Adamawa North Senatorial District: Why the Cap fits Ex-Governor Nggilari

By Modibbo Alfa

Now that the former Governor of Adamawa state, Barrister Bala James Nggilari has picked the nomination and declaration of interest forms, the question remains what is the next line of action?

Available record shows that in 2003, he was elected as house of representatives member for Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawa State.

During that time, Barr. Nggilari served as Deputy Chairman, Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes, Deputy Chairman, Committee on Justice, Member, Revenue Allocation Committee, Member, Constitution Review Committee and many others.

After having a successful four year tenure of satisfactory representation of his people, Nggilari won primaries of his party to contest for a second term but was called upon by the elders and stakeholders of his party in the State to take up the Deputy Governorship position as part of strategy of ensuring the success of the party in the 2007 general elections.This he did and the party won elections and he became the Deputy Governor.

While serving as Deputy Governor, he was nicknamed “Damo Sarkin Hakuri” by praise singers, simply translated to mean “King of Patience” because of his humility and peaceful character.

A source confided that Nggilari who had served Adamawa meritoriously as governor for good seven months has remained loyal to his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) which prompted stakeholders, youths and women group to agitate for his Senatorial ambition.

The source said that the people of Adamawa North Senatorial District are yearning competent person as Senator and have seen in the former governor, the messiahship that can bring them positive and purposeful representation capable of impacting positively in their lives.

The Ex-Adamawa Governor who is aspiring to become the Senator for Adamawa North recently joined the bandwagon of aspirants seeking to represent Adamwa North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.

“I have picked my declaration of interest and nomination forms today to contest for the seat of the Senator representing Adamawa state Northern Senatorial zone in the forthcoming elections”, those were the words of Barr. Nggilari in total submission and loyalty to his people.

In his usual characteristic of always been with his people, Barr. Nggilari said, “the vision is clearer and the mission is to bring Selfless, Accountable and purposeful/people driven representation home”.

Barrister Bala James Nggilari to succeed his principal, the then Governor Murtala Nyako, a retired Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy who he was deputizing after been impeached by the state assembly and was able to record tremendous successes after taking over from Nyako.

There is no iota of doubt that notable among the numerous achievements recorded in just Seven months of assumption of office as Governor can never be forgotten in history.

It may not be out of place to say that his ability to reclaim some local governments in the state that were hitherto, in custody of Boko Haram insurgents is among his indelible marks that is making youths, women and other stakeholders to agitate for his return to serve them once again, and this time around, as Senator.

Nggilari became Governor of Adamawa State in 2014 by divine providence at the most challenging time the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents had threatened to take over Yola, the State capital after they had successfully captured seven local government areas of the State.

He immediately came up with the new concept of mobilizing and engaging ‘Yan Bakka (local Hunters) and the Vigilantes (Neighbourhood watch) to augment the Nigerian military and they were able to repelled them and reclaimed the affected local government areas.

The initiative which resulted to the recovery of the hitherto seven (7) lost Local Government Areas of Gombi, Hong, Maiha, Mubi South, Mubi North, Michika and Madagali can never be forgotten in the annals of history.

To help in achieving that historical feat, his administration ensured the procurement of 50 Hilux Vans for distribution to Hunters/Vigilante groups supporting the military in the fight against Boko Haram.

To ease the hardship of IDPs, the Ex-Governor procured adequate relief materials and assorted food items worth millions of Naira and distributed to the affected persons who were vulnerable.

Worthy of note, is his ability to ensure up to date payment of workers’ salaries with the exception of the month he left office – May, 2015. He was also able to settle the backlog of 2012 annual Leave Grant allowances to civil servants.

In order to boost water supply uninterrupted, the former Governor inaugurated a committee on township water rehabilitation for Jimeta and Yola towns on 10th November, 2014, the initiative recorded huge success with the establishment of Bekaji Pumping station in addition to adequate number of boreholes and in many other and villages towns across the state.

Apart from execution of projects in many sectors too numerous to mention, his administration ensured 100% completion of all projects awarded under UBE during his tenure to boost education in the state.

Although the former Governor is not the noise-making type of politicians that are fun of beating drums on every single achievement even if it means within their constitutional responsibility, but certainly, good things are always difficult to hide.

It is incumbent to stress that considering his versatility in politics and governance, Nggilari will no doubt be instrumental to the development of Adamawa state and Nigeria as a whole if elected as the Senator for Adamawa North Senatorial District.

Rt. Hon. Bala James Nggilari, former Governor of Adamawa State, whose peaceful disposition endears him to many, some school of thoughts believe is a material that shouldn’t be forgotten even though he has remained quite since his exit from Adamawa Government House.

Modibbo Alfa is a Public Affairs Commentator in Bauchi and can be reach through Wattsup Number: 07030320397