SUCCESSION IS NOT A CRIME; COMPETENCE IS NOT AN INSULT

The recent political theatrics and manufactured outrage surrounding the alleged “anointing” of Dr. Yakubu Adamu as a preferred successor to Governor Senator Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir Kaura deserve to be confronted with facts rather than empty political grandstanding.

Let us assume, for the sake of argument, that Governor Bala Mohammed indeed considers Dr. Yakubu Adamu worthy of succeeding him. So what exactly is the crime?

Is Dr. Yakubu Adamu not a Nigerian? Is he constitutionally prohibited from aspiring to become Governor of Bauchi State? Has any competent court of law ever pronounced him incapable, disqualified or unfit to occupy public office?

The answer is an emphatic NO.

Therefore, attempting to portray the political support or preference of a serving governor as humiliation to Dr. Yakubu Adamu is nothing more than a baseless political brouhaha, intellectual gymnastics and desperate propaganda designed to manufacture controversy where none exists.

A TRUE SON OF THE SOIL

Beyond his academic credentials, professional accomplishments and political aspirations, Dr. Yakubu Adamu is a bona fide son of Bauchi soil.

Bauchi runs through his bloodline.

His father is from Giade, while his mother is from Bauchi. He carries a generational connection to the soil, history and people of Bauchi State. His roots are not accidental, artificial or recently acquired through political convenience.

Dr. Yakubu Adamu is therefore not a stranger searching for political relevance in Bauchi State. He is a son of the soil whose ancestral and family connections to Bauchi State run deep.

While every constitutionally qualified Nigerian has the right to participate in politics wherever the law permits, it is equally legitimate to recognise that Dr. Yakubu Adamu possesses a profound ancestral, familial and generational connection to Bauchi State.

His aspiration is therefore rooted not merely in political opportunity, but in identity, history, belonging and a lifelong connection to the people whose mandate he seeks.

Political mentorship, endorsement and confidence are not instruments of humiliation. They are normal features of democratic politics across the world. Every serious political leader naturally desires continuity of good governance and will identify individuals he considers capable of consolidating and improving upon existing achievements.

What would be truly humiliating is the suggestion that Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir Kaura—an experienced politician with enormous responsibility for the future of Bauchi State—would deliberately hand over the destiny of millions of citizens to an incompetent, intellectually bankrupt or politically useless individual simply to satisfy the ego of opposition politicians.

Governor Kaura has every right to recognise competence. He has every right to support capacity. And Bauchi people have every constitutional right to either accept or reject any candidate through the ballot box.

That is democracy.

The opposition should therefore stop behaving as though Dr. Yakubu Adamu must seek their permission before aspiring to lead Bauchi State.

And since the conversation has shifted towards qualification, competence and capacity, it is important that political propagandists should be extremely careful when throwing stones from intellectual glass houses.

Dr. Yakubu Adamu is not a political accident. He is not an emergency candidate manufactured overnight to decorate campaign posters. He is a man whose academic advancement, professional development and administrative experience have taken him beyond ordinary political rhetoric.

His accomplishments extend into the demanding world of finance and administration, where performance is measured not by noise-making, propaganda or political theatrics, but by results, responsibility, leadership and the capacity to manage complex institutions.

Reaching a senior regional managerial position within the banking industry is not a ceremonial appointment and certainly not child's play. Such positions are earned through years of professional discipline, managerial competence, strategic thinking, accountability and the ability to coordinate substantial human and financial resources.

Let those attempting to diminish Dr. Yakubu Adamu's credentials therefore present their own superior record to the people instead of engaging in the politics of character assassination and intellectual vandalism.

With due respect to Senator Shehu Buba, this is not an attempt to diminish anyone's political standing. However, when individuals begin throwing the word “qualification” around as a weapon of political ridicule, they must equally be prepared for the public to objectively examine credentials, professional achievements, administrative exposure and leadership experience.

Dr. Yakubu Adamu's record speaks for itself.

His academic progression is visible. His professional journey is established. His experience in financial administration is substantial. His managerial exposure is not imaginary. His ambition is legitimate. And most importantly, no competent court of law has declared him unqualified to seek any political office in Nigeria.

The opposition must understand one fundamental principle:

An endorsement is not a coronation. Political support is not dictatorship. Preference is not imposition. And being considered worthy by an experienced leader is not humiliation.

Ultimately, Dr. Yakubu Adamu does not become Governor merely because Governor Bala Mohammed supports him. Neither does he become Governor because opposition politicians dislike him.

The people will decide.

The ballot box—not political hysteria—will determine who possesses the confidence of the people of Bauchi State.

Those who genuinely believe they have better candidates should present them. Those who believe they have superior qualifications should demonstrate them. Those who claim to possess better ideas should articulate them.

But they must stop pretending that the alleged endorsement of a competent and accomplished individual automatically translates into humiliation.

That argument is not only intellectually weak; it is politically pedestrian.

Bauchi State deserves a serious conversation about governance, education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, economic development and the future of its young people—not endless political tantrums over who allegedly likes or supports whom.

Dr. Yakubu Adamu's aspiration should be tested by his competence, his character, his ideas and ultimately the verdict of the people—not by the bitterness of political opponents who appear uncomfortable with the possibility that competence may receive recognition.

If Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir Kaura sees capacity in Dr. Yakubu Adamu, that is his political judgement.

If Dr. Yakubu Adamu believes he possesses the competence to serve Bauchi State, that is his constitutional right.

And if the people of Bauchi State believe in him, no amount of propaganda, political hysteria, manufactured controversy or opposition theatrics can stop them from expressing their democratic will.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Dr. Yakubu Adamu is a son of Bauchi soil, with deep family roots in both Giade and Bauchi. He possesses academic credentials, professional experience and a legitimate constitutional right to aspire to leadership.

His competence should be debated. His ideas should be examined. His record should be scrutinised. And ultimately, his fate should be decided by the people—not by political propaganda.

Bauchi people are watching. Bauchi people are thinking. And when the time comes, Bauchi people—not political propagandists—will decide.

Mal. Ahmad M. Salihu 

ahmad.msalihu22@gmail.com