Race for Kaduna dep gov heats up

[DT]

Behind the scene lobbying has intensified among politicians seeking to be appointed deputy governor of Kaduna State to replace Mukhtar Yero, who was sworn in as governor on Sunday following the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa.  Investigations by Daily Trust show that several prominent politicians from southern Kaduna have joined the bid to take up the No. 2 public office in the state.

Traditionally, when the governor happens to come from any of the two other zones of the state the post of deputy governor is reserved for southern Kaduna.

These being mentioned as possible candidates for the post include former lawmaker Jonathan Asake, Yakowa's special adviser Reverend Joseph Hayab, former Aviation minister Felix Hassan Hyet and former deputy governor James Bawa Magaji.

Yesterday, the name of Yakowa's widow Amina was also mentioned as a possible contender for the post of deputy governor.

Daily Trust gathered that those angling for the post have been using proxies to indicate their interest to the powers that be.

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has emerged as the kingmaker, being the political godfather of Governor Yero. He is also the leader of the ruling People's Democratic Party in the state.

Former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, now a senator, is also believed to be in a strong position to influence the outcome of the process.

Sources told Daily Trust that community groups are pushing for their chosen candidates. For instance, the Baju Development Association is rooting for Asake. One-time deputy governor, the late Stephen Shekari, was also a Baju man.

For Hayab, his candidature is being promoted by people who believe that he is the only young person who can defend the interest of the southern Kaduna people.

Sources around the governor told Daily Trust that the new governor will prefer to work with a young person like him.

"You know the governor joined politics in 2007 when his boss, Vice President Sambo, was contesting for Kaduna state governorship election. You know loyalty it politics is not negotiable, so he will prefer to work with a fresher," the source said.

A senior politician from southern Kaduna told Daily Trust that the politicking was not only for the deputy governor's seat alone.

"We are working for many posts not only that of the deputy, they are many," he said.

He said the post of Secretary to the State Government, which is being occupied by Alhaji Samaila Yakawada, is also supposed to be taken over by someone from southern part of the state.

The tradition in Kaduna is to have an SSG from southern part of the state if the governor comes from either of the other zones.

The chairmanship of PDP and the speakership of the State House of Assembly are also rotated between the three zones of the state. Pundits say with the death of Yakowa, there is likely to be realignment in these offices.

Speaking to Daily Trust, President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Mr. Ephraim Goje said his people are not doing any strategising to produce the deputy governor.

"We are still mourning our beloved governor. To us in southern Kaduna who becomes the deputy governor is not important to us at the moment because we are still in shock of the death of our own Yakowa," he said.

"When we are done, God will guide us on who becomes the deputy governor. But I can assure you that the person will be somebody who will work amiably with the new governor and the person must have the fear of God," he added.

Daily Trust learnt that a new deputy governor will be nominated to the state House of Assembly for approval after the burial of the late Yakowa scheduled to hold on Thursday.

Daily Trust

[Nifemi Donald]

i just hope an insider doesnt know abt the death of gov yakowa

[Glory Skales Charity]

They should ensure they elect a less corrupt individual this time around.The state needs that