BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Less than 48 hours after tendering his resignation to Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, facts are emerging on behind-the-scene moves that saw former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado, exiting office abruptly on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.
Insiders said Alhaji Gidado’s resignation may not be unconnected with recent developments in the State, particularly the crisis-ridden Ward, Local Government and State congresses of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Forefront sources, pressure continuously mounted on the erstwhile Deputy Governor to quit the cabinet in protest of Governor Abubakar’s seeming arrogance and unbending attitude towards political opponents and even some top APC members in the State.
It was reliably gathered that Gidado, a known ally of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, was not only seriously stressed, but clearly side-lined by Governor Abubakar in all affairs of government.
Additionally, our source hinted that with eyes on 2019 gubernatorial race, strong signal have emerged that Alhaji Gidado’s camp is eyeing the Government House and the Governor’s opponents see him as a rallying point and someone with the capacity to woo and organise all those unhappy with the State of things in Bauchi State.
Our usual competent APC’s insiders are pained by the development, even as there is palpable fear that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State has already moved its political machinery to court Alhaji Gidado in their bid to re-capture Bauchi state from the APC
“Besides the excuse of being bored, disillusioned and redundant in office, Gidado had to throw in the towel because he was obviously considered a mole in government given his closeness to Speaker Dogara and some other APC chieftains that currently at loggerheads with Governor Abubakar.
“With each passing day, the former Deputy Governor was inundated by allegations of disloyalty and lack of commitment to the Governor’s second term ambition. In the process, he lost the enthusiasm to be at work where his day is spent on flipping through national dailies; receiving visitors and making calls to friends and family members”, the source said.
Alhaji Gidado admitted this much in his resignation letter that said; “Ordinarily, I should have remained up to the end of the tenure, but, with the currently dampened spirit and waning zeal as it relates to my official engagements, my continued stay will not be fair and truthful to you as my brother and leader.”
Further attributing his action to the dampening of spirit and waning passion for his official duties, Gidado said; “I feel sure that, Your Excellency will readily recollect the most recent one-on-one discussion we had, precisely, on Thursday, April 19th, 2018, in your office, where, among other issues, I expressed to you, my contemplation to ‘step aside’, if need be, in order to free my conscience.
“I regret to say that it has become necessary to yield to that inner calling, and may this development be in accordance with the blessed will and guidance of Allah.”
Meanwhile, the Governor Abubakar has described the tenure of Alhaji Gidado as ‘meritorious’ and therefore deserving of ‘commendation.’
A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser, Media, Mr Ali M. Ali, said; “We received the resignation of our Deputy Governor, Engr. Nuhu Gidado.
“On behalf of the people of Bauchi state, I want to thank him for his meritorious service while in office. He remains vital to our administration and party. I wish him well in his future endeavours, and he can count on me for support.”
“I am also optimistic he will avail the state his service when called upon in the future,” the statement further quoted the governor as saying.
