By Danlami Baban Takko
Bauchi people voted out former Governor Abubakar and brought Senator Bala Mohammed to power with the expection of a remarkable departure from the decadent status quo.
They accused the last administration of neglect and irresponsibility on matters of governance. In other words, Bauchi people had high expectations when they voted and still have.
Governor Bala Mohammed has so far started well by giving out contracts on roads and making some highly sensitive political appointments. Already, he has nominated commissioners and has appointed Special Advisers.
The appointments are a source of relief to supporters and party loyalists especially those who ‘helped bring the Government’ to power. Before the appointments were made, some had started grumbling and complaining, expressing fears and apprehension on whether they would be rewarded or not.
In a political situation such as this, problems are bound to arise since not all expectations could be met. Take the case of nomination of commissioners for example. Many are of the opinion that the youth were not carried along. Except for Nura Manu Soro, the rest of the nominees were former legislators and political careerists who belong to the well known old breed who had been in the corridors of power for long.
The new breed was bitter that inspite of the heroic role they played in bringing the Government to power, the governor failed to appreciate it. The Special Advisers too belong to the old school of politicians who are well known.
Reports indicate that even some political heavyweights grumbled for non-inclusion of their people in the new cabinet.
Just then, news filtered out that governor Bala has approved the disengagement of Hon. Shittu Zaki as political adviser. Earlier some opined that Zaki was forcefully asked to resign because of some issues.
Since the Government is still less than 100 days. More heads are expected to roll as a result of the scandal which was not unconnected with ram distribution during the last Sallah festivities.
The fact is things are not going to be as easy as people may expect them to be. The PDP is no doubt a large party and it carries along with it differnt interests and expectations. Truth is that, not everybody would get what he or she wants in a situation like this. It thus appear that Governor Bala is conscious of this and therefore taking his time to do the right thing.
But only time would tell how he will be able to grapple with the yearnings, aspiration and grievances especially from those who feel they have a stake in the administration they laboured so hard to bring.
