BY JEDIDIAH AYUBA
The entire media space was awash about President Bola Tinubu’s purchase – through one of his loyalists – of forms to contest for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, as a prelude for the 2027 General Elections. In many ways, political activities have started. Before now, parties and politicians have been involved in various disguised programmes – not to run foul of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guidelines. For over one year, there has been a deluge of “indirect campaigns” under the guise of many tricky nomenclatures such as consultation, home-coming, thank-you visit, and a few others to wriggle out of any INEC’s inquisition. Across the country, these political activities are intensive and extensive such that humongous monies are expended on live telecast, even as many Nigerians grapple with biting economic challenges. As politicians criss-cross their respective States for relevance, it appears that contests are more for the Legislature. This is expected.
With 469 seats for grabs at the Senate and House of Representatives, and 990 in the states assemblies, political activities are focussed more on the Legislature – which is the heartbeat of democracy. The struggle, battle for seats in states houses of assembly have been fierce. Kaduna – the “crocodile state” is no exception. Somehow, the electoral quest for the Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency presents interesting scenarios that deserves close monitoring. For many reasons, the constituency is key to the Southern axis of Kaduna State. With the highest demography, largest voter base, massive agricultural potentials, economic advantage, and historical values, the constituency is essentially the population anchor, cultural heartland, and security barometer of the entire Kaduna South District.
The pool of personalities who had distinguished public service careers and made excellent contributions to Nigeria, Africa, and the world who are from the federal constituency are many. This includes General Chris Musa (rtd), Defence Minister; General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), former Defence Chief; and Col. Ishaya Bakut (rtd), former Benue State Governor, and ECOMOG Commander. Others are Revd. Father Matthew Kukkah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; and many renowned clergymen from the Pentecostal and Orthodox Churches. Mr. Yohanna Margif, the 2023 Labour Party’s Governorship candidate in Plateau State; Hon. Jonathan Asake, former President, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU); Hon. Gideon Gaya, former Member, House of Representatives. Not forgetting Late Elder Jatau Danladi Bako, foremost Educationist; Late Col. Yohanna Madaki (rtd), former Governor of Gongola and Benue States, first National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Given the preponderance of high-flyers with globally recognized and colourful credentials in diverse professions, the tussle for the federal seat promises to be a spectacle. The constituency, comprised two LGAs – Zango Kataf, and Jaba. On the last count, over two dozen aspirants – from the APC, PDP, ADC, and a few other parties have signified intentions to emerge the candidate of their respective parties. The long list includes politicians of different shades and sizes. The old, elderly, and young.
Engineer Bakut Seth Habila is one of those that have thrown his hat into the ring. The youthful professional-in-politics is variously described as a far-sighted, forward-thinking personality whose commitment to the personal development of people, community growth, and national development is hinged on service and collegiate leadership. From verifiable records, Bakut, who was the APC candidate for the Zonkwa state constituency in 2023 recently defected to the ADC where he intends to further his aspiration for the Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency seat next year. The Zonkwa-born entrepreneur contributed largely to the development of the Kaduna State Development and Property Company Limited as the Executive Director, Operations. Aside from political activities, he is always at the forefront of numerous advocacy that is geared towards personal and community development. One of those groups is the Southern Kaduna Youth Stakeholders Forum, where he functions as the Director of Research and Documentation.
From findings, his aspiration has gained traction across the 21 Wards that make up the federal constituency. The number of people that have shown interest and support for his ambition is not only encouraging but remains a proof of his hardworking, sacrificial, and selfless attributes. Mr. Luka Manasseh, a community leader declared that, “many people are identifying with Bakut, his support base among the youths is huge, and keeps increasing.” A youth activist, Philemon Yakubu affirmed that, “this is the best opportunity for my generation to have one of us in the House of Representatives. We are confident that if he emerged the candidate of the ADC, he will win the general elections because his aspiration is a collective.” An experienced politician who preferred anonymity said, “with the uncertainties, and impending crisis in the APC about the choice of their candidate, and the state of the PDP in our federal constituency, his chances of coasting to victory is very high.”
So, with the primaries of political parties scheduled for May 2026, supporters and admirers of Bakut are hopeful that he will cross the rubicon, and emerge the candidate of his party – ADC – which at the moment is facing judicial distractions. Unperturbed, Bakut is said to be passionately combing wards, towns, and villages in the federal constituency marketing his ambition, and poaching politicians in the process. Though the APC is largely in control of politics in the Kaduna Central and North Districts, the realities on ground in a few federal constituencies in the South are different. Zango Kataf/Jaba is one. Trouble and crisis are brewing in the APC over its ticket. Understandably, this has opened window for other parties like the ADC; which is attracting new members by the day. If this trend subsists, and the youths galvanize their structures, it will be foolhardy to write off Bakut. How far, and how well he will go towards realizing his political ambition will be clear in the coming weeks and months.
JEDIDIAH AYUBA, is a Jos based Youth Engagement Activist.
