As the general elections are fast approaching interesting events are unfolding that should catch the attention of not just a student of political history but also a concerned and enlightened electorate. Obviously, the dynamics of political intrigues have taken a new dimension since the insistence of the President to exercise what is seen as his constitutional right against his party’s political arrangement and agreement of power sharing that is aimed at creating stability and accommodation in the politics of our current dispensation and the diversity of our nation.

The issue of zoning has extensively been debated and the consequences of betraying the arrangement and agreement within the ruling PDP can only be imagined. One of the obvious effects it has generated is a ripple effect of do-or-die politics that has been reintroduced across the States of the federation, much thanks to the garrison commander-in-chief and lord of do-or-die politics; former President Obasanjo, who is seen as the grandmaster of what some might call the complete failure of our current democratic dispensation to yield the desired dividends of democracy despite the staggering amount of incurrent petro-dollars. One of such States that is experiencing intense politicking and political desperation is Katsina State; a State that is politically known to be stable and to a large extent moderate. In Katsina State; Gov. Shema being a coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo campaign in the region has a particularly difficult and challenging task at hand. One of the selling an unpopular product/candidate in the base and hometown of another candidate that has popularity in the region that is sweeping like a hurricane, with a momentum even Obama will be jealous of. While this might seem enough to give one the political challenge of his/her life, the situation is further compounded by the rise and shine of another political enigma and wonder kid in the person of Sen.Yakubu Lado Danmarke who is poised to take over power from Gov. Shema through the popular support of the masses particularly the energetic youths that are seen across the States shouting for change and a breath of fresh air. Change as delicate as it is and as inevitable as it stand is the banner with which the CPC in Katsina State and nationwide is waving. When one looks at the major contenders for the race to the Government House of Katsina State it is easy to conclude that the battle has been drawn between the PDP led by Gov. Ibrahim Shema and the CPC led by the energetic Sen. Lado Danmarke; in essence it is a struggle between the forces of power retention and that of progressive change.

Recent political happenings in the State like the intimidation and the arrest of the CPC’s governorship candidate in the person of Sen. Lado has proven that the PDP in the State under the leadership of Gov. Shema is hell-bent on retaining power by any means necessary and is determined to tell the opposition that there is no vacancy in the G.R.A Government House currently occupied by Gov. Shema. However, political pundits will observe that this has been the biggest miscalculation yet on the part of Gov. Shema, and like all rulers who try to resist progressive change, it has further strengthened the resolve of the masses particularly the youths who strive for change and an opportunity to make humble contribution in governance.

According to Sen. Yakubu Lado as published in Daily Trust Monday edition of march 7, 2011 when asked about his predicaments in the hands of the Nigerian police who were ordered by the governor to arrest him in a commando style for allegedly being seen ordering the stoning of the almighty Governor’s convoy, he said: “it appears to me that the presidency is behind this because the IG seem not to have control over the situation”. He went further to say that “the presidency has always looked for a way to get back at me over my opposition to the declaration of Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President, they are doing this to kill my spirit, intimidate us from emancipating the people of Katsina State from the bondage they are in under governor Shema, ’’. Indeed anyone familiar with the style of the PDP government at all levels will agree that the intimidation of the opposition particularly those in the CPC which is currently taking place in Katsina State is a well thought out and played out script of the ruling PDP to perpetuate its misrule on the Nigerian masses and prevent progressives under the banner of the Gen. Buhari-led CPC from emancipating Nigerians at the State level in Katsina State. Unfortunately this plan and strategy is gladly being implemented under the command of Gov. Shema to destroy the chances of Gen. Buhari who is seen by many within and outside the country as the most likely to win the Presidential election in a free and fair election.

Now that is appears obvious that the PDP is determined to hold on to power despite the cries of the people for progressive change, and its desperation to scuttle the legitimate ambitions of Gen. Buhari and Sen. Lado Danmarke in Katsina State, the questions many are asking is to what extent is the PDP willing to go to achieve this nefarious agenda? What are the fates of other progressive and dynamic candidates under the CPC in Katsina State and other States who have fallen victims of the vendetta war that the PDP is wagging against the CPC? These concerns can be summarised by what one political analyst and observer, Kabir Saulawa puts it; “, the real victims of the prosecution of Sen. Danmarke in Katsina State are people like Ahmed Sani Stores, the Katsina Central senatorial candidate who is a revolutionary in terms of dynamic ideas and vision. He (Ahmed Sani Stores) is arguably the most qualified person to have ever contested that seat considering his international exposure, uprightness and passion for change, Katsinawa cannot afford to lose this opportunity for effective representation, we can no longer allow our political rights to be short changed’’.

The backlash that accompanied the outcome of the PDP Presidential primaries when most people felt that the northern governors had failed in preserving the zoning agreement of the PDP which would have given the region a fair opportunity of producing a presidential candidate after 8years of southern rule and the role of the Coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo campaign which Gov. Shema has taken despite the feelings of betrayal that most Katsina State indigenes had over President Jonathans betrayal of Late President Yar’adua when the former unsuccessfully attempted to take over power from his boss, while he was on his sick bed, are some of the reasons why the Governor’s popularity in Katsina State is at its lowest point despite the modest contributions he has made in consolidating the achievements of Late Gov. Yar’adua in Office. Thus, as the Election Day is fast approaching, it will be interesting to see how Gov. Ibrahim Shema will be able to convince the electorate to support and vote for him for a second term in office now that the masses have resolved to come out to vote, escort and protect their votes. These are indeed interesting times in our political society.

Abdulhafiz Musa Abdullahi is a youth activist and political observer who was the Vice President of the INTI International University Student Government, Malaysia.

whyhafiz@yahoo.com , +2348131804143
http://www.pointblanknews.com/Articles/artopn3697.html