Interest like any place always permeate the Political atmosphere of Adamawa State. In recent times the political conundrum have sharply divided senior citizens, elders statesmen, along Party divides critical stakeholders of major political parties don’t seems to be in the same page. This has been the perception and the looks from observers of public affairs in and outside the state.

The development has made many to say that there’s political Arch enemity exist in the State, describing the situation to be chunks of politicians binded up in different brooms with cords of enemity that can never be broken or untie for a common Force.

But a civic reception and award ceremony organized by the Gongola people’s forum (GPF) yesterday in Yola however appeared to break the jinx. A sigh of unity and common ground the forum was able to do by bringing together the likes of Barr (Dr) Boss Mustapha CFR NPoM of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and his Predecessor, Engr Babachir David Lawan of the Labor Party (LP).

Others are the Senators Representing Adamawa Northern and Southern Senatorial Districts, Rev Binos Yaroe, Rev Amos Yohanna, the former Governor of Adamawa State, Rt Hon Bala James Ngilari (APC), Sen Ishaku Abbo,the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly Rt Hon Bathiya Wesley and sixteen other Lawmakers. Cultural groups in a show display in different colors of their tribal heritage during the program that lasted for over four hours.

GPF in its grand civic reception and presentation of Honorary awards to its illustrious sons and Daughters at the Mahmud Ribadu Square Yola with the sole aim of uniting the ethnic nationalities in the old Gongola states that comprises Adamawa, Taraba States and beyond was an idea that broke the carmel’s back.

Bringing these high political class of people in Adamawa State who were seen exchanging pleasantries and greasing down their elbows with the oil of brotherhood and fraternities is no doubt a sign that GPF has made a huge success in trying to bind up it disarray people who are from time immemorial have a common force of similar cultures and way of life.

The gathering was however perceived with a lot of disdain, casting aspersions by politicians who have contrary views over the choice of the name “Gongola” that it shouldn’t be the generic name a particular group should adopt for public use in Adamawa being a compound word.

To some of them “Gongola” was created in 1976 and long dead in 1992 with the creation of Adamawa and Taraba States and it shouldn’t be used for any form of social gathering. More so that the right people that fought for the Gongola struggles are not recognized in the GPF organized civic reception.

The poignant response was more of condemnation that appeared to fall on deaf ears of the GPF group, as according to one of the strong member, Babachir that their aim is to unite for the collective good of GPF sons and Daughters and for the overall good of the nation. This has no in any way has any negative consequences to the entire people of Adamawa State. Rather it’s a source of strength for others to lean on to develop the State for the benefit of all.

Babachir while expressing his joy over the success of the program, he extended his thanks to the organization and the leadership of GPF for achieving an outcome that was so successful beyond anyone’s expectation.

He however offered his sympathy “to all those who sought to sabotage this outcome but who are now suffering frustration, shame and embarrassment. The panic among those who feel threatened by this success is palpable but we offer no one an apology just as we owe no one any apology.”

“My amazement and gratitude is at the genius of those who in the first instance, originated the idea of this organization and its launch in this manner and at this auspicious time. In particular, the genius of the crowd funding. For me, it was everyone’s project just as no individual or ethnic group was left out.

“Well done every one and remain determined and focused on the objective as ghost writers have started operating, claiming to be ethnic minorities that have disowned the movement. Such articles we know are from those who for decades have enjoyed oppressing and excluding us. Like cowards that they they have resorted to using pseudo Christian names to hide their identity. Let as learn to identify such and treat them with disdain. You cannot expect to achieve this level of success and not expect opposition through actions that are designed to sabotage our unity and resolve through the sowing discord among us through the deployment of all manner of tactics including through fake news.

“Now the genie is out of the bottle and no can squeeze it back in. Game is on.” Babachir said

GPF grand civic reception to any political students and public analyst is under a high political radar, a scanning watch system has been beamed on them with close marking building to 2027 general elections to see what become of them on the strength of the unity they processed. The question is will this unity stand the test of time? Considering the many saboteurs infiltrated the gathering and the game of of interest that will play along religion, tribal lines, along Party affiliations and along primordial sentiments vested on personal interest? It’s then the struggle of GPF will be scored in the rating of high grade if it’s able to manage her sons and Daughters pass through the coming 2027 elections unhurt (disunited) and scattered.

Tom Garba,PSLC, SPSP, FMIC,FBDFM
A journalist, wrote this Opinion from Yola- Jimeta