Trouble in Adamawa Over Political Control Of The State APC By Two Camps

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Maigida Johnson

Political observers have raised concerns in Adamawa State over a developing political scrimmage. Observers in the state say it’s not unconnected with an attempt to gain political control of the state by two separate camps of the leadership of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in the state. According to a report by Leadership Newspaper, as the contention gradually builds in the state, fingers are pointing to the camps of President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as leaders of the warring parties.

Not a few have blamed this ongoing political situation which is capable of immersing the state in a political imbroglio, on Adamawa State Governor, Alh. Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla. He is alleged to have pitched camp with, and heading the Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s camp. On the other side are the three Senators who represent the three senatorial districts of the state and who are said to enjoy the  support of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Engr. Babachir David Lawal otherwise know as the head of the President Buhari’s camp.

Political analysts insist that the political warfare is premised on who should control the ruling political party, APC’s hierarchy in the North Eastern state of Adamawa, a development, likely to weaken the grip of the All Peoples Congress’s control of the state.

The subject of the dispute, believed to be the battle for the heart and soul of the All Peoples Congress in the state, is already generating bad blood in the state and top leaders of the party fear that it is capable of unobtrusively sliding political control of the state to the already waiting hands of the Peoples Democratic Party, the main opposition party, if not nipped in the bud.

Our usually reliable source who prefers to remain anonymous, revealed that the Adamawa State Government’s outright boycott of the wedding of the daughter of the Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal was a clear indication that all was not well in the party. The situation in which the functionaries of the state government were nowhere near the arena of the church nor the  accompanying reception, only further buttresses the frosty relationship as it raised questions among stakeholders in the state who have begun to openly talk about it.

A Close watcher and an associate of the State Governor who spoke to us had hoped that the social ambience provided by the wedding of the daughter of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, was the much needed opportunity for the melting of the tension between both parties. He called it “A missed opportunity”.

While none of the parties to the dispute have come out in the open to acknowledge or disproof the inauspicious snarl in the state, watchers in the state believe the situation is aggravating and that they are obviously, heading on a collision course.

Although the sour relationship of the two political giants of All Progressives Congress (APC) have been artfully and covertly disallowed from revealing in public eyes by the two political heavy weights, signs of the disturbing relationship can no longer be hidden from prying eyes as aloofness has taken over the relationship that once blossomed, between both parties.

Not a few were unpleasantly surprised at the attitude of the Governor who within a few months of winning the gubernatorial election, suddenly switched alliance to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. But as some have said, he owed no one any immediate explanation so all must watch to see his next action being the number one citizen of the state.

Still, there are those who appear concerned about the impact of such action on All Peoples Congress and the state in entirety. With the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the political theatre of events, other political bigwigs have either declared their support for President Buhari or Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in accordance with where their interest lies. The President Buhari faction is rumoured to be enjoying and reaping from the unpronounced ill-disposed feelings between former Governor Murtala Nyako and Governor Jibrilla.

Commentators on the issue have posited that judging from the past events before the election, in which some of Alhaji Atiku’s supporters defected to the other camp, and the emergence of Governor Jibrilla in one of the fiercest battle to win the gubernatorial candidacy of the state, (which obviously was a political loss for Alhaji Atiku), it would not make less a tough battle for the Governor and Atiku duo. It is believed that the alliance Gov. Jubrilla and Alhaji Atiku, is not formidable enough to withstand the onslaught of the Pres. Buhari team.

Again, not much is going on in the state in terms of development. Political analysts blame this on Gov. Jubrilla’s reluctance to release finances for the funding of developmental projects. Although everyone appears to be watching with keen interest on how further things will unfold, this reluctance in releasing funds for vital developments in the state would add to the suspicion with which many, particularly those in the Pres. Buhari camp, view Gon Jubrilla’s intentions.

The sudden shift in political allegiance of the governor in which he shockingly announced his commitment to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar after the former Vice-President supported his opponent against him at the last election, sources describe as a huge disadvantage on his political career as he now has to work with some of his former political arch-rivals. How long this new found love would go is what followers of the political events in the state are waiting to see. Our source insists it’s surely a political manoeuvre that would see Jubrilla as a one term governor of the state. It’s also worthy of note that “sensible” party faithfuls are secretly aligning themselves with the Engr. Babachir David Lawal group.

Most people spoken to express concern that the belligerent camps have stuck to their guns on who should control the All Peoples Congress in the state. They insist that the interest of the state, should take precedence even as they are hoping that Gov. Jubrilla, now considered lightweight, should focus more on running the state profitably. This would avert a situation the citizens of the state who are hoping to reap the fruits of hard labour sowed at the last April poll will start agitating their fair deal from the current democratic dispensation in the state.

2 Comments
  1. Bobby says

    I am saddened with these piece. I feel really sad that this purely agrarian state is retrogressing. People should wake up from their slumber and say no to this nonsense. Why can’t these people work together for the general good of the state?

  2. Ayuba Ibrahim gaya says

    Comment:TURAKI SHOULD BE BLAME FOR ANY DIS UNITY IN THE STATE AND FOR ANY POLITICAL FRACTURE, BECOUSE WE ALL BELIEVE IN HIM AND TRUST HIM .BUT SUDENLY HE CHANGE TO ANOTHER THINGS ELS NOT WHAT WE KNW HIM FOR AND THE TRUS WE FOUND IN HIM ANY LONGER.
    HE SHOULD USE WISDOM AND TREAT EVERY INDIGINE OF THE STATE EQUAL AND STOP DISCRIMINATE.

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