Sincethe beginning Muhammadu Buhari’s politics in 2003, Jos-People stood with him
unconditionally. Jos-People are amongst the few communities that gave theirunwavering supports to General Buhari, they remain second to none. In all theelections General Buhari contested, Jos-People either came first, second orthird in terms of total votes cast by LGAs. Jos-People deservesACKNOWLEDGEMENT, RECOGNITION and PARTICIPATION to benefit from theirlove/believe for Baba and supports for All Progressive Congress (APC).Atthe start of the 5th republic in 1999, Jos-People were mainly in differentpolitical parties, with majority in APP and PDP. Jos-People divided their votesbetween APP and PDP in almost equal proportion. In 2003, when the game changerjoined politics and decided to participate actively, the politics of Joschanged completely where over 80% of Jos-People stamped APP as their party dueto General Buhari’s presence in the party.
The slogan within the Jos ranges from“SAI-BABA-BUHARI” to “SAI-MAIGASKIYA”. This is due to the love/believe andtrust they have for BABA-BUHARI (as they fondly call General Buhari) because oftheir believe in his honesty, integrity and personal conviction of him takingthem out of uncertainties. They strongly believe that with Baba Buhari thingswill change completely, they shall have their basic rights, privileges andbetter standard conditions of living.
Duringthe 2003 elections, Jos-People gave Baba-Buhari/APP the highest votes casts byLGA in the whole of this country. Jos-People followed and stood byBaba-Buhari/APP throughout his/their sojourn at the Courts. Even after theSupreme Court Ruling, Jos-People didn’t forsake Baba-Buhari, instead their lovefor him increased.
WhenAPP metamorphosed to ANPP, Jos-People were not left behind. They moved to ANPPfollowing their “MAI-GASKIYA” (Trustworthy). During the 2007 elections,Jos-People did not disappoint at all, they campaigned, mobilized and gave theirvotes again to Baba Buhari/ANPP. They gave massive votes (A Kasa, A Raka, ATsare), they still maintained their first position in terms of votes casts byLGA as they did in 2003.
In2009 when General-Buhari formed a new political party unilaterally, TheCongress for Progressive Change (CPC), he wasn’t disappointed by Jos-People, tothem it was a welcome development and a dream come true to have/join apolitical party formed by Baba-Buhari. Most ANPP members and others from theirparties joined CPC. The Jos-People took CPC as their personal party, theyopened offices and printed campaign materials, within the shortest time CPCbecame a household name. From that moment, the world knows Jos-People areBaba-Buhari People. It also became clear to all aspirants/candidatesirrespective of political affiliations to identify with General-Buhari for themto be recognized by Jos-People. Aspirants/Candidates across party lines startedprinting their campaign materials with Baba-Buhari pictures by the side oftheirs.
When2011 election was conducted the whole nation saw the votes Jos-People gavetheir hero (Baba-Buhari/CPC). During the elections, voters slept at pollingunits, the old, weak, sick and women were allowed to cast their votes firstwhile the youths waited till late nights/early morning to cast their votes. Itwas during 2011 presidential election a pregnant woman nearly gave birth on thequeue but for the intervention of other women who helped her to a nearby houseto deliver of a baby boy that was named Buhari. It will interest you to knowthe woman (mother) came back after delivery and casts her vote for Baba-Buhari.This is just to show/tell you the kind of unprecedented love Jos-People have forBaba-Buhari.
Therewas tremendous joy when Jos-People heard CPC and other political partiesamalgamated to form All Progressive Congress (APC). Joyous and prayer sessionswhere held for the success of APC. 98% of Jos-People became APC members. Joswas decorated with APC colours, posters, etc. The APC phenomenon was sooverwhelming that good candidates were sacrificed for others. Those thatcontested under the party of Baba-Buhari/APC became “saints” and won allelections within Jos. The old, young, men, women, boys and girls all came outand voted the syndrome “SAK”. All APC candidates didn’t do much campaign asJos-People are for Baba-Buhari/APC/SAK.
WhenBaba-Buhari was declared winner of the 2015 presidential elections, Jos wentagog with funfair, music and dancing. Jos-People slaughtered cows, rams,chickens and cooked varieties of dishes, it was weeklong celebrations. Sadly,some even lost their lives and some got injured from accidents during thecelebrations.
Expectationswere high/ripped, unfortunately Baba-Buhari named his cabinet without a singleperson from Jos-People. The ministerial appointment that came to Plateau State,went to Plateau-South that have the sitting Governor. Jos-People weren’tconsidered in any federal political appointment, not even for minorconsideration. We have teeming qualified unemployed youths and no singlefeasible democratic dividends that can positively change the lives of thosewhom gave so much for Baba-Buhari. Jos-People are mostly self-employed, theroads linking Jos to Kaduna, Kano and other business areas are death traps,Jos-People are not even considered for the few intervention programmes. Webelieve Baba-Buhari knows our plight and we are expecting so much from him.When shall we reap from what we sow?
Withall the disappointments and pains, hopes are not lost. Again during the 2019presidential elections, Jos-People came out en-mass against all odds,intimidations and difficult terrain and did what they know best and good at,they overwhelmingly voted their Baba-Buharin-dai! There was even a case of ayoung man that was bedridden, he asked his father to help him to the pollingunit to go vote for Baba-Buhari, he later died few minutes after casting hisvote for his beloved Baba-Buhari. Another aged person slept for a week at hispolling unit due to distance and wanted to be first person to vote Baba-Buhari,another was carried in ambulance to his polling unit, some were harassed,intimidated, denied voting but Jos-People’s votes still remained votes toreckon with. Many Doctors/Lawyers offered free services during the electionperiod to ensure Jos-People votes count.
Baba-Buhari,you promised considering those that supported you and loyal to APC. We wish todraw your attention to Jos-People that supported, labored and remained loyal toyour course since 2003 till date. The benefit of politicking is ACKOWLEDGEMENT,RECOGNITION and PARTICIPATION. We, like any other community have the manpowerand capacity to assist you/APC in moving this great country to the Next Level.We request for inclusion into all democratic dividends, appointments,employment, etc.
Baba-Buhari,it may interest you to know we have capable tested sons with capacity and trackrecords of achievement. Hon Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, former Secretary Jos-NorthLGA (1991–1993), NITEL Territorial-Manager Lagos (1997–2000), former Ministerof State for Information (2007–2008); Hon Shehu Saleh Hassan, former MemberHouse of Representatives (2003–2007); Alhaji Danladi Pasali, NationalCoordinator Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO), Hon Bashiru Musan Sati,Secretary Plateau State APC. Even in sports, we have one of the best sportsadministrator, Hon (Dr.) Suleiman Yahaya Kwande a great son and loyal partymember. He is two term member representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency(2011 till date). He refused joining team with Hon Dogara and sided with HonGbajabimila due to party loyalty. He refused overtures to decamp to otherparties when others did. He was promised automatic ticket, stayed when he lostthe primary election and worked vigorously for APC in all elections. Hon. (Dr.)Kwande was Chairman, Mighty Jet Football Club Jos, 2000–2010, Pioneer Member,Nigeria Professional League (NPFL), 2006, Elected Member, Nigeria FootballAssociation (NFA), 2010 till-date, Member, House Committee on Sports 7thAssembly, President, Nigeria Beach Soccer, 2015-2018.
WhileJos Baba-Buhari’s supporters are not all Fulanis, they however imbibe theFulani culture of shying away from begging. That was why all these while wekeep quiet and render our un-quantified support for Baba Buhari since hestarted contesting for the leadership of this country. We are however forcedthis time around to beg, (or put in political term, lobby) for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,RECOGNITION and PARTICIPATION. We acknowledge the fact that the outgoing SportsMinister is from Plateau State. If Baba will retain this position and same begiven to the most qualified person for the position who is one of us, we willappreciate it and become fulfilled.
Hon. Inuwa Othman (AnaTare), Stakeholder, APC Jos-North writes from Jos. He can be reached via othman4u@gmail.com or 08037009996.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect WikkiTimes’ editorial stance.
