BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI
It was a remarkable outpouring of affection for Mohammed Buba Marawa. It is one thing to mobilize the electorate, it is another thing for them to attend or partake in the cause they were mobilized for.

In the case of General Marwa, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC governorship candidate in the January 2012 election, his personality, track record of performance and the conviction that Adamawa State would be turned into another progressive and comfortable place like Lagos and old Borno state under him, evidently triggered the huge turnout of supporters this particular Thursday.

Prior to his campaign flag_off on that day there were alleged attempts by some elements in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP controlled administration of the state to sabotage the flag-off. The day earlier scheduled for the flag_off, Wednesday 7th, December was hurriedly scheduled for the commissioning of Radio Gotel, a radio station owned by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who is backing the incumbent Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Governor Nyako and Marawa

But a determined Marwa advised his supporters not to be deterred or discouraged by the action of the State government but see it as a challenge that would soon be overcome. Remarkably, the guest of honour proposed for the commissioning was nowhere near Adamawa state on that Wednesday or any other day for that matter.

Rather what happened on that day, was the inauguration of a 73 member campaign gubernatorial committee by the PDP in Abuja to sell Nyako for a second term.

Nyako had wrested the PDP ticket at the PDP primary, coming out tops with 854 votes  from the 869 delegates accredited for the exercise. His only challenger Dr Umar Ardo got nothing as the remaining votes were voided.

Admiral Nyako is also telling anyone who cares to listen that his achievements as governor in the last four years are there for everyone to see, and that is why he deserves re_election as Governor for the second time to deliver more democracy dividends to the Adamawa people.

Besides the challenge from Marwa is also the candidacy of Engr. Markus Gundiri of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN. Gundiri is believed to have the strong backing of the Christian community.

Perhaps sensing the need of forging a strong alliance against Nyako, Marwa had recently invited Gundiri to be his running mate with a promise to serve one term and step aside for Gundiri to run the second term. That offer has, however, been rebuffed by Gundiri and ACN chieftains on the grounds that ACN outperformed CPC at the 2011 general polls in the state.

The ACN said that the party which recorded an aggregate vote cast of 506,309 in the 2011 election with two members of the House of Representatives and four House of Assembly seats as against CPC’s 298,670 with one member of the House of Representatives and one member of House of Assembly should produce the governorship candidate if both parties merge.

So it was against the determination of Marwa and his supporters to effect a change in the administration that on December 8th 2011 his supporters poured out in large numbers to witness the launch of the Marwa gubernatorial campaign.

The crowd on that day was further electrified by the presence of the presidential candidate of the CPC in the 2011 election, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). The atmosphere was one of certain freedom for a people in bondage.

Buhari in his address  affirmed that “Marwa is a God fearing leader that will turn the lives of Adamawa people around for the better”.

Aside that he said “Marwa has done it in other places like Lagos and Borno, comprising two states, so nobody should be in doubt about what he will do in his own state”.

“If Marwa says he will provide free education, I believe him, if Marwa says he will provide free health care, I believe him. If he says he would provide security for lives and property, I believe him and if he says he will bring change, I believe him because he has done it before. So give him your support because he is a good man”, he added.

On machinery put in place by CPC to guard against ballot box snatching, stuffing and other electoral malpractices, “We have in place mechanism to guard our vote’s right from the polling units, wards, and local government to the collation centers. Our agents must be allowed to accompany our votes. Serious measures will be adopted by the gubernatorial candidate in this direction”, Buhari said.

He reiterated that “Marwa has already mentioned that he will give priority to education, healthcare, water supply, security problems which the people are itching for solutions in the state and I know he will do it”.

Earlier, Marwa said his promises as outlined in his programme of action to uplift the people of Adamawa state from ‘hell’, are his bond and that as an officer and a gentleman, he should be held accountable if elected.

“It is gratifying that General Buhari personally attended my flag_off with high ranking officers of the National Secretariat of the CPC and other stakeholders like Governor Tank Al_Makura to flag off the campaign. We are very, very delighted, extremely happy and we are ready for the battle come January 14, 2012” he said.

On the possibility of the votes being rigged Marwa retorted, “Our opponents will meet us here. I am General Marwa of the Lagos fame. I am not stupid; when I go into something, I plan thoroughly. Those potential riggers will meet their waterloo this time around. We in the CPC will act within ambit of the law”

“For Nigerians living in Adamawa state, my message to them if we win is that equity and fair play is at their doorsteps. All people irrespective of their state of origin would be treated equally like I did in Borno state some 20years ago when I sew two pairs of school uniform each for every primary school pupils in our free education programme irrespective of whether you are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Kanuri, Igala, Tiv, Ijaw etc”.