Do You Think 39 Year Old Umaru Nasko's Shoulders Are Too Fragile To Carry The Burden Of Niger State People.

Since emerging as the PDP governorship candidate in Niger state in circumstances his opponents prefer to describe as controversial, Umaru Nasco, aged 39 has been struggling to drown the many opposing voices to his emergence. He has been trying to convince them that, despite having the governor’s backing, he would be his own man if elected as the governor of the state, writes HAMMED SALAWU


The primaries of all the political parties might have come and gone, with winners claiming victory while the losers kick endlessly. The contest in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Niger state can be said to be more interesting, because eight of those that contested with the winner, Umaru Mohammed Nasko, are not willing to let the slot go easily. In fact, one of them dragged Nasko to court contesting the process that led to his emergence.

In addition, series of allegations have continued to fly in a bid to disqualify Nasco. In an instant, losers and their backers claim that at 39, Umaru Nasco is too young to be saddled with the responsibilities of governing a state like Niger. On this, Nasko says, “I am not too young to be a governor.” He is even emphatic that his party, the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan, and himself will sweep the Niger state polls in 2015 without much ado, despite all unfounded allegations.

On the crisis that trailed the primary election through which he emerged, Nasko admitted the problem, but said, “I will honestly tell you from the bottom of my heart that I understand whatever anyone of those who lost at the primaries feel and it’s not out of place to feel disappointed when one loses.

“But I appeal to my fathers and elder brothers who contested the PDP governorship primary election with me to please put behind the primaries and join hands with me for the love of the state to work towards the Party’s success at the general polls. I do not believe in disrespect and pride; so I beg them all because the truth is that I need every one of them and cannot climb the mountain on my own without their assistance.

“I need them more than I have ever needed them. Then we will go out and let the electorate know what we have for them and then allow them decide on who the best person for them is.”

Nasco has been assailed on all fronts, using every available political weapon to fight him. His opponents strongly believe that at 39, his shoulders are still too fragile to carry the burden of Niger state people. But he subtly disagrees, reeling out instances of those who had held greater responsibilities before at even younger age. “Age is indeed nothing but a number, as the popular saying goes, but believe me, I will be 40 years old by March and in a country where life expectancy is put at less than 50 years, a 40-year old cannot be too young to serve in the highest office of a state governor.

“What is important in this journey is not the age of a contestant but the quality of the age, since how an individual feels about his age is largely the state of the mind of the individual, which is why a 30 year old, with the right exposure and experience achieve more than a 70 year, and vice versa. That is not to diminish the value of old age, but it is only to underscore the need to give the young a chance.

“If by God’s grace I emerge the governor of Niger state in 2015, I will not be the youngest governor either in Nigeria neither will I be the first in Niger State. General Yakubu Gowon became the third Head of State of our great nation at the age of 32 and it was during his regime that he successfully prevented the Biafran secession, which led to civil war. He was succeeded by Murtala Mohammed who took over through a coup. Murtala was 38 years when he became head of state and he was described as one of the most decisive and disciplined head of state Nigeria ever had. This endeared him to many Nigerians. Murtala Nyako was military administrator of Niger in 1976 at the age of 34 and he did well; so was Senator David Mark who was military administrator of Niger in 1984 at age 36 and he performed well.

“Other younger ones in this democratic era have succeeded and are no disappointment to our generation. Take a good look at Donald Duke, he became governor of Cross River state in 1999 at the age of 38 and today his ideas and policies are bringing revenue to the state and will continue for years.”

There are those who believe that his closeness to the incumbent Governor Babangida Aliyu may mar his chances of winning the election. But curiously he does not see it that way. “It’s unfortunate that people talk or think like this, but the truth be told there is no way people will expect me to be fighting or be at loggerheads with Governor Aliyu or any other elder in this state because like you know, we were properly raised.

“Whether we like it or not I will continue to consult with the elders and people of the state to enable us succeed. So if people are expecting me to fight him or anyone else, count me out. However, the interest of the people of Niger state will always remain paramount in all that we do and I know that the governor will always support us and be there for us when we need him but I am sure he will not do what the people are thinking.

“The issue of having a firm grip on the state should not be the issue because anyone who is mature to run a family, more than three ministries in the state and eventually the Chief of Staff to the governor is capable of running the state. Since I don’t run to my parents to assist me run my family and when I was commissioner, I was advising the governor on some policy issues, then it will be stating the obvious that I am capable of running the affairs of the state and continuing with the visions and mission of the Chief Servant”.

Though apparently supported by the governor, he knows he is not going to have the governorship of a complex state like Niger on a platter. There are forces amassing against him demanding to know what he can do, what he has got to offer. However, he insists that his pedigree and track record in the offices he had held should speak for him.

“As Chief of Staff, I worked closely with the current governor of the state, where I supported high-level executives in making decisions and tracking the completion of projects. As a result of my strong team building skills, I ensured that all offices and departments within the Government House were run efficiently. As Commissioner of Tourism we conquered Zuma Rock and renovated the Gurara falls resort.”

In spite of the myriads of antagonism against his candidacy, Nasko believes, “the mandate we are seeking is aimed at consolidating on the gains recorded by the Chief Servant, whose achievements will serve as the springboard for higher performance. What defines a good democratic system is the access and equal opportunities available to all stakeholders. If elected, we shall carry everyone and every part of the state along, ensuring even development across the state. We shall uphold the trust and confidence reposed in us, by living up to expectations and even beyond the call of duty.”

Age or not, governor’s support or not, analysts and stakeholders alike are asking, what does Nasco bring to the developmental table of Niger state.

He has promised to create what he calls an investment corridor to attract foreign direct investment.

“We will create an investment corridor in Niger State to attract foreign direct investments that will leverage on our vast economic resources for the actualization of Vision 3-2020. Our economic development blue print will be anchored on the agriculture sector, where we shall exploit our comparative advantages of abundant arable land and consolidate on the value chain in rice, yam, cereals, fisheries and livestock development across the state.

“Our goal is to encourage the establishment of small and medium scale industries that will promptly accommodate the skills of our local people and youths. Local Government-based farm settlements would be established all over the state, as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies, especially the Niger State Agriculture and Mechanization Development Authority, NAMDA, would be further strengthened towards realizing our agriculture transformation agenda. We shall also strengthen the micro-finance banks to enhance access to soft loans by farmers while providing access roads to ease transportation of farm products and enhance efficient marketing system where farmers would benefit maximally.”

In the face of dwindling oil revenue that has put many states in dire straits economically, how does he hope to bring all these dreams to fruition? “Niger State Internal Revenue Service will be strengthened to enhance our revenue generation capacity for improved service delivery. We must begin to explore alternative sources of internal revenue generation to break out from the vicious circle of perpetual dependence on FAAC allocation. Our arts, culture and tourism potentials will be explored to create additional income streams for the state,” he stated. -


There is nothing wrong with his age please
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