By Alkasim Abdulkadir
Politics, according to William Oslo, is a capricious commodity. To lead a vibrant society that is engulfed in a cesspool of neglect and leadership failure for decades, a strong leader is needed to make sure previous mistakes are not repeated. Looking at the key issues at stake in Kebbi State, Aminu Bande remains the best man who has what it takes to turn things around and get the state back on track with development.
As a retired general with decades of experience in conflict and management leadership, Aminu Bande is abreast of the existential crises that besiege Kebbi State. Major-General commissioned into the Nigerian Army of Infantry in 1986 as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Corps of Infantry. He attended a number of courses which Young Officers’ Infantry Course, Platoon Commanders’ Course, Company Commanders’ Course, and senior Executive course at NIPSS, Jos. Aminu Bande has served at various capacities in staff, instruction, and command appointments in his career, such as Platoon Commander 192 Battalion, Staff Officer Grade 2, Personnel Service Headquarters Infantry Corps and Center, Jaji, Instructor, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, and Staff Officer, Grade 1, Headquarters 2nd Division, Ibadan. Aminu Bande participated in various operations in and outside Nigeria such as Operation Pullo Shield, Operation Lafiya Dole, Harbin Kunama, North West, and Operation Hadarin DaJi ‘Sahel Sanity.’ These achievements show how ready Aminu Bande is in rebuilding Kebbi.
One area of concern in Kebbi is insecurity. A state that shares large land borders with Niger and Benin Republics, having secured borders and inter-border trades is vital to the prosperity of the residents. It is noteworthy that Kebbi State, just like other neighboring states, is reeling from the vicious circle of insecurity exacerbated by kidnappers and tribal warlords, and Aminu Bande who understands what is at stake at the moment is on a rescue mission to fix the problem of insecurity by tackling the centrifugal causes of the problem, paving the way for Kebbi to restore its peace and get the economy back on track.
A leader knows the way, leads the way, and follows the way. By attaching these attributes to Major General Aminu Bande (RTD), who is running under the People Democratic Party (PDP) to lead Kebbi State, it is superfluous to bandy words juxtaposing his capacity with other candidates who possess no track records to prove their mettle. The crux of the matter is, Aminu Bande is on a rescue mission. His popularity in every nook and cranny of Kebbi State is a testimony that people are aware of his vision for the state. They are aware of the mystery and lack of genuine policies that have cost the state so badly over the past eight years. People are tired and are in dire need of a savior to salvage the state from the shackle of rudderless leadership. They need a fresh hand under a different party as evidenced by the massive gain by the PDP in the just-concluded elections.
As an outsider, but an active player who monitors the razzmatazz of Kebbi State politics, one indication is people have answered the clarion call for change, knowing fully well that their voters’ cards matter more than any pecuniary inducement. The voters have proven their strength by rejecting the serving governor, Atiku Bagudu. They listen to what Aminu Bande has to offer in return for their votes and confidence in his leadership. Lucky for Nigeria, he is ours; luckier for the North, he is still ours; and luckiest for the residents of Kebbi State, he is theirs. The clear indication is Kebbi State is on the cusp of making history because they are about to bring in a man who understands their problem with comprehensive blueprints to kickstart reforms that are centered on practical steps to help the people and lift them out of the current economic hardship and stagnancy.
The vibrant young population of Kebbi State and people living in remote places especially rural areas will be carried along without leaving any community in the lurch. Skill acquisition programs and modern farming systems are an integral part of his policies to fight poverty and unemployment in Kebbi. There are thousands of people who are simply unemployed because their leaders have done little to arm them with digital skills and seed capital to fend for themselves. Kebbi under Aminu Bande will be different. His entire policy will revolve around helping the poor, improving their lives and making sure they are well educated, economically stable and socially peaceful enough to create a prosperous society. With Aminu Bande, everything is possible.
Long before his foray into politics, Aminu Bande never detached from his people. He supports people from all walks of life. He promotes the interests of his people. He listens to people when they are grappling with problems that are beyond their capability to solve, and he uses his vast network of connections to come to their rescue.
As people go to the polls for the second time in the next two weeks to elect their governors, Kebbi people will not regret voting for the right man. Aminu Bande is ready for the job.
