A nation can endure with disbelief but it cannot endure with injustice- Usman Danfodio
It came to many as a rude shock and disbelief that Umar Bago, a member representing Chanchaga/Bosso federal constituency emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship elections in Niger state.
This is not because he's not qualified as a Nigerlite but because of the danger his nomination poses to the prevailing peaceful political atmosphere in the state which is premised on the strict adherence to age long zoning arrangements in the state.
In 1999 for example, leaders across the power state agreed that, in order to ensure peace and stability of the state, political positions should be zoned in such a manner that all sections of the state are given a sense of belonging. This arrangement produced Engr. Abdulkadir Kure from Lapai in Zone 'A' and Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu from Suleja axis zone C while the then speaker of the state House of Assembly was produced by zone B (Kagara Emirate) in addition to federal ministerial position.
The trend continued in 2007 when Kure/Zagbayi finished there too term in office and the position of the governor and deputy was zoned to zones C and B respectively which produced Muazu/Ibeto ticket with zone A producing the speaker and federal ministerial appointment. It should be noted that Muazu Babangida Aliyu (in place of late Bala Gunna who originally won the ticket), from Minna took the turn of zone C as the governor clearly because Suleja Emirate has enjoyed the deputy governorship position represented by Zagbayi which was as a result of micro zoning, fairness and justice.
The practice continued without any obstruction which produced the current governor Sani Bello from zone B (Kontagora Emirate) and Ahmed Ketso zone A from Mokwa LG. It should be taken into cognisance that Kontagora Emirate produced the current governor in order to ensure fairness and justice as the Emirate has neither enjoyed the position of the governor nor the deputy.
In 2023 however, it will amount to great injustice and political provocation to micro zone the position of the state governor to Lapai again after they have had their shot at the government house in 1999-2007.
Both candidates that came first and second in APC primaries have dual states citizenship from North West and both cannot speak the Nupe language.
The two were Hausa/Fulani stooges who doesn't mean well for the Nupe Race!
A word is enough for the wise!
DANIEL NDARAKE writes from Ilorin