#NEWDAWN (5) STEPPING OUT OF THE #NEWDAWN PROJECT!!! I write us all today, with the deepest sense of humility, to inform you my dearest constituents of Awe/Doma/Keana; Friends, Associates, Admirers, supporters and fans alike; that I have stepped out of the race for the 2015 National Assembly elections. On Tuesday, 28/10/2014, a collective of Keana Local Government Elders/Stakeholders, invited us (Aspirants) to a meeting in Abuja, during which the need to present one aspirant to run the primary election from Keana was tabled and deliberated upon. The meeting subsequently resolved that I should, in the interest of the community; step out of the contest at this stage. This is to enable the community and the meeting to further consider the aspirations of the other contestants; Adamu Aboki and Abubakar Idris Gani, with the view of ensuring that only one out of the two eventually goes into the PDP primary elections from Keana LGA come 19/11/2014. I accepted the decision, pursuant of my avowed commitment and gospel that we must put our community interest above our personal interests, and in furtherance of promoting loyalty to party leadership/stakeholders participation in shaping party processes and decisions especially among contesting aspirations in the community; a cherished tradition that kept violence at bay, and promoted peaceful campaigns, and gave birth to all inclusive governance in the time past. This is a tradition we must encourage to be institutionalized at all party levels, and in whichever party we find ourselves. As we all may recall, JSK Campaigns activities were carried out through times and processes, including consultations and well structured engagements with fellow Constituents and the general public. Our efforts went viral in the social media and became past time discussion topics across our constituency and beyond; all thanks to you all. Thanks to you all for your hours of calls, and interface in the social media and personal outreach activities. In total and as at the last count in my social media sites there were over Eight Hundred (800) likes and comments on various aspects of the campaign projects. The results of all these efforts inspired and humbled me the more. For instance, One public commentator aptly captured the status of the Campaigns, describing it thus “…the JSK Campaigns is demonstrating in practical terms a real beginning of a New dawn by redefining our method of electoral campaigns…”, some others called it “… the face of new hope” Even the opposition parties found our aspiration laudable saying that “..JSK candidature should be open to the adoptable by more progressive party”, (I dey laugh) someone even went too far in his assessment of our person, saying, “…JSK is the epitome of the legendary long established sophisticated Alago political civilization …. Our modern day Ahmadu Onawo … if not him, who else…?”, yet another ventured, “…accept JSK, accept prosperity… accept credibility,” yet another stated, “….he is not just a geologist cum politician, but also energetic, charismatic, pragmatic and result-oriented”. Another curious commentator said “…JSK has passion and love for his community, and beyond, unfortunately … they will never give him the chance to outshine them, knowing his past records of developments…”, A revelation who came from another admirer, he said in his commentary, “…JSK is a man of people whose antecedents has endeared him to many especially my late father, who once said “of all my grandsons” reference to JSK, my heart is more comfortable with him, because, it seems to me, that he values his community more than his wife…”, one of our young and upcoming writer and thinker summarized his impression rather rhetorically saying “… that JSK is a credible and saleable candidate is no more an issue of debate. That he is contesting come 2015 is expected. That he will find the required vote is not a novelty, that he is better equipped and prepared for the job is also correct. That he is a grass root Politician is an understatement. That he is going to do better is predictable. …What else?!” “What else?” Indeed! if we must understand what is “What else” in politics; my take is that, it is a political lesson that we must always have at the back of our mind, where political interests and decisions are not about the best (whatever that may mean), but about so many other great options, as one of the commentators rightly captured, “... you don’t have to pick what seems best, just pick what makes you happy and it will be the best…”. And I concur fully. The lesson is, I appreciate all the expressions and evaluations about my aspirations by all and sundry; but I am out of the race at this point and the race has been and should be about Keana and community at all times. Keana Community, must therefore, pick only one aspirant to the next stage of the contest of PDP primaries, QED; and I will be happy forever. Overall score, this campaign have been one of my most memorable and exciting public engagements. We presented our score cards before our constituents; we campaigned, canvassed, and traversed many profiles. We promised exemplary stewardship, inspirational leadership and team playing undertakings. We sent our clear letter seeking for support, we defined the issues and our missions and promised to enthrone a new era of responsibilities in representative capacity through clearly drawn out structures, programes and activities to be driven by a robust Action-research Team; as aptly captured by one commentator who described this as “Community Mapping”. With these, we captured peoples’ imaginations as to what would be an eventful representation at the green chambers’! but as it is said; “You plan, God disposes. I remain grateful and indebted to you all. My final words, please let us all accept the verdicts of God. And I promised to work with the remaining members of stakeholders and aspirants to achieve the set objective to first and foremost present one aspirant from Keana to challenge the other(s) from any other LGA in the constituency. At this point therefore, I crave the indulgence of all my supporters and well wishers and request all and sundry to shift gear in this direction to give Keana LGA a successful outing this time around. Amen. Thank you all indeed.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:43:40 +0000