BY WOLE MOSADOMI

Since the two successive bomb blasts that rocked the state, to be precise  in Suleja town within two months since March this year, residents of Niger State have been reluctant to   attend  public functions.

The first sad experience was on March 3 when 10 persons were confirmed dead after bombs exploded at the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) zone B rally held in Suleja.  Besides the loss of lives, several others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Few weeks later, on the eve of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, another bomb blast rocked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC office in Suleja killing and leaving scores of people including some former and serving youth corps members either dead or wounded.

Just three days to the May 29 handover date across the country, the Niger State commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Zuokumor alerted people of the state of the infiltration of the dreaded Boko Haram sect into parts of the state with their full presence in Suleja and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).

Though he assured the people that the police command was on top of the situation, the people  became more wary and restricted their movements to their immediate vicinities.

This perpetual fear has in no small way led to the poor attendance of people of the state to the inauguration ceremony of the Chief Servant, Governor of the state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who has in the past four years transformed the state into an enviable one.

Despite the ugly incidences recorded in the state, thousands of PDP supporters still stormed the Trade Fair Complex, Minna, venue of the ceremony but were locked out  by stern looking and armed security men,  who not only cordoned off the roads and surroundings  but also put the gates leading to the arena under lock and key.

Those who managed to pass through  were subjected to series of checks to  ascertain that they were really friends and not enemies.

One thing which was very unique at the inauguration ceremony was the presence of the opposition.

Though there have been cheering news over the reconciliation between the warring members within the party, the physical presence of such members at the inaugural ceremony led by the immediate past governor, Engineer Abdulkdir Kure confirmed  the positive development.

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida along with wife of former Head of State, Justice Fati Abubakar and many prominent sons and daughters of the state also graced the occasion.

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was however in Abuja to witness the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
He had however shown his solidarity at home at the Inaugural lecture organized earlier to commemorate the state inaugural ceremony.

The oath of office was administered on the governor,  and his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto by Chief Judge of the state, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo.

In his speech, the governor,  while thanking the people  for their support at the polls,  noted that the day should be used to “analyse what happened at the polls, commend those who did exceedingly well, chastise those who wanted to embarrass us and to reorganize our party to enable it regain its proper place as the supreme organ of governance”.

He also said that rather than be carried away by the success recorded at the polls, the day should also be for sober reflections on the enormity of the task ahead and also a day to renew the resolve of government and commitment to continue to serve the people of the state with utmost respect and fear of Allah.

According to him, “while it may appear tough to win the people’s trust for the first time in politics, it is even tougher when you are asking for a second chance and the burden of accountability is heavier once you have been given a second chance to correct your earlier shortcomings”.