By: Mayen Etim
KATSINA, North-West Nigeria -Communities in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina state should expect a paradigm shift from representation of the new Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bello Hussaini Kagara.
This position was taken by Alhaji Sabi’u Sa’idu Mahuta, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Katsina State while interacting with newsmen immediately after the swearing-in ceremony of the members of the State Executive Council on Tuesday in Katsina.
Sabi’u is an Executive Director of A A Rano Nigeria Limited, an emerging global business player. Mahuta, the ‘Sardaunan Daneji’ and ‘Danmalikin Kafur’ is one of the emerging political forces in Katsina State.
He opined that while this was the first time the communities were privileged to nominate persons for appointment as members of the state executive council, the opportunity gave them the option to a reasonable choice to present Alhaji Bello Hussaini Kagara, who has been on the political terrain for over three decades.
According to Mahuta, Alhaji Kagara’s political antecedents are unmatched in the area in terms of accessibility, sharing of their joys and sorrows, attending the challenges of education, youth and women empowerment, peaceful coexistence, among others.
Sabi’u posited that Kagara’s appointment means different thing to different people in the council, pointing out that the new commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, is the only person that always stood by the people, dine and share feelings with them. “He is accessible to the grassroots, he earned the peoples’ confidence and trust and they listen to him.
Going down memory lane, Mahuta said, “This gentleman has been offered the opportunity to become a commissioner since 1993, but declined and rather nominated others to serve.This is the sixth time he was given the opportunity to serve as a member at the executive council.
“Even this time around he vehemently rejected the offer, but we went back to re-strategize, resolved among ourselves under the leadership of our father, the immediate past governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Maisari, and resolved that whether he likes it or not, we’re not even asking or seeking for his consent, rather he would be nominated and also ensured that he accepted the nomination and go on to serve in the state executive council.
“Allah in His infinite mercy touched the heart of Alhaji Kagara and the rest is now history,” he narrated.
He also said today, the citizens of the area are happy and hopes rekindled that a grassroot politician, a son of the soil is a member of the state executive council, and by so doing the citizens are hopeful that they would not be sidelined in the state.
“I, and the entire communities in Kafur Local Government commend Governor Dikko Umar Radda for accepting our nomination, while pledging our support and commitment to the efforts in building a durable democratic culture focussed on growth and development.
“We are also grateful to our teaming supporters, who has been standing by us, for their commitments and urge them to sustain and improve the tempo so that our aspirations of building a virile society could be realized,” Mahuta said.