Dr Umar Duhu an APC stalwart in Adamawa state needs no introduction in the Nigerian politics; he held many positions and was among the founding fathers of the ruling APC- the party which he held sway as acting national vice chairman ,north east. In telling truth, Duhu can call a spade a spade no matter whose ox is gored! In this exclusive interview with Ibrahim Abdul’ Aziz, Dr Umar Duhu said it all on APC lingering crisis at national and Adamawa state level, Sanusi’s dethronement, Governor Fintiri’s award; Babachur salvos and other sundry issues.
The excerpt:
Sir,with the recent intrigues and hullabaloos many are now arguing that your party, APC is a dying horse both nationally and even in your state Adamawa. How do you see to it?
Res: Let me emphatically tell Nigerians that, APC has rather come out stronger than cynics ever expected. Mr. President has indeed, shown leadership by stepping in when it was needed and the entire leadership of the party and members rallied behind him for peace and stability.
Despite the hullabaloo over the position of the National Chairman which is in the courts and public doormen, Mr. President’s intervention was timely and has further given the party proper direction and tensions has died down. What is expected of H.E Comr. Adam Oshiomole is to be all inclusive in running the party. He should note also, party politics differs greatly from Unionism and Executive positions.
In politics, one is dealing with peoples of diverse interests of lettered and unlettered and a leader must dissect between all the variables to give all some sense of belonging. This goes to suggest that, the National Chairman must have some advisers consisting of persons who are adjudged above board and versatile in party politics from all shades of opinions, to periodically give him feedbacks from across the states and suggest ways forward.
But some elements are now hell bent in seeing the ousting of Oshiomole, why is it so?
Those agitating for National Chairman’s ouster have their reasons, so also those against. But, I expect the National Chairman to gather intelligence from both pros and cons to choose and alternative course of action and embrace dynamism in his style of leadership for the great APC.
As I said earlier, the President’s intervention has brought scour and as a mark of honour for Mr. President, the agitators had sheaths their sword and the party is enjoying relative peace at the moment. It is our prayers that, all members must embrace the ongoing peace and reconciliation as the panacea for consolidation for our great Party.
Are you aware of any cat and mouse politics being played ahead of 2023?
Well, I do not agree entirely that the brouhaha in the APC was all about 2023 politics. Who amongst all these proponents and those at the center of the storm might not live to see 2023? Power is from God the Almighty and only He knows who will be alive in 2023 and only He will choose who will govern over us in 2023.
Some people complaint of style of leadership and grand standing. The National Chairman has taken note of all grievances and as leader from both private and public sector background; he knows exactly what to do to win back the hearts of most of them to reason along.
Former emir of Kano,Sanusi Lamido Sanusi after his removal and dethronement already many are urging him to join the murky water of politics and even join a political party. Do you see good fortune in Sanusi venturing into politics?
Every leader in their own rights are politicians. They adopt political strategies in dealing with issues as it affects them. Prior to the enthronement and dethronement, His Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been an accidental politician. Maybe, what they are saying now is to contest for an elective position, where the entire Nigerian State or Kano Peoples will vote for him. He has the right to vie for any position of his choice and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 As Amended.
I wish His Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the best of luck in any of his chosen endeavor. The coast is clear and he can choose any political party of choice to actualize his ambition if he so desires.
Your party APC was defeated gallantly in Adamawa what do you think is responsible? Could that not be seen as dying horse?
My party the APC did not lose election during the 2019 polls in Adamawa State. What actually happened was a gang up against the governor by some members of the party. These are people who never meant well for the party and the State. Even with their antics, the APC won both Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in Adamawa State but, in their caput with the electoral body and other agencies, the two results were changed in favour of the opposition party. The court also affirmed their illegal victory.
It is all history now and as a party and respecters of the Will of God the Almighty, we have chosen to move on, tomorrow is certainly another day. But, for anyone to speculate that, the great APC is a dying horse is indeed, laughable. I cannot on print medium tell you what the strength of our party is.
We are stronger and ever resolute to bounce and win back what we lost through in fighting. We have reconciled and focused with the resolve to win all elections organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It is only then that you will give yourself the right answer to your question.
So as you rightly observed that there were friction and cracks in the party in Adamawa, what measures are you putting to mend the fences?
I know you are aware that, the APC in Adamawa State and Nationally had set up reconciliation committees. In this regard, the Adamawa APC swung into action and interfaced with all critical actors and a resolution reached. I can confidently say, the APC Adamawa State has reconciled with majority of the critical actors and it must also be noted that, reconciliation is a process, so it’s ongoing and the reports of the Committee shall be in phases and until then, no member of the party in Adamawa State should complain of exclusion.
But Babachur recently fired salvos in the respect of the reconciliation move how will you react to his comments?
It is preposterous for Mr. Babachir David Lawal to make any derogative statement against the party in Adamawa State. If Babachir and his cohorts are never grateful to the APC, certainly, they will not make any derogative statements against it. It is on record, the APC made Babachir who he is today. APC made him its National Vice Chairman North East through controversial circumstance. APC made him the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and was later disgraced out of office, after scoring just Six (6) votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in his polling unit. APC is still where he gets patronages.
But, what did he give back to the Party that made him and his cohorts? They ensured the defeat of APC at both Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in Adamawa State out of wickedness and blackmail.
If there is one thing that I will fault the National Leadership and the State Chapter of the Party in Adamawa State of their complaisance for not handing down appropriate sanctions on erring members like Babachir and his cohort, in line with “Article 21 (A & B) of the APC Constitution 2014 As Amended”. Once discipline is not instilled in the Party, members like Babachir can commit treacherous offenses against the party and continue playing the Ostrich.
His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri , I mean your arch political rival whom you all hailed from same area in Adamawa, was honored with an award by leadership newspaper, how did you feel, do you think he deserved it?
Governor Fintiri is and will never be my political arch rival. There was never a time in my life that I had ever contested any position with Fintiri and I pray such a day might not suffice in our lives. As usual, PDP contested against the APC at the 2019 Polls. Our treacherous members decided to bite the fingers that feed them and worked for the opposition PDP that is in power in the Adamawa today. I expect that, instead of spitting venom on the APC, they had rather go to their new found love party (PDP) and demand for recognition, accommodation and compensation.
I have not been to Adamawa in the past three (3) Months and cannot speak for certainty on any developmental strides of the Fintiri led government, if any? But, one thing is certain, Governor Bindow had achieved significantly in the first three (3) months in office far better than this government. If we are to compare the two on a scale of 1 -10, Governor Bindow has ‘9’ ahead of the Fintiri government with just ‘1’.
This brings to question, what the publisher of Leadership newspaper intends to achieve by honouring those who in the eyes of the public, do not merit any award and their acclaimed performances would be ridiculed.
So, how can you asses Fintiri performance with comparison with that of Bindo in areas of development?
it is just about a year since this government in Adamawa came into effect and I still maintain, if we are to compare the Fintiri and Bindow government one year after swearing in, I still maintain, on a scale of 1 -10, Governor Bindow has ‘9’ ahead of the Fintiri government with just ‘1’.
Is true that you have reconcile with Fintiri and why?
What do you mean? I do not hold any personal grudge against Fintiri and I pray we do not have any. I am a firm believer in the Will of God the Almighty and that is what has aided my progression in life. The roles fintiri played when I contested in 2015, where what the almighty Willed and I hold no grudge him and against anyone. Power is from the Almighty and I have since moved on with my life.
The only thing standing between us now is that, we are politically divided. I am APC and he is PDP, period!
In the recent times there have been incessant Boko Haram attacks and Kidnappings with many attributing it to ineptitude and seat tight syndrome by current service chiefs supported by the APC led government under Buhari. What is your take?
I totally dis agree with you on your assertions. Before 2015, some territories were annexed by the dreaded Boko Haram. Families massacred and randomly displaced. Today, we have achieved relative peace and our peoples are back to the enclaves and cultivating their farms lands.
Some of the pockets of criminality you see around are more political than the real sense of it. Security should be a collective resolve by the citizenry. You do not expect President Buhari and the Service Chiefs to be all over the place when we have all abdicated our responsibilities. When the citizenry is proactive to volunteer information on and about the movement of miscreants, I believe the security agents will do their jobs and nip their excesses in the bud.
President Buhari GCFR as a retired General, has a reason why he is still keeping the Service Chiefs. My expectation from Nigerians is to support them until results are achieved. We must not allow politics divide us so that we can collectively fight corruption and insecurity to a standstill.
Thank you for having your time despite tight schedule…
Please don’t mind, I also appreciate you.
Attachments area
- Federal Government To Revive Adults, Almajiris Education - September 24, 2023
- Fraud : Pastor Deceived Me to Sell My Only House, Jilted Evangelist Tells Yola Court - February 5, 2021
- 2023 : Nigerians Will Vote Out APC – Gov Wike - February 4, 2021
