Periscoping President Buhari’s Electoral Triumph In Bauchi. The Man Behind The Victory By Abdulkadir S. Abdulkadir

One of the powerful change agents in Bauchi State you might never have heard of, he is someone who prefers working behind the curtains whilst his impact travel miles, Bauchi was a strategic bloc for All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Buhari and Dr. Danjuma Adamu Dabo, State Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organization has done the task for his party and principal meritoriously.

So who is Dr. Dabo? and how was he able to swim through the murky waters to deny a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) state even 10% votes during the presidential polls?

Born to a noble Fulani family, his humble upbringing prepared him for the challenges of life and flared-up his interest in philanthropy with high interest in education and health care.

A suave politician and seasoned financial yet maritime technocrat who has carved a niche for himself to be known for excellent organisational skills.

With a voracious thirst for knowledge, as attested by his bunch of professional certifications in human resources management and financial field. He holds a Higher National Diploma in accounting from the famous Kaduna Polytechnic, a Master in Business Administration from the premier university in Northern Nigeria plus  additional Master of Sciences in Public Administration and Policy Analysis from University of Abuja before he pocket a PhD in Economics from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Dabo led a successful career in the corporate world, by holding key position in the banking industry and other reputable financial organisations. He also established a smooth and credible career in the Nigerian Maritime Industry, occupying the Executive Director, Administration and Finance (ED A&F) seat at Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

While at NIMASA he was credited for institutionalising staff professionalism, discipline and welfare. His celebrated legacies in NIMASA include among others regularisation of staff promotion, (it is on record, when he took over as ED A&F, some staff were stagnated for over 8 years he ensured their due promotion in accordance with public service statutes) and ensuring prompt payment of salaries and entitlements while he lead the administration and finance unit.

Dr. Dabo was also instrumental to ensuring the collection of presumed ‘bad’ debts owed NIMASA long before they came into office that runs into millions of dollars. His desire was for NIMASA to take its rightful place as a giant revenue generator for the nation.

The Buhari Campaign strategist who generally prefers working in the background used his political strategies and resourcefulness in giving Buhari a legitimate and generous people’s mandate in Bauchi state with over 90% of the total vote cast to his favour despite the presence of the three PDP Musketeers in the state.

In the wake of the electioneering campaigns, Dr. Dabo turned to the youths and technology, he believes that to keep head up the waters in a presidential race from the opposition depth, the campaign had to be run like a multi-lateral consortium, where youthful energies, brains and technology are highly utilised.

Dr. Dabo also considered several other favourable political permutations to lead Buhari to victory among which was developing a Situation Room to monitor the elections even before the National APC Presidential Campaign Council come up with official plan.

He led a One Million Man Walk For CHANGE in the metropolis which was widely reported in social media, online media and other national dailies. As a man that master the art of synergy, he was able to bring all youth organizations supporting General Buhari, the APC and/or the CHANGE Movement under one strong broom ready to sweep for victory.

Another strategic youth engagement was the streets and market stall to stall youth visit, where voters were sensitized and the gospel of change was sold to prospective voters. That mark the beginning of the end of the state ruling party’s sound sleep while reminding APC supporters that change was within reach and attainable.

For us that worked closely with him during the electioneering campaign, our take home experience was enormous in leadership, running a system that works, keeping to time (not consistent with the youth) and never to compromise quality while always reminding us that merit and hard work has its price.

Dr. Dabo has earned himself high praises for Buhari’s emphatic victory in Bauchi State which together with other states ended the 16year old dry-spell of the opposition at the central government.

Dr Dabo will continue to enjoy praises not only for his political strategies in pegging Buhari’s victory but also for his integrity. During his days at NIMASA there were several Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) X-rays and ‘torch-lighting’ on the top management but Dr. Dabo was never found to have fed any goat an ill-gotten yam.

For someone who cleared one of the biggest litmus test of his political career, a praise is but appropriate and one may not rule out a challenging national assignment by the present administration.

Abdulkadir S. Abdulkadir is on twitter @abdul003

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