Money Politics Is The Order Of The Day In Nigeria – Bukar Abba-Ibrahim

Sen. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim on Saturday evening narrated how ordinary people reportedly made him governor for the first time in 1991.

Ibrahim, a three-time governor and senator, spoke at the launch of his book, “Poorlitics”, to mark his 70th birthday in Abuja.

He said he had only N20,000 in his account at the time the people called on him to run for the office.

He said the people’s power made him to defeat his formidable opponents who were “well-resourced with money, thugs, branded vehicles and powerful national godfathers”.

Ibrahim stated that he won the support of the masses with community service and people-oriented politics while he was a civil servant and Commissioner in the old Borno.

He urged young Nigerians aspiring to take over the country’s leadership to toe the same path to dislodge the current rule of money politics in the country.

“When Ibrahim Babangida introduced politics in 1991, I was innocently supporting my friend to be governor of Borno, when suddenly we heard that Yobe had been created.

“Before I knew it, I was besieged by friends and ordinary people to run for the office of the governor.

“I had only N20,000 in my account, and I did not know how I could campaign with only N20,000, but immediately I announced my intention to run, the people took over.

“Friends appeared everywhere with money and their vehicles; the campaign offices suddenly appeared.

“Ordinary people joined, posters came from everywhere. The people ran that campaign,” he said.

He further recalled that his opponents, who had not witnessed people politics, saw the contest as an easy one since he was just an “inconsequential upstart”.

“They believed money did all the talking. I did not know either.

“It was a sharp learning experience for me also, and the people swept me to power, resisting and sweeping away all attempts to rig me out,” he added.