*Writes Open Letter
PRESS RELEASE BY NON-ALLIGNED YOUTH FORUM, EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AND POLITICAL RESEARCH, KADUNA STATE CHAPTER.
OPEN LETTER TO RT HON FEMI GBAJIAMILA AND PRESIDENT ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON ADOPTING RT HON YUSUF BALA IKARA AS MINISTER FROM KADUNA STATE.
In recent times, the political atmosphere in kaduna state and by extension the nation is charged with the unfortunate bowing out of Mal Nasiru El-rufa’I from the ministerial aspiration.
This move has created a vacuum and a fertile playing field for various interest groups and political lobbyists to establish overnight alliances to project their candidates for consideration by the president and his noble Principal Officers especially the much influential Chief of Staff, Rt honorable Femi Gbajiamila.
Therefore, this letter is to him. In it, is message of hope, message on pointing to the path of all inclusive governance and praxis on politics of loyalty and service delivery by no other than Rt Hon Yusuf Bala Ikara.
Rt Hon Yusuf Bala is a seasoned political actor who never changed political party since his foray into politics.
He has been content with being on the side of the opposition up to the time when concerted efforts of his likes turned the table.
Sir, in the frantic search of a potential minister, there should not be considerations of who is the nice guy on the bloc but who can deliver on the mandate of the “renewed hope” of the president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In consideration of Nigeria political space, alliances, contributions and achievements hold immense significance.
Rightly so, if capacity is what is sacrosanct in consideration of a prospective positions or that of a minister, then we should not look further.
This is more so as Yusuf Bala, from Ikara has proven records held in various capacities at the National Assembly where he held very sensitive positions as member to numerous committees where he performed exceedingly well to the consternation of many while deploying immense capacity woven in patriotism and unflinching loyalty to his principals.
As it were, while serving in the Federal House Representative, his vast experience was brought to bear as he sterlingly demonstrated tact, capacity and immense zeal in the sensitive committee he served. In the ongoing contest for the slots of ministers in kaduna state, wits or extant connections alone are not enough but capacity, capability, loyalty and pedigree in national assignments.
Be that as it may, Rt hon Yusuf Bala Ikara served in various committees which included the Petroleum Upstream and downstream committee, the committee on Niger Delta, Federal character commission, committee on Port harbour and water ways in the eight years he was in the chamber.
The Chief of Staff can without doubt attest to his competence and abundant potential in the delivery of his mandate to nigerians as they both served the nation together at that level.
It is also on record that Yusuf Bala pooled his resources to assist the less privileged in his immediate constituency by initiating human development project which were aimed at boosting the socio-economic structure of his people in critical areas such as education, securing of job opportunities for the teeming grass-root youth while introducing viable intervention initiatives in agriculture being majorly the occupation of rural communities.
Permit us to also register the fact that aside from politics, Yusuf Bala is an entrepreneur and consultant of the highest repute as a private citizen, to wit, he is engaged with the the engineering company Baco Tools in Portharcourt, Bonsec engineering and Marine, Pieros Technology, consultant as a maitainance engineer with Pan-African maritime, Halal integrated services port Harcourt among other services delivery multinational outfits.
In setting the record straight, he was a gubernatorial contestant in kaduna state but politely withdrew from the contest for the incumbent to emerge. Rt hon. Bala has supported the campaign efforts of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by mobilizing and firming up massive support for the eventual victory of the APC at the top and in kaduna state.
In Nigeria’s post independent politics, the precursor of disagreements and fallout of political mentors and their mentees are majorly devaluation of loyalties of the mentees.
Recognizing that, Rt hon Yusuf Bala Ikara has come up well equipped by avoiding unnecessary altercations with political contemporaries, embracing the ethics of humanity which is guided by tolerating people of different ethno-religious walks of life.
Finally, in the ongoing trajectory for potential ministerial appointments in Nigeria, the membership of this Forum have observed and seen the notable work and progressive roles played by him within the country. While also acknowledging the diverse and conflicting interests in the ministerial nominations, we are comforted by the patriotic ideals of Rt Hon Yusuf Bala Ikara in the face of many conflicting factors.
The nomination of Yusuf Bala will also accommodate and settle the issue marginalization of Zone one which has been left out of requisite federal appointments for long.
We all stand with bated breathe and expectations for Rt Hon Yusuf Bala Ikara to be called upon by President Bola Tinubu through the wise counsel of Rt hon Gbajabiamila to serve in his noble cabinet.
Therein, will the nation be spellbound by the political prowess of Yusuf Bala which is steeped in experience and balanced in a well coordinated personality.
Albab Abdullahi
Convener
