When Two Same Strategies Collide

WHEN THE TWO SAME STRATEGIES COLLIDE 

The half-baked democracy we imported into the country has given every state the chance to domesticate its politics, which every state can be analysed based on norms built in that state. Gombe state for instance since 1999 its politics is being played based on welfarism and infrastructural development. However, this came with a price we pay in thuggery which is squarely known as Kalare.

When Danjuma Goje came to power in 2003, Gombe state witnessed a rapid growth, (a new dawn) ranging from human capital development, infrastructure; touching Education, Health, Agriculture, Road networks there then Gombe proudly wore a garment of jewel in the savanna. For a government that meant inclusion to all and sundry, those who were not privileged to attend school, found a negative side of government, they were set across the streets and major wards in Gombe, labelled as 'Goje Boys' providing them with sound-system equipments, an ultra modern speakers alongside three loader stereo and a standby generators playing political songs, sang for their master smoking weeds thinking that they have arrived.

Power is the bus stop of human needs. When power is attained, without free-will and total freedom, it becomes absurd to the beholder. One needs support to win elections no matter how powerful, so did Goje, he sought support from within and outside Gombe that helped his success. Atiku Abubakar was once his helper in this regard. The stupor of power will never allow its beholder to listen in denigration to the person who helped him, this has been happening since time immemorial. Between Goje and Atiku we saw it, likewise between Dankwambo and Goje, now Inuwa Yahaya and Goje. But why is Goje always there ?

Danjuma Goje has become a father in Gombe state politics, having a kind of dynasty established, Inuwa Yahaya is a product of that establishment and the likes of Habu Mu'azu, Usman Bello, Dasuki name them. Without doubt, a dynasty can never reign for life; it must elapse by force or by choice, which many people find it imperative for Goje to resign in pride rather than elapse in shame. The battle line that was drawn within APC disconnecting Goje and his allies from teller of government, and the affront of Habu Mu'azu in Deba on the person of Danjuma Goje projects that to retire is best for his reputation.

This nascent hope that Goje will succeed the National Party Chairman of APC to face the 2023 general election still reignites the jamboree and makes the seat of power warm and more borborygmus which is hoping to get reelected.

The myrmidons that were formed as symbolic supporters of the then government in 2003 transformed and became demons within Gombe, unleashing destruction and mayhem in every election, local or national, throughout the tenure. A security squad was set Anti-Kalare to contain the new normal of the youths wedging the spread, until the succeeded government of Dankwambo came that initiated a scheme under social investment program to integrate them in the society on monthly stipend termed as Marshal.

Every government prefers its social investment program, especially when the new government does not share the same party with the elapsing one, Inuwa Yahaya scrapped the Marshal without setting any getting to three years, which translates to a blockage in welfarism, (a core in the pillars). This raises one side of the people's nose questioning the no-face to its core in its domestic politics.

The karma always strikes perhaps most a times in a harsh way, Goje was invited to a wedding inside the capital city where he was the number one citizen a decade ago, in the same area where he allegedly labelled as the 'Boko Haram hideout' the ward that is termed as breeder of Kalare Boys. The mobilization of the boys came as a surprise even before Goje's flight touched the ground a few hours earlier, giving the impression that something bad was about to strike in the heart of the town. Goje's entourage was raided, allegedly ganged up by the APC youth leader in the state who was since arrested immediately after the raid. It gave Goje a tough time to navigate through the town to his house in Pantami, which many people questioned why he traversed through Jekadafari when a road to his house is spread along Government House which is more secure and short.

After the quench in the mayhem, the commissioner of information came on radio lamenting the incident, issuing a warning to any individual on no account for incitement in the state. This can be attested that Inuwa Yahaya will never succumb to slack in security when he went straight to Billiri from Abuja to address the elders after the crisis of enthronement of Mai Tangale. With the instant arrest of APC youth leader, and the press released by the commissioner, the Inuwa's words in government house advising the new commissioner of youth to gather 'matasa da kayan aiki' and what apparently transpired that people witnessed, it became very flummox as to which side the mobilization of the hoodlums came from.

With the presence of opposition party in the state serving as a lion in the den, alongside the intra-crisis in APC, and the two core norms of welfarism and capital project of the state politics, getting reelected at this time of hot atmosphere depends on the work done on the ground so far and the smile on the people's face through welfarism, not on a thuggery and scaring the opposition party or electorates; we've witnessed this before and we would not buy the same idea again. Remember, so long as this willy-nilly of welfarism is in our vein, the development we cherish most is at stake, we are at the brink of losing our self-worth in the unique way of running our politics that makes Gombe State a 'Primus Inter Pares' from its state mates across the country.

Ahmadmurtala43@gmail.com