Why Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha Federal Constituency of Adamawa deserves better representation – Gella

Mohammed Dumama Gella is the founder of Amana FM 88.7 Gella in Mubi South of Adamawa State. He is nursing an ambition to contest for an elective position in 2027. In this interview, he shared the lessons he personally learned from his political contests in the past, governance challenges in the country in relation to how they affect his people, and the urgent need for economic inclusion. BLESSING ADIMABUA brings the excerpts:

You built a distinguished business career in Cameroon and Gabon before venturing into politics. What inspired that transition from business to politics?

Thank you for acknowledging that I built a distinguished business career. It is a healthy recognition and endorsement for me. My business and private experiences especially those garnered from Cameroon and Gabon opened my eyes to many voids in public service receivables and deliverables in Nigeria, particularly how they affect my federal constituency in Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha. So, for me, one of the reasons for the transition, therefore, is my desire to positively impact in Nigeria’s development and the well-being of the citizenry through participation via the application of what has worked elsewhere as well as the implementation of some novel ideas that could work without extant peculiarities.

Also, to get the opportunity to fill some of the identified voids and expand the corridors that would create further better opportunities for my people and millions of Nigerians, especially those living in rural areas.

So, what inspired me to politics is that you cannot do anything nowadays without politics because there is something your money cannot do for your people without political influence. In addition to that, I ran for House of Assembly in 2023 under the All Progressive Congress (APC), but this time around, I am running under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to answer the call of my people to serve them.

Many people described you as a bridge builder who promotes peace and stability in Adamawa State especially in your federal constituency.

How did you cultivate that reputation, and why is it important in the region today?

Firstly, I am a professional and therefore, I view politics as a vocation and a call to service, unlike the prevailing situation of “call to be served.” I’ m not a non-starter and evidently, I’m not desperate for office even when my desire to address the unacceptable poverty and inequality in our clime is at a fanatical level. Against this backdrop, the least I can do is to build partnership and collaborate with all relevant concerns to achieve success and I think therein lies the feeling you have loosely coined bridge-building and I must thank you for this honest feedback. Honestly, I took over peace building nature from my father who helped his people to achieve certain good elements of life and so by the time I started getting something, I started helping my people to get jobs, built bridge in my area in Gella ward and clinic in Mubi and Nasarawa. I also helped to get borehole water for my people; I assisted the young people to establish businesses and do farming. I have also established a radio station in my place called Amana 88.7 FM and online Television.

How would you assess the overall performance of the current administration in Adamawa State, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, security, and economic developments?

With other sub-nationals across the country, Adamawa State is a work in progress and challenges and deficits exist. While some of the challenges are a result of the trickling effects from around the neighbouring states, I am super-confident that the other shortfalls can be mitigated by real cooperation and psychological reorientation and reinforcement of all parties within the communion. I will like to remind the governor about his promises to repair some roads in Mubi axis of the state but up till now nothing has been done by the state government under Governor Fintiri.

From your perspective, what are the most urgent governance challenges facing Adamawa State?

Nigeria must realise that Adamawa State and other states in the North East holds a very big key to truly opening up the country and transitioning Nigeria into a virile nation.

Imagine the high level of insecurity, youth unemployment ravaging the country which is unacceptable to me and other well-meaning Nigerians. In fact, something must have to be done to rescue our nation from sliding down the more into insecurity and unemployment.

Do you believe in the governance and political structure presently in Adamawa State?

No. I don’t believe all because things are not truly in order. Maybe, I believe in 50 percent.

What policy areas do you believe require immediate reforms to unlock the developmental potential of Adamawa State?

Ensuring that the citizens are financially included in alignment with protocols that convert them into virile economic agents.

Mainstreaming youths, young adults and women against the backdrop of a functional understanding of value chain creation and the escalation of our absolute and relative advantages which are numerous. Look, we must tackle insecurity, banditry and youth unemployment to a logical conclusion, if we must get it right and that should be very soon; if not, I don’t know what will happen because people are hungry.

If elected to represent Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha Federal Constituency, what would be your top legislative priorities?

I will open up my constituency as per trade and logistics to create opportunities to get jobs and move away from the failed attempt at youth empowerment by engendering a regime and regimen of youth mainstreaming. Secondly, I will tackle the issue of water scarcity because we are suffering so much and that is a serious challenge in the area.

Nigeria’s politics is often criticised for being personality-driven rather than policy-driven. How would your campaign differ?

In my own case, I have replaced the traditional manifesto with a social contract with the people.

In Amana 88.7 FM Radio, people of different religions and tribes are giving chance to air their views without any restriction. It is also the reason I abhor plutocracy and despise kakistocracy. In the end, someone must bell the cat even if the person becomes a victim at the end so long as the majority is redeemed. I am a willing tool for the needed renaissance.

You have been described as someone committed to peace, unity, and progress in your community.

What specific initiatives have you supported to promote stability and development in Adamawa State?

All. Except those not known to me. Initiatives for peace, unity and progress are easy bait for me.

And that will never change especially my personal efforts to stop youths from been part of insecurity and crime in whatever manner or form. If I must cultivate insurrection to achieve any political mileage, then, it becomes self-seeking and deceptive. I hate trouble in any form and today I settle disputes, even in one police station in my community.

Youth unemployment remains a serious concern across Nigeria. What strategies would you champion to create opportunities for young people in your district?

I told you that I am involved in so many community-related developments and empowerment programmes like job creation in areas like bakery and others. I raise loans for youths and women to establish their own businesses and farming as the case may be.

Outside politics, how do you balance public life with personal interest, family and reflection?

No, no, I don’t have time for “this is my family or whatever”. I have already told you this before. Anybody is my own.

Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, what legacy would you like to leave for the people of Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha Federal Constituency?

We must build our nation, our community and the federal constituency, by that we make living better through enhanced opportunities and merit-based livelihood that rewards both hard work and smart work. According to a book I read, a champion is defined by results achieved and not excuses tendered.