This is the question bogging minds as Zamfara Governor, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, on Wednesday nominated a serving Senator, Muhammad Hassan Nasiha, to replace his impeached deputy governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau. He has since been sworn in as deputy governor.
The State House of Assembly impeached Mahdi, a few hours after the it received the report of the investigative panel constituted by the state’s chief judge, Kulu Aliyu.
Nasiru Mua’zu, Zamfara House of Assembly Speaker, read Governor Bello Matawalle’s letter nominating Nasiha
It was not clear Wednesday if Senator Nasiha, representing Zamfara Central Senatorial district, was consulted and his consent got before the nomination, but political analysts brain-stormed on the wisdom of Nasiha, who has 16 months to go as Senator, accepting the new position. One was categorical:”there is something in it for him, if not he wouldn’t have accepted. Period!”
He was Senator between 2007 and 2011, and returned in 2019 after the full gamut of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – peopled administration was sacked by the Supreme Court, giving way for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over.
Following political machinations in the troubled state, the PDP governor, Senators, House of Representatives members, state assembly men all returned to the APC.
Many suspect the Senator might prefer to be number two man in his state since there is no guarantee his constituents will return him come 2023. But, also, others ask: “what is the guarantee that Matawalle will prefer him, if he opts for a second term? Or, what guarantees does the governor have his people will give him a second term?”
Also, Mahdi has an undecided case before the court and may bounce back depending on how convinced the courts are with his arguments. Some think the High Court, Appeal Court, and Supreme Court cases may stretch until after the 2023 elections, making Mahdi’s dreams unattainable.
Recall that on Wednesday, the investigative panel set up by the state’s Chief Judge to investigate allegations against Mahdi, presented its report to the state House of Assembly.
The House had served Mahdi the impeachment notice through the Secretary to the State Government before asking the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel to verify the allegations against the deputy governor.
Mahdi’s major problem, it is believed, has to do with his refusal to join his boss to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But Zamfara watchers think it was the fear of his father, a dreaded spy chief and PDP top gun, Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, by APC interests within and outside Zamfara that culminated in his removal.
The shadow of senior Gusau and speculations of plots to remove Matawalle and replace with Mahdi, forced the governor’s hand to seek cover under Abuja and the APC for his political survival. In moving, Matawalle is said to have ‘persuaded’ his state lawmakers, who were predominantly of the PDP to come along, to prevent any backstab or political coup against him.
So far, the voice and hand of the senior Gusau has not been heard or seen, but even his silence has been disconcerting, especially after Matawalle called him and other prominent citizens, like former Governor Ahmed Yerima, out to take oaths that they did not have a hand in the insecurity rocking the state. The Governor swore his own innocence in a public ceremony.
As marvel at Nasiha for accepting his nomination and been sworn in, Zamfara continues to be rocked by a festering insecurity, with terrorists and bandits running amok, killing, maiming, and abducting the citizens.