Bomba Dauda
The Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Professors Forum, Professor John Gambo Laah, has thrown his weight behind the second term bid of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, describing the lawmaker’s performance in the 10th Senate as commendable while advocating for a generational shift in the region’s political leadership.
Speaking via his Facebook page on the ongoing political conversations surrounding representation in Southern Kaduna, Prof. Laah said every leader should be appreciated for their contributions while also creating room for new talents and ideas to emerge.
According to him, Senator Danjuma Laah was in the 8th and 9th Assembly and he did his best.
“While my brother was in the 8th and 9th Senate, he tried his best and achieved what he achieved based on his capacity and the environment he found himself,” he said.
The university don noted that as an academic and researcher, he strongly believes in mentoring and nurturing younger people for leadership roles rather than recycling political positions among the same individuals.
“The principle of ‘Baba dawo’ implies recycling of ideas and institutions and does not give room for the discovery of other talents because it is based on the false premise that one is the best and no one else can do it,” he stated.
Prof. Laah, however, acknowledged that every citizen has a constitutional right to contest for political office, adding that no one can be denied such a right.
“Unfortunately, we can’t prevent him from exercising his constitutional right. It would have been less traumatic if he was the incumbent and was seeking a third term,” he added.
He further expressed confidence in Senator Katung’s leadership, saying the senator deserves another opportunity to consolidate on his achievements.
“I was really hoping he was going to step down for the Engineers. Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung has done well for the Southern Kaduna people in the 10th Senate. After his second term, we can then begin to talk of the Baba that should come back,” he said.
Reflecting on leadership and succession, Prof. Laah stressed the importance of leaders knowing when to step aside to allow younger generations thrive.
“My prayer right now is, as my children are growing, I do not want to take my chance and their chances too. I should learn to be grateful with what I have achieved in life. I will be sure to leave the arena for them when I have completed mine,” he stated.
He concluded by calling for inclusiveness and shared opportunities in the interest of the region’s growth and development.
“If we are interested in the growth and development of Southern Kaduna, then in the words of Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30, let Monkey chop and let Bamboo chop,” he said.
