By Dada Ahmed.
The new executive members during oath taking.
The election that ushered in the new brand executive members of the ABU Alumni Association, Kogi state branch on November 26, 2023, has come and gone. However many members of the association, particularly those who witnessed the event, described the exercise as unique in the political history of Nigeria.
They urged that to that effect, it should serve as a food for thought for politicians in Nigeria, kogi state inclusive.
The new exco members in group picture with other members of the association.
Those who believe in this school of thought argued that the advice has become imperative, given the nature of politics being played in Nigeria which leaves much to be desired.
Accredited voters in a peaceful and orderly line, waiting for their turn to cast their vote.
In a country such as Nigeria, where virtually every election is characterized by violent, in extreme cases, bloodletting, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties, it is almost becoming unthinkable for any discerning mind to believe that an election can be conducted fairly, freely, creditably and peacefully and under a seamless process in the country.
Members of the new exco with the electoral committee members as well as the secretary general( world wide),ABU Alumni Association,Dr.Danjuma Mahmu in the middle of the group picture.
The ABUSITES in Kogi state, as are they fondly called in the comity of University graduates in Nigeria, made the impossible possible as they conducted an election that has gone down in the history of political process of Nigeria as the freest, highly credible, transparent, and above all, most peaceful in living memory of political crisis in the state.
The Chairman,Electoral Committee,Alhaji Adama Yahaya,(left) and the Secretary General(World Wide),ABU Alumni Association,Dr.Danjuma Mahmud,who represents the President General of the Association,Mal.Adamu Mamman Kontagora at the occasion.
On the day in question, members of ABU Alumni Association put aside their differences in tribe, tongue tradition, culture, religion, and politics among other divisive expressions, and converged in unison and in large number at the NBA Secretariat, Lokoja to elect the leaders that will pilot the affairs of their association for the next two years.
Right from the beginning of the processes leading to the election, members did not mince words in their avowed determination to change the narrative of political crisis in action.
Mal. Usman Ogbo,a member of the electoral committee, counting votes loud and clear to members.
This they did by putting in place a committee, headed by Alhaji Adama Yahaya and other members to organize the election.
Members of the electoral committee were on top of their game by being prompt in galvanizing all efforts to make sure the election becomes a success story.
Electoral materials were not only adequate but were delivered on time for the exercise to take place as scheduled and accreditation of the electorate commenced on time.
Alhaji Usman Ogbo, a member of the committee, was articulate and firm in accrediting the electorate and once he satisfied an electorate for the exercise, he gave him or her duly signed voting paper to cast a vote for the candidate of their choice.Other members were not lagging in carrying assigned responsibilities for the overall success of the election.
Former Deputy President of the association,north central Nigeria,Dr. Abdul Denja,advising the new exco and members on the way forward.
Dr. Abdul and Ahmed Tijani stressed the need for synergy between the exco and members,especially by attending meeting regularly and offering pieces of advice for the leaders to move association to the next level of development.
Part of the criteria for the eligibility to vote is the presentation of an ABU degree or any other certification of the institution,obtained by the electorate as well as payment of the annual due. All done with precision and absolute dedication to the cause of ensuring a credible, fair, and peaceful poll.
Unlike the larger political activities, the event before, during after the election was devoid of voter inducement while the candidates were busy exchanging pleasantries.
Security was effectively managed by personnel of a private company to ensure law and order.
L-R: Alhaji Babanagari Suleiman, Engr.Mohmmed Sagir,the chairman of the association, and Mal.Garba Barko. The trio snapped the picture after Bako voluntarily stepped down for Sagir.
Only two positions; chairman and secretary office were slated by the electoral committee for the contest as other positions were unopposed.
As the election gathered momentum and the electorate warmed to elect their chairman and secretary, one of the contestants for the chairmanship position, Mal. Garba Bako voluntarily stepped down for his co-contestant, Engr.Mohammed Sagir.
This, therefore, paved the way for Sagir to join the league of other officers elected unopposed.
Invariably, Bako got a loud ovation from the electorate for his political maturity, blended with understanding in tune political alignment and realignment leading to the conduct of the election. The ovation did not end there as Engr. Sagir moved close to Bako, embraced him warmly, and thanked him immensely for showing understanding and displaying a good spirit of sportsmanship in leadership.
With that settled, the electorate commenced voting to elect a secretary in a peaceful and orderly manner, thus easing the job of stern-looking private security personnel detailed to keep peace at the event.
Within an hour, the election came to an end and the job of counting votes began.
At the end of vote counting, the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Adama Yahaya, in the full glare of members, announced Mal. Aminu Yahaya Maihakuri, as the winner, having scored 64 votes to defeat Mal. Saidu Mohammed, who got 18 votes. The chairman announced the results in the presence of the agents of the two contestants and they all agreed that the election was fair, credible, and acceptable by them and their respective candidate.
Again, shortly after the announcement of the results, the winner and loser were seen shaking hands in an atmosphere of conviviality, indicating the spirit of good sportsmanship.
Perhaps, an important point not common in Nigerian politics but reared its good head during the voting needs to be mentioned at this juncture.
The chairman of the electoral committee, while giving an analysis of the results, sent tongues wagging in jubilation when he disclosed that no ambiguity or over voting during the election.
According to him, the committee recorded a total of
83 members were cleared to vote, adding that the number tallied with the total number of those who cast their votes. This is very rare in Nigerian politics.
Still in the spirit of good sportsmanship and appreciation for personal sacrifice made by Hon.Bako by stepping down for Sagir,a member of the association, Dr.Abdulrahman Dangana moved a motion that the position of Vice Chairman, which was vacant, be given to Garba Boko.This is to appreciate him for his voluntary withdrawal from contesting the chairmanship office,
Another member, Alhaji Baba Nagari Suleiman, the Jarman Panda, seconded the motion and Bako became the vice chairman of the association through adoption method.
Reacting to the exercise, the Secretary-General, (World-Wide), of ABU Alumni Association, Dr. Danjuma Mahud, expressed delight over the out come of the election, describing it as the most peaceful and most transparent in the annals of the election in the state.
He called on politicians to learn from the exercise by imbibing the spirit of rancor-free, transparent, credible, fair, and most importantly, peaceful election.
In his MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION, Danjuma. appreciated members for their prayers, kind words, and good wishes, before and after the election, adding that the media, was agog with the news of the election in a positive light.
Danjuma notes:” Votes counted equal the number of voters accredited.
“Election held under peaceful and friendly atmosphere. A further attestation is that, we are indeed naturally ahead. Apparently referring to ABU graduates.
“It is our sincere hope that upcoming elections in the branches will follow suit.
“As Abusites, we are a mirror to the world. We are indeed very grateful for the spirit of camaraderie shown.”
Following suit, the chairman of the Association,expressed deep and sincere appreciation to all members for a successful and peaceful election.
He said” I must mention particularly the caretaker committee members and the electoral committee, it’s great, I can’t forget today in a hurry.
“Great Abusites, I thank you for the confidence reposed.
“My co-contestant, I say a big thank you for your understanding and equally seek more cooperation, understanding, and contribution towards piloting the affairs of the great ABU Alumni from all, we shall achieve our dream.”
The highly elated chairman of the association, Engr. Sagir, also thanked members for reposing confidence in the new exco and promised that his administration would not betray them.
He also promised that members of the new exco would strive hard to deliver on their promises, to move the association to the next level of realistic development.
At the end of about five hours of exercise, delving into the processes of electing their leaders, members of the association breezed out of the NBA Secretariat with a high sense of fulfilment and pride, that they conducted election where nobody sustain injury and no property destroyed.
They beat their chest for organizing an election that eclipsed other elections in terms of credibility, fairness, and peace, within and before the shores in kogi state and Nigeria at large.
In all, It is on the record that members of ABU Alumni Association, Kogi state branch, have blazed the trail in the history of elections in Nigeria by conducting their election without any element of violence, or police called to shoot trouble, or arrest any member for questioning.
This is a food for thought for members of the Nigerian political class because they owe the country a patriotic duty to learn from the elections of other segments of the society, make them a case study and blend them into their electioneering processes and methodologies for to ensure a nationally acceptable election.
This will go along way to place Nigeria on a platform of a credible, fair, acceptable, and peaceful election, a development that has continued to elude the Nigerian political climate for many decades now.
It is instructive to note that for every election to be adjudged to be acceptable, it must possess the above qualities found in the election conducted by members of the association referred to in this piece.
It becomes necessary, therefore, for the politicians to pick one or two lessons for the ABU Alumni Association, Kogi state branch while hands must be on the deck to amend the leaking roof of the political house of the country.
The salient message members of the association avail Nigerian politicians and their colleagues,elsewhere in other parts of the world is that politicians must place the interest of their country above personal interest.
They must also redefine their internal democracy to give room for accommodation of various opinions and eschew crisis When these conditions are adhere to, there will be peace and meaningful development all naturally evolve.
With that, the process of laying a solid foundation for the social, economic, and political growth and development of Nigeria would have begun, especially for the general good of the Nigerian masses.
It gladdens many hearts to note that,members of the ABU Alumni Association, kogi stat branch, conducted their election with any devoid of the need to approach Election Tribunal, Appeal Court or Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the following members of the executive council of the branch of the association have been saddled with the responsibility of piloting its affairs for the next two years.
Members of the new exco thereafter took their oath of office, conducted by a member, Barr. Saiyali Ebaiya and assumed leadership with immediate effect.
The new Branch Executive Committee members are:
Engr. Abdulsalam Sagir – Chairman,
Hon. Garba Bako – Vice Chairman,
Yahaya Aminu Maihakuri – Secretary,
Abdulrahman B. Suleiman – Assistant Secretary,
Abubakar Nana Fatima- Financial Secretary and
Alhaji Dada U. Ahmed – Publicity/Social Welfare.
Ahmed is the Publicity/Social Welfare, ABU Alumni Association, Kogi state branch.
