After intense pressure on him by stakeholders from the three senatorial
zones of Nasarawa state to contest the 2019 governorship election, former
Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, has decided
to throw his hat in the ring.
But Maikasuwa, an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and
Strategic Studies (NIPPS) and currently a lecturer in the Department of
Public Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has saddled those
who called on him to contest to recommend the political party platform of
their choice on which he should contest.
In three separate letters to the political associations and pressure
groups that aggregated the positions of the voting youth population in
Nasarawa south zone, Keffi zone and Nasarawa west, Maikasuwa said he was
grateful for the confidence they reposed in him and prayed for the
protection and guidance of the Almighty God in this noble societal
endeavour.
The Coalition for Good Governance and Civil Participation from the
southern zone of the state in a letter dated January 13, 2018 titled: A
call to serve, and signed by its team leader, Ubandoma Abdullahi, said
Maikasuwas achievements as Clerk to the National Assembly, his wealth of
experience and personal disposition as a man of integrity were his unique
selling points.
The group resolved that Maikasuwa is a worthy person capable of continuing
and consolidating on the development strides of the current government
under the leadership of Governor Tanko Al-Makura.
In its endorsement of his capacity for governance, Nasarawa Youth
Mobilisation for Good Governance said in its letter dated January 27, 2018
that Maikasuwa was considered suitable on the bases of his exemplary
profile, leadership style, experience, service to the people, community
achievements in Keffi zone, stewardship as Clerk to the National Assembly
and passion for youth development and empowerment.
According to the letter jointly signed by the chairman, Donald Gwado Moshi
and Secretary, Muktar Ahmed Keffi, the group said it desired that
Maikasuwa should bring his wealth of wisdom, knowledge and ideas to bear
in the educational and bureaucratic subsectors of the states economy.
We believe that when you eventually emerge as the governor of our dear
state, you will not hesitate to practically translate your passion for the
youths into a formidable and sustainable youth empowerment, and to bring
prosperity, dividends of democracy and good governance to our dear state,
the group stated.
Nasarawa West Zone Coalition for Credible Leadership, in a letter dated
February 16, 2018 and signed by its chairman, Mustapha Mahmood Usman, said
the clarion call on Maikasuwa to serve the state was based on the belief
in his distinctive leadership qualities.
The group noted that Maikasuwa, as a lecturer, is a role model to many
students and the youths in general, that as an administrator, he is a
seasoned bureaucrat and that as a philanthropist, he has provided succor
to the helpless and uplifted many poor people from the shackles of
poverty.
Besides, the group described him as a father and traditional title holder
(Ciroman Keffi) who serves as a custodian of traditional values, adding
that he is a character molder, trainer, moral guide, adviser to the
youth, and many more.
There are indications that some influential political leaders across the
state are working quietly to build a statewide consensus around the
aspiration of Maikasuwa, believing that he has the capacity to further
galvanise the peoples confidence in the commitment of government to the
social contract.