experience of a political direction. Experience of political consciousness amongst the youths and our elderstatesmen. Experience of a great political re-birth therefore it will be of great wisdom to confidently allow the divine mandate of Musa Gabam to bring forth the re-birth of a new Nigeria via his leadership in PDP. I stand here today to say, that the youths of south south are strongly behind Alhaji Musa Gabam. As delegates; as party members, as fans; as party faithfuls: we are here ready to push our own vibrant leader in the person of Alhaji Musa Gabam.
In the consciousness of today's political space, Alhaji Musa Gabam currently at 46 of age is the rightful man to lead this great party PDP. I have x-rayed through the age data of the other candiates from northeast zone mandated to produce candidate nominees for the election of the party's chairmanship position. I frown about this if we continue to sit on the fence and allow things to go the same traditional way without the effective change we truly yearn for. From Adamawa: Wilberforce Juta is 80 plus a candidate for the same position. From Gombe: Sen. Saidu Kuma is 70 plus of age (former secretary of the defunct ANPP) a candidate too. Borno: Alh. Abba Gana a candidate at the age of 80 plus is out to battle the divine mandate given to our youthful leader. Yobe: Sen. Girgir, is also 80 plus while Alh. Shehu Musa Gabam is the only vibrant man with the biblical anointing which states that, "young men shall see visions." Thus far, Alh. Musa Gabam being 46 of age shall see visions for PDP; a vision of re-birth for a new Nigeria!
It was in youthfulness, that Nigeria was truly built by young leaders back in the day. The re-birth of this same country should be saddled on youths who are energized, disciplined, clean, transparent, innovative, focused and goal-driven. In the wisdom of what our erudite and vocal legal practitioner Nyot T. (Esq.) said and I quote,
"This is a positive step politically, going through his profile and its glaring the man possesses finesse and is blessed by the heavens….The PDP is undergoing restructuring and its healthy for our democracy, for the presence of a vibrant opposition stays government on its feet…The candidature of Alhaji Musa Gabam considering his age is a gift from the PDP to not just party faithfuls but Nigerians as democracy is a beautiful phenomenon that cuts across party lines…A huge task however must be done to restructure the PDP…party membership should be made easier, thank God we in a digital age, over the years we have lost touch with what really is the political ideology of the PDP. We young folks seek to know in clear and concise terms, Nigeria is a country that belongs to both the young and old, involve the Young more in the PDP scheme of affairs so that there can be a juxtaposition of vibrant youthful ideas with experience of an older generation refined by years of political victory and scars…I wish him well but he should realize that being at the helm of affairs of the PDP at this moment is a great challenge and he has the chance of etching his name in stone for posterity or writing same in the sands for the early morning breeze to make mind forgetful of what existed …."
In the spirit of Valentine, I lovingly appeal to all youths to stand up for Alhaji Musa Gabam, let the name fly on your social media. Let the vision of a new Nigeria fly by promoting the re-birth of Nigeria through youthful leaders. I also appeal to the conscience of our dear elders contesting for the same position to step down for Alhaji Musa Gabam and lend him your wise counsel when needed while you pray for him to lead rightly too.
God bless Musa Gabam!
God bless PDP!!
God bless Nigeria!!!
Mfon Patrick,
Writes from the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja.
