By Aliyu Dangida
Hon. Ibrahim Suleiman Gwiwa, a politician with refute integrity, respected elder stateman cum principled traditional title holder of Ubandoman Kazaure, before he ventured into active politics the last position, he held was Auditor General Jigawa State during the regime of former Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki. His influence and philanthropic gesture earned him recognition from his people to intimate him on the need to venture into politics.
Having accepted their demand, Hon. Ibrahim Gwiwa contested state assembly member representing the good people of Gwiwa constituency and emerged victorious under the People`s Democratic Party (PDP), his tenure has brought the much-needed development and progress to his constituents, testified the facts that now they have a good representation since the emergence of democracy.
On his side, the first-term member representing Gwiwa constituency, Hon Ibrahim Suleiman Gwiwa didn’t relent in his effort to continue with what has taken him to the legislative chamber thereby bringing motion and supporting other bills presented by his colleagues for the betterment of their electorates. His dedication and commitment have made the house’s leadership appoint him as one of the principal officers apart from heading some committees as chairman and member.
However, Hon Gwiwa happened to be one of the longest members who served in the state house of assembly representing the good people of Gwiwa, having served for four consecutive terms, one tenure with former Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, two terms with former Governor Sule Lamido and one term with former Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. During the regime of former Governor Badaru Abubakar he left his party PDP to APC with all his supporters.
During his decampment from PDP to APC, Hon. Gwiwa was quoted as saying, “I moved to APC because of prudent management of the state’s resources by the present administration under Governor Badaru, nobody gave me a penny to join APC. Looking at my age and experience, you will believe there is nothing monetary in my defection to APC”. Said Gwiwa.
Hon. Gwiwa has proved to his people that his style of leadership in politics is not that of do-or-die affairs, having enjoyed the corridor of power for 16 years as elected representative, he wasn’t that power drunk, as such he decided to offer the chance to other politician in his area to come and try their luck. It was in 2019 that he voluntarily withdrew from the race and picked a competent hand to replace him as a member representing Gwiwa constituency and he won the election.
Pundits believe that Hon. Gwiwa has indeed made an indestructible record for a politician to step aside and pick another one, stand for him, and win the election, he proved to the world that he is not a desperate and money-monger politician, his concern is for the welfare of his people. This and many of his political antecedents while in the corridor of power have earned him respect and recognition from both executive and legislative arms of government.
The government of former Governor Badaru after the 2019 elections deemed it necessary to coopt him into the system, he was appointed as Special Adviser on Solar Energy, still after the 2023 election, Hon. Gwiwa will be allowed to rest, the government of Mal. Umar Namadi deemed it necessary to seek the support of people like Gwiwa as such it offered him an appointment as Senior Special Adviser on Assembly Matters having worked in the system, he has a role to play in promoting the mutual working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Many people believe that the secret of Hon, Gwiwa’s success in life is that he is a philanthropic per excellence, a kindhearted and disciplined person, who cannot count the number of individuals he is supporting especially orphans with scholarships which he doesn’t want it to be mentioned.
This is the type of leader people should support while our politicians should emulate their policies, principles, and other philanthropic gestures.
With the above-mentioned exemplary and leadership qualities of Hon. Ibrahim Suleiman Gwiwa (Ubandoman Kazaure) worthy of commendation and emulation, he can be called “The Last Man Standing in Jigawa Politics”.
