When I returned from a remarkable high-sea experience to my base in Abuja, I thought I would finally have time to ensconce myself. Unbeknownst to me a three-state trip lay ahead, courtesy of the National Chairman, Turaki SAN.
Looking back on those visits, I find themes, patterns, and threads that cannot be dismissed as coincidence. From Yola, to Ibadan, to Bauchi, I witnessed from the front seat, history, culture, and politics at play.
In Yola, upon arrival at the airport, we were conveyed to Government House, where we met the Governor and other notable Nigerians, including the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Bishop Matthew Kukah, among others. From there, we proceeded to the launch of the book Fintiri: The Man They Could Not Stop, written to chronicle events surrounding the contentious 2023 Governorship election in Adamawa State.
The event was well attended, and the rich cultural heritage of the various communities in the state was on full display, to the admiration of guests. Yet, strikingly, the book launch also served as a theatre of politic(both seen and unseen). Governor Fintiri is in his final term, and the politics of succession was so thick in the air one could cut through it with a knife. What was most intriguing was that it defied party lines; aspirants across party divides competed openly for the Governor’s attention.
From Yola, we flew straight to Ibadan, where we were ambushed by a large crowd of party supporters who turned out to receive us at the airport. We were invited by the affable Governor, Oluseyi Makinde, to participate in activities marking the golden jubilee of the creation of Oyo State.
From the airport, to the inauguration of the State PDP Secretariat, and on to the dinner and awards night, politics hung in the air like a strong perfume. History and culture blended inseparably, like coffee and creamer, particularly at the dinner. All former Governors of the state (military and civilian)were celebrated. They all honoured the invitation, those who had passed on were represented by family members. History was not only remembered; it was actively celebrated.
Evangelist Ebenezer Obey performed live, and it was a spectacle to behold. Though old and frail, his voice and mind remained strong enough to lift people off their seats. Earlier, we had also witnessed a thrilling air show-displays more commonly used in celebrations in the Global North. The acrobatic manoeuvres kept everyone gazing skyward for nearly an hour; I suspect many suffered neck pain thereafter.
I returned to Abuja midweek, hopeful that the remainder of the week would be restful. That hope was short-lived. Ibrahim, my friend and senior comrade, who is the Principal Private Secretary to the National Chairman, informed me that another trip, to Bauchi, was in the offing.
Bauchi, too, was celebrating its golden jubilee, under the leadership of the irrepressible Bala Mohammed, the Kauran Bauchi and Chairman of our Party’s Governors’ Forum. Upon arrival, celebration filled the air. The mood was jubilant and the people wore smiles like garments of honour.
We attended a lecture at the International Conference Centre delivered by elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed. He traced the history of the state, which produced Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and offered strategic propositions for the state’s future.
Thereafter, we were treated to a durbar-a cultural cynosure of inexplicable allure. Dancers, horses, riders, drummers, shooters, even hyenas (yes, hyenas), and the Emir’s procession blended into a tapestry of exhilarating sights and sounds. The day concluded with a dinner and awards night, where, as in Oyo State, former Governors and other eminent personalities were honoured.
Throughout the Bauchi events, politics walked on all fours. Governor Bala, as we fondly call him, is in his final term, and succession politics naturally found its way into the celebrations. Former Governor Adamu Mu’azu even voiced it openly, asking that those aspiring to succeed the Governor must commit to continuity, not disruption. He commended the Governor for building over 1,000 health centres and investing massively in education and other critical infrastructure.
Beyond the seamless fusion of history, culture, and politics, I was pleasantly surprised by the presence of a large diplomatic contingent (17 Ambassadors and several other diplomatic staff)at all the events, despite being outside Abuja. On inquiry, I found out that the Governor had deliberately cultivated strong relationships within the diplomatic community, relationships that proved beneficial during his administration. Foreign support followed, and exogenous investors began looking in Bauchi’s direction. A smart move, by any measure.
After a long and exhausting day that ended just before midnight, I accompanied the National Chairman to his lodge. As we reflected on the day’s events, the door suddenly opened, and guess who walked in, the Governor himself. A visibly surprised Turaki SAN asked, “Haba, Kauran, are you not tired? I thought you would be asleep by now.”
Governor Bala smiled and replied, “Noooooo. I need to personally thank everyone who came. These days, if people show up for your event, especially when it is not in Lagos or Abuja, it means they care. One should never take that for granted.Nagwode Chairman for coming with our party leaders.” He stayed briefly, then departed for his lodge.
While on board back to Abuja, my mind wandered over the week’s events. While still reflecting, I reached for my phone and began typing what you have just read. I do not know where the next destination will be, but wherever it is, my understanding of our country, people, culture, and politics, will surely deepen in ways no classroom ever could have delivered.
This is indeed my best example of experiential learning-the type that my brother Borono Bassey has advocated in preference to the current classroom-taught pattern. The only difference is that there is no certificate to show for the learning, except the confidence that knowledge confers.
Indeed, it was a week of history, culture, and politics.