By Chidi Obineche

All the calculations made last week that Adamawa State Governor Jubrilla Bindow will quit the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and team up with his acclaimed political associate Abubakar Atiku came crashing with a thud this week when he opted to stay put. Bindow had publicly denounced his perceived defection. He said;” The former vice president is more than mature enough to decide whatever he wants to decide for himself…… So I am in APC for the rest of my life, period.”

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His revalidation of his APC membership came against the backdrop of a massive mobilization of his associates by the former vice president in the North-east geo-political zone. Bindow, who apparently was effusive, may have anchored his decision on the premise that when your reasons to stay put outweigh your excuses for moving forward, you will stay put. He understands the signs and language of motions, he believes just like the famous artist, Steven Pinker did many years ago that “we are visual creatures. Visual things stay put, whereas sounds fade.” Atiku’s resignation from APC, in his view merely equates with the shrill and cacophony of a wave which lacks the capacity to uproot the immovable. He is enkindling a flame that burns on both ends and picks choices. Remarkably, the governor is looking past the chaos of Atiku’s resignation from the party he situated himself as a founding father. He demonstrates in good breadth that there are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you, and there are times to reach out elsewhere groping to find such a thing. Bindow is talking of the beauty of staying head–up, strong and like a diamond not easy to break. He is not afraid of losing himself in order to please   or pander to what he may consider a rolling associate or godfather. He is taking the high road to his goals and repudiates in strong words unputdownable storms. This is the testimony of the man who will not waiver like weasels, or like Gemini and butterflies always flutter about. He may have learnt a few things from the futility of a rolling stone gathering moss.  Perhaps, beyond the rays and rage of the moment, Bindow knows that true strength is being able to hold it together when everyone is expecting you to fall apart. And when a man knows he can’t change the people around him, but can make do with the people he chooses to be with, his stance remains rock- solid, impenetrable. We know from his decision that when life gives you lemons, you keep them. When he takes the memory lane on how the APC started, he is merely reminding us that when you think about quitting, think about why you started. As he looks to be sure footed and glued with President Muhammadu Buhari, he is certainly hooked on yesterday’s victory and reassures himself that every strike brings him closer to the next home run. His eyes are watching 2019. And he says it so bluntly you can smoke the truth and determine the twitching of his eyes.  He is at his strongest when he should be at his weakest, given the close association he has had with Atiku and the emotions that go with parting. And just like the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once observed, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks”. He stands firm, because he believes he is in the right place.

He was born on June 16, 1963 in Adamawa State. Prior to his foray into politics he was businessman who became the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the April 9, 2011 senatorial election for the Adamawa North district and became a senator. He is known for his philanthropy and for empowering youths.   In Mubi town where “Bindowo” as he is popularly called was born and raised, he played leadership roles even as a child. After his secondary school education at Government Science Secondary School, Mangu, Plateau State, he travelled to Britain where he obtained Certificate and Diploma certificates in Business Studies. He is married with children.