BY ALIYU DANGIDA

UNARGUABLY, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has executed a quantum of projects since the inception of his administration eight years ago.

Lamido’s journey to the government house was tortuous. He ran for the seat on two occasions  against former Governor Saminu Turaki and lost. It was with the intervention of his political godfather, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and Saminu Turaki’s endorsement his dream of becoming Jigawa governor materialized on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Upon becoming governor, Lamido embarked on numerous projects to empower his people and develop the state, for which, unarguably, he is being called the political father of Jigawa politics.

However, what is arguable is whether or not his political clout and achievements can translate into votes for PDP candidates in tomorrow’s election. His party was roundly and soundly beaten in the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections in Jigawa by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The determining factors

Rather than Lamido’s influence, watchers of undercurrents of Jigawa politics say that the strength of the actors and their backers, the weight of the two major parties (APC and (PDP) and the candidates, the bandwagon effect, the Buhari factor and Jonathan factor.

Following years of hard work, the APC has erected political structures from the polling unit, ward and local government up to the state level. The structures are have become so formidable to the extent that the APC is serious about unseating the ruling PDP tomorrow.

In PDP, people like Muhammadu Daguro who came from Hadejia Emirate are expected to work hard to deliver the area to PDP even though the Buhari factor may hurt his chances and political influence as was seen in the last elections where APC swept all the seats including the senatorial seat which the incumbent speaker contested.

Talking about Birnin-Kudu, the local government of Governor Lamido, things will not be easy for his lieutenants because the two popular and influential politicians of the area from the APC, Hon. Farouk Adamu and Senator-elect, Hon, Sabo Mohd Nakudu have since set up formidable structures that will work against the ruling PDP.

Unguarded utterances and abusive words by PDP chieftains such as the governor and former PDP chairman, Isah Duniya Bahutu, during their political gatherings against Buhari may count against the PDP candidates at the polls.

Battle in the emirates

In Gumel Emirate, the recent defection of the deputy governor with his supporters to the APC, which made the PDP to lose the Jigawa North-West senatorial election to a former member of the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Ojo, may also play a role in the outcome of tomorrow’s election.

Other people who may determine the outcome of the April 11 elections in the area include Ex-president of NUJ, Malam Sani Zoro; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Garba Hannun Giwa; and Alhaji Mannir Babba among others.

In Dutse Emirate, the APC received hundreds of PDP chieftains such as Alhaji Bashir Aminu and Senator Bello Maitama, who happened to close associates of the governor among others. The APC has made significant impact in the area with the influence of people like Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Hon. Saidu Miga, Hon. Sule Musa Dutse, Hon. Abdullahi Kemba Madobi and Alhaji Adamu A. Rungumau.

In Ringim Emirate, the home town of the APC and PDP governorship candidates (Mallam Aminu Ibrahim hailed from Ringim local government and Alhaji Badaru Talamiz is from Babura local government), the chances of APC are bright given its performance in the March 28 polls.

In Kazaure Emirate which shares border with Daura, the home town of the President elect,  the story may be sad for PDP.

In spite of people like the Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Nasiru Roni and his local government counterpart, Alhaji Salisu Saleh Indirawa who are PDP die-hard in the area, their hope and chance have been dimmed with the defection of hundreds of their followers to the APC less a week ago.

The appearance of Ex-governor Turaki in APC is another catastrophe for PDP and a clear indication that the people of Kazaure Emirate will vote for ‘change.’

The recent reconciliation of Hashimiyya-led Ubale Yusuf Hashim and the Badariyya-led Badaru Muhd Talamiz APC factions will also boosts APC’s chances.

In spite of the signals, which appear to favour the APC, the ruling PDP  is not relenting in its effort to remain in the saddle, campaigning intensely for its candidates through radio jingles, advertising its projects and selling the party governorship candidate to the people of the state. Lamido is also upbeat about the chances of PDP candidates saying he does not need to campaign as his projects will campaign for him and PDP candidates.

Will Lamido’s projects speak for PDP candidates? We shall see tomorrow.