Real Reasons Bauchi Deputy Governor Resigned

Bauchi Deputy Governor, Nuhu Gidado recently resigned following irreconcilable differences with his boss, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, ‎writes Segun Awofadeji

In what came as the last ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ following irreconcilable political differences, Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mr Nuhu Gidado last Wednesday resigned with immediate effect .

THISDAY POLITICS ‎found that Gidado submitted his letter of resignation to the State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar late Wednesday night , citing “waning enthusiasm for the job” as reason for leaving.

Gidado’s resignation is seen by many political followers in the state as a major setback for the governor’s bid for a second term.

The deputy governor had previously threatened to resign from office in the past but was prevailed upon to remain. He had contested and lost the party gubernatorial primaries in 2015.

The letter containing Gidado’s resignation was submitted to the state governor on Wednesday, May 16, 2018,however, THISDAY learnt that Gidado threw in the towel because he was no longer comfortable with doing nothing.

According to several sources who are conversant with the deputy governor’s decision to throw in the towel, Gidado had lost the zeal to just show up at work only to spend the rest of the day reading newspapers; or wait to be told what to do by the governor.

The deputy governor, in his resignation letter, wrote: “Ordinarily, I should have remained up to the end of the tenure, but, with the currently dampened spirit and waning zeal as it relates to my official engagements, my continued stay will not be fair and truthful to you as my brother and leader.”

He declared that he had lost interest in the job and extended his appreciation to the people of the state for giving him the opportunity to serve.

Even though unconfirmed, our sources also disclosed that Gidado had fallen out with Abubakar over irreconcilable differences a long time ago but held on thinking things would change for better.
The shocking move taken by Gidado, has further depleted the camp and chances of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State considering the fact that a number of high-ranking officials have since dumped the cabinet of the governor in the past following political differences that could not be resolved.

Sometimes in 2017, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Shehu Barau Ningi, resigned from his position because according to him, “the governor did not encourage members of his cabinet to offer advice on how to run the state”.

The governor ran the affairs of the state for a very long time after sacking his cabinet.

Ningi, while briefing news men on the reason why he resigned his appointment explained that, “ the environment in which I would have exercised my advisory role as member of the State Executive Council was unaccommodating, debilitating and unfriendly”.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Samaila Sanusi, as well as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Scheduling, Ibrahim Tahir Ibrahim resigned due to what they described as, “unfriendly working environment” saying that all avenues to hold talks with the governor on official issues and development were unsuccessful.

It appears there is a plot to isolate the governor as the 2019 general election draws closer.
Amidst these resignations, the governor has been facing stiff political opposition from chieftains of his own party, the APC. Right from the beginning of his administration, the governor has been battling with opposition from members of the National Assembly from Bauchi due to what has been described as his political style of leadership which excludes them from the leadership in the state.

This became so glaring when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara led a faction of the APC to boycot the congresses of the party held earlier in the month and even went ahead to institute a suit against the party in a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the nullification of the exercise.

Meanwhile, the governor, said he had accepted the resignation of his deputy and wished him well in his future endeavours.

He described his tenure and service to the state as meritorious and therefore, deserving commendation.

According to a press release by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Ali. M Ali, the governor particularly commended the former deputy governor of the state for the remarkable manner of his resignation.

He expressed optimism that he would avail his vast wealth of experience to the state anytime he was called upon in the future. “We received the resignation of our Deputy Governor, Engr. Nuhu Gidado. On behalf of the people of Bauchi state, I want to thank him for his meritorious service while in office.

“He remains vital to our administration and party. I wish him well in his future endeavours, and he can count on me for support. I am also optimistic he will avail the state his service when called upon in the future” .

Nuhu Gidado, born on the 5th of October, 1958 is one of the children of late Waziri of Jama’are in Bauchi State who died recently. Coming from a humble and yet royal background, Gidado has had his career finely sculptured by the best of institutions, especially, the famous and prestigious Barewa College Zaria where he obtained his oridnary level certifiate and the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Building Engineering.

Gidado was appointed and, proudly, holds the prestigious Traditional titles of the Sardauna of Jama’are in Bauchi State and Olotu Aare of Laje Land in Ondo State.

Like the late Premier of the erstwhile Northern Region of Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello and particularly, his self acknowledged role model, the late renowned nationalist, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, both of blessed memory, Gidado is an embodiment of altruism. He lives a modest and low profile life style, one that is devoid of riches and flamboyance. He sacrifices everything for the less privileged.

Gidado is considered as a silent but gallant fighter, a leader of a movement that is out to institute social justice, empowerment of his people, a beacon of hope for the hopeless, a shining light for the masses and finally, a true player in the fight for a new Nigeria.

Buoyed by‎ his humble beginning, Gidado lives a life of service to his people.

He shares what he has with his people. A humanist, Gidado has helped several needy pupils and students with sponsorship in education. Although he started his philantrophic works informally, he has since established a non for profit organisation called the Nuhu Gidado Organisation which has formally taken on the social services he was rendering to the society.

It was this selfless service that has endeared him to the people. He is a grassroots man who enjoys the support of the poor. His people believe in him.‎

The people of his home state, Bauchi, having discovered his very compassionate nature and his philanthropy as well as his rarely enigmatic and yes, very magnetic personality, were quick to nickname him “Zuciyar Talakawa” in hausa, meaning, the “heart of the masses” and, surely, they call on him at all times.

His home is always a behive activities and a place where all thronged to seek succour. It was not by sheer coincidence therefore, when in 2011, Nuhu Gidado heeded the calls of his followership and decided to plunge into partisan politics when he contested for the governorship of his state under the CPC. But it was not to be.

As 2019 draws closer, many expect Gidado to make his moves but for now, the former deputy governor is bidding his time.

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It appears there is a plot to isolate the governor as the 2019 general election draws closer