By; SAMSON YAKI, Lafia
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, Honourable Wada Nawada has described incumbent governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule and his predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, as leaders with shared vision for the state.
Wada who served as Commissioner for Works in the immediate past administration disclosed this while reacting to a statement credited to Barr. E.B Yaji, also a former Commissioner advising Engr. Sule to man up to his duties as governor.
Yaji who expresses regret over the current state of things alleged that Governor Sule is not in-charge of his administration.
“Your Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, you are an Executive Governor, not the MD that you were a few months ago. You got elected to steer the affairs of the state from 29th May 2019- 29th May 2023 and a second tenure if you really want and not to subcontract the mandate. Get a grip. We cannot have 2 governors in the state, power is not shared.
“The former governor can make your job easier by stepping aside and allowing you to run the state. I sympathize with his nostalgia of how he run the affairs of the state as his personal estate/fiefdom and still wallows in that feeling. That era is now history. SAD AS IT MAY BE. I served in his cabinet as a Commissioner so I know what I am writing about.
“It is an insult on your mandate for the ex- Governor to refuse to let go and acknowledge the dawn of a new era. International best practice must be brought to bear. I am a British & Nigeria citizen and lived in climes where democracy is allowed to thrive, similarly the Ex gov has shuttled many times to those societies where he owns various interest and understands how those societies operate and thrive. Why do you allow yourself to be so strangulated? Everyone must stay in his LANE”, Yaji wrote.
Reacting however, Wada rubbished the piece and described the author as one who don’t mean well for the state and its people.
“I read with shocks and disbelief, a write-up credited to a one time colleague of mine in the 2nd set of cabinet of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Honourable Emmanuel Brass Yaji from April 2013 to May 2015.
“Whoever work with Al-Makura, no matter how brief and at whatever capacity will appreciate the fact that he (Al-Makura) believe, support and encourage team work. He also appreciate and succumb to superior opinions irrespective of his personal interest.
“I least expect Brass to ‘even contemplate’ thinking that Distinguished Senator Al-Makura will interfere with the authorities of his successor, HE Engr Abdullahi A. Sule who was supported by Al-Makura based on merit, his capacity, capability, Competence, principles, pedigree and commitment to the sustainable development of our dear state which is in dare need after a long time neglect from creation in 1996 to 2011.
“My friend and former colleague would attest to the fact that even as his subordinates (Hon Commissioners) who were appointed by him and could be relieve any second he wishes, he wasn’t autocratic to us.
“He encouraged and supported our decisions, and that was how some of us did well, some performed average while some failed, mostly due to greed, incapacity and/or dubious tendencies, Some couldn’t make a return because of such reasons.
“I believe that no true or patriotic son or daughter of Nasarawa State would like the state to plunge to the kind of circumstances that are obtainable in Kano or Edo State.
“For the benefit of those who wish to see the two Progressives/Emancipators (Sen. Al-Makura and Gov. AA Sule) fighting, they should prepare for a long hibernation because the two are SIMILITUDES (Birds of the same feather flock together)”, he said.
Meanwhile, mixed reactions has greeted Yaji’s note of advise titled “Nasarawa: One State, Two Governors”, made public on Sunday.
