By Khalid Doya Idris
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, Alh. Garba Muhammad Noma, has declared his readiness to support any credible governorship aspirant from any of the 20 local government areas of the state. Noma, a former state PDP chairman and one-time speaker of the State House of Assembly, made this known while addressing journalists in Bauchi on Monday.
Noma's statement comes on the heels of a recent media report that quoted him as saying the next governor of the state should come from Bauchi Local Government Area (LGA). However, Noma refuted the report, stating that his comments were misinterpreted by the media. "The media sometimes in its presentation cut the size to bring the middle of the communication or at times cut the middle to bring out the two sizes of the body language," he explained.
According to Noma, his original statement was made during the distribution of palliatives by the chairman of Bauchi Local Government Council, Mahmoud Babamaji. When asked about his preference for the next PDP governor, Noma said he replied in Hausa, "Allah shi bamu," which means "God willing." He clarified that his response was not a declaration of support for any particular aspirant from Bauchi LGA, but rather an expression of openness to any credible candidate.
"I don't mean that somebody from Bauchi LGA should be denied that position. What I said, 'Allah shi bamu', if somebody comes from Bauchi LGA with a prayer for Bauchi to have, I think it's wrong for me to say no," Noma stated. He emphasized that his primary concern is to support the best candidate for the job, regardless of their local government area of origin.
Noma reiterated his commitment to supporting any credible PDP governorship aspirant, saying, "But that does not stop me from supporting anybody from any nook and corner of Bauchi state. I have been saying before the governor and stakeholders that may Allah give it to the right person to lead in PDP come 2027." He concluded by saying, "It all defends upon the interpretation, but I am entitled to my opinion, and my opinion can be said anywhere, and that doesn't stop me from supporting anybody from any LGA of the state."