The game-changer in Katsina’s 2023 elections, By Olawale Oluwabusola

Former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema has once again in the 2023 general election written his name in the golden book of the state as a political game changer whose patriotic role returned the state to the progressive fold. I broke protocol in putting up this write-up because I didn’t seek permission or opinion. I know that if I decide to do so, the style of principled service for the national and public interest, and not for public applause, will not allow them to give me. However, there is a need for the younger generation to learn from the sacrificial leadership style.

This is a statement of fact that after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua laid a solid foundation for the progress and development of Katsina State, as governor, his immediate successor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, became the catalyst of progressive transformation. of the country, therefore Shema remains among the key political factors that determine the political direction in the country’s politics.

However, to achieve this feat, Shema, as Governor of Katsina State, through prudent management of resources during his eight-year administration, executed landmark projects without loan facilities, marking a progressive turning point in the history of the state. Projects such as 250-bed orthopedic and specialist hospitals, 361 clinics in 361 political wards in the country. To his credit is also the introduction of the Rural Ambulance Service Scheme in 34 local governments in the country.

In addition, his government built 3,000 kilometers of roads throughout the country; built over 3,500 houses to meet the country’s housing needs; build a new ultra modern Government Building, build Umaru Musa Yar’adua University; built a 35,000 seat capacity Olympic sized stadium; built over 200 newly established secondary schools; and 34 girls’ primary schools throughout the country, in addition to over 100 ALLO model schools to support Almanjiri education, with a total population of over 17,000 students in 2015 (with free feeding, uniforms, handicraft training and stipends for teachers). He founded the ICT and Business Institute; built Katsina City Mall, Dubai International market; Set up a Youths Craft Village, where more than 4,000 youths are trained every year. They provided 3,000 boreholes across the country, as well as building more than 100 semi-urban water schemes. Shema expands Katsina State International Airport ; purchase and distribution of 340 Messi Ferguson tractors at discounted prices to farmers; the establishment of the Katsina Songhai agricultural project in the three senatorial districts of the state; provided fertilizer to farmers at a cost, less than N1800, during his eight years in office, etc.

Shockingly, despite all the commendable projects recorded, the Shema administration did not owe any civil servants or contractors as of May 29, 2015. He did not borrow money to implement any project, he did not owe the state, and also, he left N14 billion in the coffers of the state government and local government on May 29, 2015.

Please note that the Shema administration is sponsoring over 800 Katsina State students to study abroad in critical areas like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, radiology, computer engineering, etc. malaria patients, accident victims, etc. They increased the salaries of health workers; rehabilitated all major public hospitals in the country and provided new equipment; and free education for all students in primary and secondary schools, including payment of WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB fees for students in public schools, including non-indigenous.

He provided free buses to transport students to various schools in the state and increased the scholarship allowance of Katsina State students in tertiary institutions. Also, Governor Shema ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and prompt payment of workers’ salaries between 22 and 24 per month during the eight years he was the governor of the state.

As a result of his outstanding performance record while holding public office, it is not surprising that Shema’s name is echoed in every corner of the country even though he left office almost eight years ago. It is obvious that the effort to win a free and fair election in Katsina while ignoring the Shema factor is tantamount to an exercise in futility. This is the lesson that PDP leaders at the national level and their collaborators in the state failed to learn during the 2023 elections, which ultimately benefited the APC and its leaders who recognized the value and influence of Shema’s election that undermined their political affiliation, and still continue to do so.

Since the death of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Shema has remained the soul of PDP in Katsina State. He served the people of the state selflessly, and no prominent project or infrastructure in Katsina has gone without a trace.

As a former governor, former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the Secretary of the 113 member Special National Convention Committee of the PDP that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Shema, in the 2023 general election stand up and work for the national interest, justice, equality , and justice. He will continue to do so for the progress and development of Nigeria. He remains the rising star of northern Nigeria, the architect of modern Katsina State. A simple and humble first class administrator. In a statement to the public on the results of the presidential election that has just concluded, Shema said, “Let us remind you that there is no perfect election in the world or an election without complaints, and we cannot be an exception, but we must therefore learn to manage our situation for the benefit of Nigeria and for all Nigerians.

Sectional, tribal, religious, personal or group interests must give way to national and collective interests,” and with the political realignment of progressive minds between political parties in the 2023 elections, Nigeria is set to undergo a monumental and great progressive transformation, it is only a matter of time.

Olawale Oluwabusola as former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema’s media team chief.