From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The former governor of Osun State and the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Director General, Micheal IMOUDU National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, the National Chairman, People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Alhaji Falalu Bello and former Commissioner of Education, Kaduna State, Tom Maiyashi, have tasked Nigerian leaders to emulate the masses oriented leadership style of the former governor of old Kaduna State, late Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa.
Balarabe Musa died three years ago, November 11, 2020 following a protracted illness in his Malali GRA area of Kaduna city.
He was believed to have died as the poorest former governor in the country, leaving behind a miserable sum of N760,000 in his bank account.
Aregbesola in a message to the occasion said, “Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa was a leader of the truly leftist political party, the People Redemption Party (PRP), an organisation genuinely committed to the emancipation of the downtrodden in their formations as workers, farmers, women, youth and the unemployed.
“The right wing people appeared to have had their way then, but we have the last laugh because a people united can never be defeated.
Balarabe Musa remained a formidable influence on the current and coming generation of the people that will ultimately reset our country on the path of true development and progress, to the benefit of majority of the people.
Balarabe Musa and other patriots in the leftist movement thoroughly analysed and scientifically predicted most of the social, political and economic challenges being confronted by the nation and our people were thoroughly analysed and scientifically predicted by decades before their occurrence, which the ruling power and the elite disregarded, to the utmost chagrin and misfortune of the nation.
“Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa paid his dues and his name is etched in the sands of time as a timeless teacher and leader of patriots, progressives and the nationalists who are passionately committed to the emancipation of the down trodden masses of our people.”
Issa Aremu said he had been privileged to engage with Alhaji Balarabe for over 40 years as a student, journalist and trade union activist (almost in-that-order). He was a good friend and enthusiastic supporter of my former Union Textile Workers Union.
“He was my political mentor as a budding progressive politician with amazing memory and recollections. Alhaji Balarabe in 2019 in Kaduna was the first to endorse my Labour Party ( LP) candidature for Kwara State governorship (in his words “99%, but would have been 100 % if you are contesting under PRP platform”!).
“I recall that on the 3rd of July, 2018, compatriots, friends and comrades, nation-wide celebrated the 81st birthday of the late statesman with a book launch entitled “The Voice of the Masses” in Abuja in honour of Dr. Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa. The book chronicles the Life and Politics of Alhaji (DR) Abdul Kadir Balarabe, as seen by compatriots of both the political Left, which Alhaji Balarabe belonged, and the political Right.
“Nigeria, Africa and progressive world had lost an audacious principled selfless statesman. He commendably stood for good principles in governance.
“His house was ever wide open to all 24/7! He was also a philosopher statesman, an avid reader and intellectual debater.
“The struggle of Alhaji Balarabe and many of his compatriots, was for an inclusive better Nigeria, Africa and progressive world. Alhaji Balarabe Musa undoubtedly epitomized the best of values that you can get among the best of the past (and contemporary?) African leaders, that include Late Aminu Kano, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah and Sekou Tuore.
“The best honour to the late statesman is for Nigeria’s ruling class to reinvent politics of principles and sustainable development.
“Alhaji Balarabe was a good friend and comrade of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu! Indeed during his campaign Tinubu was here in Kaduna to see the family of Baba. What would have been the stand of Baba at times like this?
Baba would have been excited today that his friend is the 5th democratically elected President in this dispensation. If Baba were alive he would have called on all of us to support Tinubu Renewed Hope, Eight Points Agenda and deepen democracy!”
On his part, Falalu Bello recalled the last presidential election, saying 2023 presidential election has come and gone with electioneering frauds.
“I see the need for the leftist to come together for 2027 election to mobilise the people to take over power. We don’t have financial resources, but we can mobilise the people. Labour party and PRP must come together to mobilise for the election. I am appealing to the young people. PRP must be committed to move the party. We don’t need money to mobilise. Young ones should take over the party. All the nation’s assets have been sold. Who told you that government cannot run business. We must resist this wasteful policy on our national assets”.
According to Tom Maiyashi, “I believe in Balarabe Musa philosophy of fighting for the masses. It is sad that he is no more. But his spirit lives on. Nigeria must survive. But we must resist every temptation of massive exploitation going on in the country. People are dying of hunger nowadays. PRP was formed in the 50s. It is the only political party that is after the wellbeing of the masses”.