The book
By Our Reporter
Former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has written against money politics in a new book billed to be launched on July 23 in Abuja.
The book is aptly captioned “Poorlitics-The little boy from Goniri and the Progressives’ Manifesto.”
It is co-authored by Sam Agha Egwu.
The co-author told a select group of journalists in Abuja that former Governor Bukar Abba wrote the book to propagate the philosophy that politicians can win elections without emphasizing on money.
He said the book is about practical, project-based, progressive political leadership and people-oriented issues.
Below is a statement by Egwu about the book and launch.
NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN?
In an era of “Not Too Young To Run”, aspiring politicians will do well to look at the politics of Bukar Abba Ibrahim and how he challenged and defeated powerful political leaders to become a Governor. His methods which he describes as “Poorlitics” in a new book was also used by many of our most successful politicians. Those who want to run for office are pre-occupied with making money because of the false belief they need huge amounts of money in a money-oriented political system. This holds back many from venturing into politics.
THE SECRETS OF POORLITICS
Bukar Abba Ibrahim first ran for Governor at the age of 42, with just N20,000 in 1991, against powerful opponents with godfathers, branded vehicles and thugs. He just had friends, with their cars and the people. The people he helped provide the rest of the funds. The people fought attempts to rig him out and he won with a landslide. Since then, Bukar has become one of the most successful Nigerian politicians. He has been elected Governor 3 times in free and fair elections. He has also been elected Senator 3 times. He has a wife who has a been a Commissioner, House of Reps member (3 times) and presently a Minister.
Bukar campaigns with very little funds and no thugs. He left a legacy of zero political thuggery in Yobe state. Many people have wondered about the secrets of his success. He wrote the book “Poorlitics” to explain how he did it. With the people fully behind you, you do not need much money, thugs or godfathers to succeed in politics.
WHY POORLITICS
Nigeria needs a new approach to politics, which is generally seen as a costly investment. To ensure success, many politicians put vast amounts of personal funds into publicity, bribes, thugs, rigging and other expensive practices. Failure could mean being ruined for life. On victory, politicians are often forced to make profit to reward supporters, rather than focus on services to the people.
Poorlitics – the politics of the poor; the politics of mass mobilisation – is about practical, project-based, Progressive Political Leadership. It is practical because it works. It is project-based, because it builds trust, love and support with your people, through practical projects that benefit them. It is progressive, because it is people-oriented. When done consistently for some years before seeking office, and people are convinced of your sincerity, they will give financial support and vote for you repeatedly in democratic elections. It is based on a simple idea. The poor make up the majority. If they are behind you, you need little money and no thugs to defend yourself, your votes and your victory.
BENEFITS
With Poorlitics, elections cost less as the people raise funds to support you. You do not need thugs or rigging to succeed, as the people fight for you. On victory, your primary aim is not to recover funds, or repay godfathers, but to deliver services to the people. As you deliver, they will reward you at elections and in many other ways, increasing your chances of victory in future elections and giving you continuous success through politics.
TRAINING
The book explains in detail how this can be done by any aspiring politician through studying and emulating the life and political experiences of Bukar, and other great progressive political icons recorded in the book such as Zik, Awo, Aminu Kano and other progressive leaders.
If Poorlitics is taught to more people, it could alter the nature of doing politics in Nigeria. We will initiate an educational process that uses the book to teach the principles and methods, to help more people, especially youth with less funds and no godfathers, to win elections and deliver more dividends of democracy to more people.
THE BOOK LAUNCH AND GETTING THE BOOK
Book Launch: 10 am, Monday, 23rd July 2018, Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
You can get the book as a valuable present for your political appointees, associates, subordinates, family and friends interested in a political career. You can also launch the book at the book launch starting from N50,000 and above.
HELPING THE POOR
Part of the proceeds from the book launch will be used for IDPs (refugees), and educating orphans and the poor, as well as training aspiring politicians in Poorlitics.
