The past political experience in the state has undoubtly left practical lessons in the minds of the citizens of the state on the real meaning of imposition and its implications, which is why people in the state may stop at nothing to ensure that only the popular wishes of the majority is respected.
When Nyako was imposed on the state some years ago, it was obvious that the citizens of the state tolerated the conspiracy and imposition; the same circumstances reenacted itself in 2011 election because of what many described as the weak and insensitive posture of the ethnic majority in the state.
The former president, Olesegun Obasanjo who facilitated imposition of Nyako 2007 was quoted as saying, “had it been that people of the state protested the imposition of Nyako I would have withdrawn his candidate to avoid any uproar and breach of peace”
It is true that Adamawa has a history of imposition of candidates without stiff resistance but the current imposition of the former EFCC Boss, Malam Ribadu seems to have made history because of the mass resistance it has generated up to this moment.
There are strong indications that the Adamawa ethnic majority are poised for a surprise this; to prove to the world that the power behind the imposition of candidates in Adamawa may not be right this time.
Not long ago the Fulani cabal who were alleged to have brought Nggilari through judicial process were reported to have recently viewed his government as stumbling block to the realization of the their political interest because of what they described as a strange romance between Ngglari and the opposition in the state.
The cabal was said to have mounted pressure on he presidency to remove the Governor of the state on the grounds that the governor has been sympathic to APC and SDP in the state.
The plot to remove the governor due to perceived disloyalty to the party received a boost recently but lost its steam when the governor assured the presidency that he was still loyal to the party (PDP). Sources close to the party said that the governor was arm twisted to support the PDP guber candidate inspite of the unpleasant circumstances surrounding the process that brought him up as the party’s flagbearer in Abuja recently. The recent removal threat against local government chairmen and commissioners by the chief executive of the state was said to be an aftermath of the intense pressure on the governor from the presidency.
It was quite disturbing that the commissioners were compelled to take an oath that they will not be engaged in anything inimical to the interest of the party.
Many are worried that in our current level of democratic growth and experience that politicians are forced to declare their loyalty for the party under oath.
Many have alleged that the pressure mounted on the local government chairmen and stake holders to vote for PDP by the governor is a calculated steps by the governor to prove his innocence and loyalty to the party against accusations that he was romancing with the opposition. Nigerians are still watching to see the outcome of the ongoing political calculations especially with the presence of the likes of A.T Shehu and Chief Joel Madaki who suffered humiliation in the hands of the national party leadership and their favoured candidate.
Will the arm-twisting of the chief executive also make difference? The recent hard posture of the chief executive council members looks real but with some hidden elements of deception.
Would it be possible for a man who has been hunted down by his enemies turn back to support the enemy who has been responsible for his woes and truncation of his political ambition? This is a hard riddle to solve but only time will tell the answers. Nggilari, Joel Madaki and A.T Shehu are not the only ones nursing their wounds inflected by the entrance of Ribadu in the party; many whose ambitions have been scuttled are in the party; majority party loyalists are also hiding and waiting for the arrival of their prey.
Will Ribadu be lucky enough to escape the sharp and penetrating claws of the vicious and hungry lions waiting for him to step into their territory?
Only a miracle will make a big difference in Ribadu’s political life. The ethnic majority out there are also waiting to see how such miracle will translate into concrete reality the political calculations of the controversial PDP candidate in the state. Whatever coercive pressure mounted on the local government chairmen to support PDP will not change the minds of the electorates because the past horrifying leadership experience has shaped the lives of people in the state.You can only fool me once but you cannot fool me twice!
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