2019: The challenges before Kebbi governor, Bagudu

As the clock ticks towards 2019 general elections, the political atmosphere at all levels is tensed, the party must contend with the proliferation of aspirants both old and new breed politicians, as they fish in troubled and uncertain waters, the quest to retain or get new positions heightens making it practically challenging.

The governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Atiku Bagudu had it quite soft during the 2015 polls because he joined APC when it was clear the party will deliver as it was crystal that the ruling party then was heading to the rocks with Buhari as presidential aspirant, the journey was really for other aspirants.

Governor Bagudu took advantage of the situation and won the party’s ticket, eventually became the governor of Kebbi. He has now been tested for three years, he got more lovers and many enemies as the number one citizen of the state, in the course of governance he may have stepped on toes, therefore his popularity rating may reduce due his actions and inactions.

As a clever politician he thought it wise to kill opposition in the state in order to get yet another smooth ride to the government house, he succeeded in bringing to his party’s fold a notable politician from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he made the party a shadow of its former self, those in the state and visitors can hardly notice the existence of another party apart from the ruling APC.

However, the dust is not quite over, before him is a prince of Argungu by name Ciroma, a billionaire retired Customs’ officer, the governorship aspirant can match the sitting governor naira for naira and dollar for dollar, especially if the party allows direct primaries.

Aside that, now the dying opposition is gradually regaining its breath as the former national treasurer of the PDP has joined the race, another famous politician, Abubakar Gari Malam is speculated to be one of those eyeing the coveted seat, the Shattiman Gwandu is a real headache to the governor as he gave the former governor of the state, Saidu Dakin Gari a good fight under a new party then, DPP, that makes him a strong force to reckon with.

In the civil service, Governor Bagudu pays salaries regularly and promptly, but the backlog of unpaid gratuities is posing a huge threat to the governor as he galvanises his government as thousands of them are not please with him for his inability to settle them,

the new entrants’ into the party are crying of neglect after been wooed to the ruling party, they are left unattended to by the governor, these human and political forces staring the face of Governor Bagudu must be adequately addressed before 2019.