The turbaning of the minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon.
Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi as ‘the Dan-Amanar of Daura’
in Daura, Katsina State, the home town of President
Muhammadu Buhari, added a fresh dimension to the race
for the 2023 presidential ticket in the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
Amaechi was last Saturday turbaned by the Emir of Daura,
Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, with the most prestigious
traditional title for his outstanding contributions to the
emirate and the reforms witnessed in the nation’s
transport system amidst pomp and pageantry.
Some of the reforms include the Kano – Daura – Katsina
rail line which terminates at Maradi, the Niger Republic
and the ongoing construction of the University of
Transportation in Daura.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq, while justifying the
title bestowed on the Transportation Minister, during the
ceremony held at the royal palace in Daura, said, “Daura
Emirate does not confer titles on people because of
money. The Emirate considers the services rendered to
humanity by whoever he wants to honour.
“The Kano-Daura-Katsina rail line which will terminate at
Maradi and the Federal University of Transportation,
Daura, would bring us benefits in the education of our
youths, create employment for our teeming youths and
socio-economic development of our community and that
of Nigeria. It is because of all these that we are honoring
him with the title.”
On his part, President Buhari described the conferment of
the title on Amaechi as a clear commitment to the
harmonious relationship between the nation’s diverse
cultures.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the President as
commending Amaechi “for working with enormous energy
to make the change we promised Nigerians a reality,”
saying “the change we are witnessing in the transport
sector is an extraordinary legacy.”
Nevertheless, some pundits aver that the essence of the
title of Dan-Amanar Daura which means, “the Trusted Son
of Daura”, especially at a time like this, inadvertently gives
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, some political
mileage of sorts.
For those who argue in this light, they say that although
the president was not present at the event, it could be a
subtle endorsement of the minister’s presidential bid from
the presidential Villa.
They also say that with “Daura, being the administrative
headquarters of Hausaland”, Amaechi may well be the
preferred candidate of the northern people. This is in spite
of the fact that Amaechi has yet to declare for the
position unlike some other party chieftains.
So far however, former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu;
Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; Former Imo governor,
Rochas Okorocha; former Abia Governor, Senator Orji Uzor
Kalu; business mogul, David Ayom are among those that
have publicly indicated interest to contest the 2023
presidential ticket of the party.
While businessman and APC chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-
Hassim, had said he will make a formal declaration after
the APC national convention, Nigerians await the formal
declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Amaechi;
Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and minister of
state for Education, Hon Emeka Nwajuiba for the top seat.
However, the Daura ceremony became a political rally of
sorts, considering the calibre of persons, political groups
and remarks by some few individuals.
Groups like Frontier for Peace and Unity (FPU), Amaechi
2023 Agenda and Northern Grassroots Mobilization,
drummed support for an Amaechi presidential bid in 2023.
Notable political figures also attended the event. Among
the personalities are Governor Aminu Bello Masari of
Katsina State; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alhaji
Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Dutse; Erin Edit Ekong,
Chairman of Cross Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council;
Lamido Sunusi, Magajin Garin Kano; Chukwuemeka
Nwajiuba, minister of state for Education; and the minister
of state for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.
Others are Okechukwu Enelamah, former Minister of State
for Trade and Investment; Alhaji Yusuf Tukur Buratai;
Mallam Isa Yuguda, former Bauchi Governor; Alhaji Musa
Haro, District Head Dumurkol, Alhaji Yusuf Buhari; District
Head of Kwasarawa, Alhaji Bashir Jamo; director general
of NIMASA and Alhaji Muhammadu Koko, among others.
Amaechi’s title did not come as a surprise to analysts, like
Maxwell Obiekwu, especially when one considers that “he
served as director-general of Muhammadu Buhari
Campaign Organisation in 2015 and in 2019. Beyond the
fact that he delivered on those mandates, it takes a
measure of trust to entrust such a position to a person
twice.”
The regional debate….
Nevertheless, the turbaning of Amaechi has heightened
the intrigues over where the presidential ticket of the party
might swing to.
Although the entire south has been clamouring for the
presidential ticket to be zoned to the region, there has
been subtle contest among the three zones in regions for
the ticket.
While the array of presidential hopefuls from the South-
East and South-West regions, had put these two regions
in the fore of the clamour, the Amaechi prospects appears
to be altering the notion that the South South shouldn’t
also take a shot at the top seat.
But the zoning debate gets more interesting. Although
Amaechi identifies as a Igbo man even as someone from
the South South region, a group, South East Patriots, led
by Sir Obunike Ohaegbu, argues that “We believe that it
would be insensitive to the agitation of the South East for
anyone in the South-South or South-West to present
themselves for the Presidency at this time. We in the SEP
will consider such aspiration as being offensive to the
sensitivities of the people of the South East.”
But in a counter-argument, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Worldwide, believes that the traditional title of ‘Dan
Amanar Daura’ conferred on the Amaechi by the Daura
Emirate in Katsina State has brightened the chance of
Igbo nation for the 2023 presidential race.
The organisation in a statement by its secretary general,
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described Amaechi as the
beloved son of Igbo nation who has strengthened the
cordial relationship between the North and Eastern
Nigeria by accepting the title.
It stated further that Amaechi’s pan Nigerian postures as
minister for transportation had strengthened the cordial
relationship between the North and Eastern Nigeria and
the opportunity for the emergence of a New Nigeria
anchored on justice and equity.
This, the group said, is because the quest for 2023 Igbo
Presidency accommodates all prominent sons and
daughters from all Igbo speaking areas including Delta
and Rivers states.
While the minister remains silent on his next moves ahead
of the 2023 elections, the permutations within the party
and the entire polity are still unfolding.
How the zoning debate swings especially within the south
region will be instructive for the presidential hopefuls in
the region.
But pundits aver that recognising the minister as a trusted
son of the strategic traditional power base like the Daura
Emirate is quite significant.

Leadership newspaper.