One year in office: Is Governor Idris Kaura on Course

By Haruna Usman

One year of stewardship in a democratic dispensation should be enough to determine the administration’s commitment or otherwise to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, the sole owners of the mandate.
Whether new or continuing administration, the bottom line remains level of performance in the different sectors of socioeconomic and political development.

Governor Nasir Idris kaura of Kebbi State is among the new breed politicians elected during the 2023 general elections, Although not new in politics Comrade Nasir has been a unionist that actively participated in the politics of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and became Kebbi State Chairman of the Union and gradually moved to the national level as National Treasurer and eventually clinched the position of the National President before he finally got to the position of the Deputy National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

However, Comrade Nasir Kaura can be said to be new in partisan politics particularly in a state like Kebbi with a number of experienced, rugged and highly ambitious politicians.

Considered as a green horn in partisan politics, Comrade Nasir with determination and courageous attempt confronted and fearlessly challenged the authority of the self acclaimed political godfathers, disorganised the thinking and calculations of the political pundits, changed the political concept of Kebbi State and emerged the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Aged long friends and political associates within and outside the state attributed his success in the party primary elections and subsequent victory in the general election to his perseverance, generosity and commitment to achieving his sets goals.
The electioneering campaign was thorough and evidently tough. Comrade Nasir with his formidable campaign team of politicians identified as politicians of substance, had resorted to village to village campaign 24/7 throughout the campaign period.

His campaign centred on addressing the multiple socioeconomic challenges particularly inadequate infrastructure and deplorable condition of the existing ones especially in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Health care delivery services, dilapidated roads and schools structures as well as provision of support for agricultural development and promotion of both small and medium scale entrepreneurs with a view to creating employment opportunities.

In a clear dramatic political turn around as destined by God, Comrade Nasir Kaura, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, miraculously defeated the Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party. It was viewed as miraculous in view of the fact that he defeated the candidate of the party (PDP) that had earlier won the Presidential election, three Senatorial seats and five out of the eight House of Representatives seats.

Based on his identified areas of priority, soon after he was sworn in
Governor Nasir Kaura rolled out a number of capital intensive but meaningful projects for execution in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital which suffered unjustifiable neglect over the years, with a view to giving it a comprehensive face lift befitting a state capital and save it from the embarrassing situation in the eyes of the public, particularly visitors.

The expansion, dualisation and beautification of the major roads in the state capital, including the longest Sani Abacha bye pass were embarked upon. . At the same time, remodeling of round abouts and installations of high quality solar powered streetlights was comprehensively being provided and all at various stages of completion

Another important project given deserved attention is the completion of the abandoned multi billion naira state secretariat complex with the capacity of accommodating 25 Ministries in addition to the offices of the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Head of the State Civil Service the completion of the secretariat abandoned for nine years will undoubtedly
ensure effective inter ministerial administrative convenience.

The redesigning, renovation with additional befitting structures of the outdated Government House neglected over the years are being completed. The state Central mosque has also been upgraded with modified structures and modern facilities and can now be compared with any central mosque in any major city in Nigeria.

Also worthy of note is the reconstruction of the Central motor park which has been deserted by transporters due to the complete dilapidation of the structures and lack of proper maintenance over the years. The situation has inevitably necessitated the creation of many mini parks within the capital by different transportation unions but taken over by touts and miscreants with serious security implications.

The distribution of free fertiliser and solar powered irrigation pumps at subsidised price can be said to be another attempt to boost agricultural development in the basically agrarian state. However, complaints of alleged diversion of the inputs were made by the supposed beneficiaries.ln future, farmers cooperative associations with credible leadership can be considered for direct distribution to the farmers.

Establishment of nine Skills acquisition centres, one in each of the four emirates and the remaining five at the zonal offices of the Ministry of Commerce, industry and Cooperatives. Project sites have already been identified and work commenced at some of the centres including the one in Birnin Kebbi. Also achieved by the administration within the period under review is the complete payment of the accumulated debt of pension, gratuity and death benefits to the retired civil servants and families of deceased. Release of about N1billion scholarship for payment of scholarship to the state indigenes studying at 36 tertiary institutions in the country while the payment for those studying medical related courses in foreign institutions have also been settled, Persons with disabilities have also benefited with the establishment of Kebbi State Disability Rights Commission expected to be inaugurated next month.

The provision of brand new Hilux vehicles and motorcycles to all the security agencies including the vigilante has relatively reduced armed banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
By virtue of their esteemed position position in the community, traditional rulers, religious leaders including Imams of Juma’at mosques participation in governance has been considered extremely important. Accordingly, they are being consulted constantly through periodic consultations consultative meetings for observations and possible advice on the implementation of government policies and programmes.
What is expected of Governor Nasir at this stage of his administration is to focus on industrialisation through supporting both local and foreign investors to establish medium and large scale industries with the abundant raw materials particularly farm produce and mineral resources. Improvement of health care delivery, starting with the provision of required medical equipment and facilities for Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo. The Centre with Standard and sufficient structures compared to the ones in any Teaching Hospital, constructed by Governor Sa’idu Nasamu’s administration has grossly been under utilised and substantial part of it taken over by reptiles.

There is no gain saying that the terrible condition of Koko-Zuru abandoned federal road neglected over the years has completely cut off the people of Zuru, Danko/ Wasagu, Fakai and Sakaba local government areas. This has evidently resulted to the crippling of agricultural activities and other viable economic ventures, thereby creating artificial poverty in the land of plenty.

Regardless of the controversies surrounding the execution of the project, Governor Nasir Kaura has on several occasions expressed his preparedness to reconstruct the road and stressed that “even if it will be the only project i will do in Zuru Emirate during my first term “. Please i will wipe the painful tears of Zuru people.

In view of the foregoing Governor Comrade accomplishments are verifiable and whether or not he is on course should objectively be assessed by the public, devoid of political or parochial sentiments.

Public expectation now is for Governor Nasir to remain focused and steadfast but be aware of an emerging crack within his political base.

It is already in the public domain that some of his political appointees and associates, expected to sustain public support for the Governor, have started blackmailing their colleagues through deliberate concoction and spread of designed falsehood for reasons best known to them.

It has been observed that those being blackmailed are identified to be generous, accommodating and accessible to the people as directed by the Governor.

Such unfortunate situation if not check early and handle decisively, has the potentiality of creating a division that will not only derail the execution of the Governor’s laudable programmes but also affects his political journey to achieving his possible future political ambition.