Where Governor Bago is Getting it Wrong!

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has been accused of not helping his media handlers one bit. He is leaving no room for “escape” when it comes to image management and public communication.

From the Billions of dollars he bandied, to the dress code saga, to the Dreadlock ban, to the now-illegal closure of Badeggi FM Radio, to the Tractor figures and many more, in all, he miscommunicated because I believe he didn’t consult his aides well before making emotional outbursts on the issues. He didn’t give them room to spin because he emphatically made these statements in public with video recordings, except for dreadlocks he later watered down, which I, for one, understood; others are too tight a rope to be explained.

Governor Bago doesn’t seem to understand the enormity of the position he is occupying as a Governor, so he often underestimates or ignores the counsel of professionals he has engaged as aides. This is why he is always in the eye of the storm.

The Governor must understand that, as a State Governor, your role is now different from the role of activism he is used to in the House of Representatives.

This time you are leading, you must plead, inspire, lobby and even beg and sometimes pretend to be foolish. If there is any need to threaten, it should be done with accuracy, with facts and with strategy, and such threats should be targeted at bandits.

From yesterday’s meeting alone, Governor Bago has opened up two major “Battles” with:

1. Media
2. Perceived Opponents

Not even Donald Trump, as ferocious and rebellious as he is, has won the battle against the media. You can’t win!

The same Nigerian media that fought the Military? The press that killed the third term or life Presidency agenda of Obasanjo? No! You can’t win.

As for his plan to go all out against his perceived opponents, I think it is rather too late, those he planned to demolish their buildings are not the people he should focus on now, if two years ago he couldn’t do it for the state, doing it now for a political interest in selfish and against the oath he took with Quran on May 29th, 2023.

All these are about 2027, 2nd term. If I were Governor Bago, I would focus on completing the infrastructure I have started, focus on security, youth empowerment/Job creation, and Agriculture.

2027 and beyond will be determined by the voters.

But the all-out “war” he declared with perceived enemies CANNOT (caps for emphasis) give him a second term, and it might not also deny him. Who opens a war when he is battling to stay afloat? Why did he delay the fight till now? No! It is not a good strategy to fight now.

As generous as Kure, he faced a near defeat at the hands of PRP championed by his best friends Dahiru Awaisu, Mustapha Bello, Garba Dogo and others.

Can Governor Bago compare himself to Kure? You don’t need to worry about answering.

Didn’t Gov. Bago, as a Rep Candidate, defeat 3 times sitting Governor Babangida Aliyu in Minna?

Truth be told, Governor Bago is not focusing on the right issues and policies.

Whoever goes around Minna knows there are ongoing projects, but the issue in question is when they will be completed, 2 years down, and with all the billions he has mentioned?

What political structure is the Governor building? Who in Agwara has been empowered to spend 2 million on his behalf? What about Borgu, Suleja, Kontagora or even Katcha, Gbako and or Lavun or Edati? What of Munya, Shiroro or Tafa?

How many people has he pushed up to the Federal level?

Gov. Bago needs to shift his focus and perspective a bit to see clearly because currently the Sammies and Shehus are blocking his vision, not Abulolo or his friends and family.

If truly Bago wants a second term, he needs to fight less, lobby more and empower his structure to take care of the masses, NOT the “stingy” men.

Also, listen to your handlers! Listen to the voices of reason and not just your voice.

Credit: Yahaya Mohd Usman