By Hon Aminu Isa Jada
OBVIOUSLY, Nigerian political landscape has not gotten to Eldorado but somethings have moved away from where we started in 1999. If one thing at all, the political consciousness of the electorates has increased. It is no longer cheap for any politician to hoodwink the electorates as the case was two decades ago when Nigeria returned to democracy.
Though it remains debateable if Nigeria’s development is in consonance with the number of billions spent so far, but one thing is sure that we are moving forward slowly but surely. More than before, the awareness social media had created in the last one decade has put politicians and political leaders on their toes to either perform or lose the next election.
One astute politician this piece focuses is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Adamawa South Senarotial District, Engr Adamu Ismaila Numan – A visionary leader, grassroot politician and lover of Adamawa and its people. Some described him as a “fountain of Adamawa’s peace and progress”.
For the people of Numan, Lamurde, Demsa, Guyuk, Shelleng, Mayo- Balwa, Jada, Ganye and Toungo, to have such an outstanding gentleman vying to serve, is nothing but a blessing from the Almighty. Numan is a politician whose compassion and love for his people is clear in every of his actions as a person, as a politician and as a govt official in FCDA.
Numan’s journey into politics is an interesting story, unlike most politicians who come out to contest, this man was dragged by his people into the political race, and it was his sheer desire to serve, evident in everything he does, that got him to accept, albeit reluctantly.
Some analysts and historians see politics as a dirty game. This is as a result of the blackmail and betrayal of political opponents and other negative activities of politicians. The activities of this category of people therefore make politics a dirty game. These are the kind of politicians fighting the will of people today, but there are a few exceptions and Numan is one of such exceptions.
Numan is in the category of people who are true progressives, decent people who are in politics to improve the lives of their people. They are not in politics to make money and do not see it as a do or die affair. They are selfless, humane and have nothing but the interest of the people at heart. Numan is such politician.
For a man that has given so much for Adamawa state and the good people of the state, it will be utterly unfair that anybody in his constituency will deny others a chance to see maximum representation in the red chamber from this illustrious son of Numan.
I repeat, Numan is in politics to serve Allah and humanity. How is that possible in our environment you may ask? Well, the answer is in both his antecedents and precedents. With him, politics is not a dirty game, those who play it unwholesomely are. And he has shown that in his character and campaigns.
For over three decades, Numan has continuously serve the good people of Adamawa with his hard earned money. He has built schools, hospitals, vocational centres and provided help for local security outlets, as well as lots and lots of women and youth empowerments and social and family donations to hundreds of families in Adamawa state.
A full page of a newspaper won’t be enough to highlight how much Numan has contributed to the development of Adamawa and Adamawa people but it is our prayers that Numan gets the chance to continue to deliver the good of democracy in the Senate come 25 February.
Anybody who knows Numan knows that, this is a man whose love for his people and desire to serve is bigger than politics and his kindness, generosity and compassion goes beyond being a statesman – if ever there is an Olympic event for being a gentlemen, Numan will definitely win the gold.
Foremost American leader, Douglas MacArthur, once said; “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
Nothing fits the above quote from Douglas MacArthur, like the leadership qualities of Engr Numan.
Jada wrote in from Abuja.