There is no argument that Zakari Angulu Dobi (ZAD) was among the first to occupy key leadership positions in Gwagwalada after Obama, point taken, but it must also be stated clearly that even Zad himself knows he did not make Obama.
The truth is, their political journey was not built on one man creating the other; it was a coincidence of circumstance, two individuals whose paths crossed when both their political vehicles broke down, forcing them into the same bus.
During the 2016 FCT chairmanship election, Obama and Zad worked hand in hand, supporting each other through a long and demanding process, it is therefore misleading for any supporter to claim that Zad singlehandedly made Obama, the reality remains that both men faced setbacks.
Zad was pushed out of the APC over his disagreement with the Abu Giri ticket, campaigning strongly from Zuba to Dobi against it, while Obama also exited the PDP after internal disputes over the ticket, their alliance was born out of shared political interest at the time, not superiority of one over the other.
It is also on record that Obama single-handedly brought APGA from Anambra down to Gwagwalada, giving that platform visibility and structure within the area, that move alone reshaped the Gwagwalada political landscape.
So one question that is still begging for an honest answer is this: how much did Zad spend for Obama, compared to what Obama invested in him during the 2018/2019 political season?
Their movement into APGA further strengthened that temporary alignment until around 2018, when Obama returned to the APC, it was within this period that Zad benefitted from Obama’s political cover, gaining the room to re-establish himself within the APC, if not for Obama, his ass could have been kicked, that opportunity gave him the platform to contest for the FCT Senate in 2019 alongside Jisalo.
From transportation logistics to feeding and general campaign expenses, credible accounts point to Obama carried a significant part of that burden.
Even during the House of Representatives race that followed, after loosing the Senate ticket, Obama’s involvement went far beyond endorsement.
From securing the ticket to driving campaign operations and mobilization, Obama’s commitment was visible, on election day in Kwali, he faced real danger while trying to ensure success at the polls, an unforgettable incident that could have ended differently if not for quick intervention.
Tthe truth is that, that level of sacrifice cannot simply be rewritten or ignored, yet today, some narratives attempt to paint Obama as a betrayer, simply because he chose to stand on principles, principles that prioritize competence, inclusion, and fairness.
His support for Kasim Mohammed, (Wakilin Zuba) a Koro son from Zuba Chiefdom, has now become the basis for criticism, but choosing what he believes is right does not erase history, nor does it diminish his role in shaping past victories.
Let them keep talking, history is not silent, and memories are still fresh, we have more than enough to remind those 2022 voters of how things truly played out.
Of the truth, Elections have come and gone, but respect for leadership should not be selective, loyalty must be guided by truth, not convenience, because at the end of the day, those who throw insults should also be prepared to receive them and the full story will always find its way back into the conversation.
Leader no pass leader.
#DanIsah..