Hon. Danladi Baido
Politics in Taraba has many stories. But few are as painful as the story of Hon. Danladi Baido and H.E. Sani Abubakar Danladi.
It is a story of a big brother who gave everything.
And a younger cousin who forgot everything.
THE HAND THAT WAS STRETCHED
Hon. Danladi Baido was not a small name.
For years he stood close to power as a trusted aide to H.E. Rev. Jolly Nyame, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd elected Governor of Taraba State. He knew the corridors. He knew the players. He had access.
At that same time, his maternal relative, Sani Abubakar Danladi, was struggling. Young, eager, but with no structure. All Sani wanted was a chance to contest as Councilor in Bachama Ward. He wasn’t the most popular. He wasn’t the most known.
But Hon. Baido was known for one thing above all: generosity and kindness. He didn’t ask “what can you do for me?” He asked “how can I lift you?”
Through his allies, Baido presented Sani’s case. He pushed. He vouched. And by God’s grace, Sani became an elected Councilor.
That was the beginning.
ONE DOOR AFTER ANOTHER
After Council, Hon. Baido wasn’t done.
He schemed and secured CTC Chairman for Sani for 6 months. The moment that ended, he pulled Sani into his own kitchen cabinet as PA Domestic not because he needed another aide, but because he wanted to protect his own and reduce outsider influence.
All this while, Hon. Baido had his eyes on a bigger prize: Governor of Taraba State 2007.
Sani’s own dream at that time was small. “Let me just be PA to the Governor. Or at least be known as the Governor’s relative.” And Baido was willing to give him even that.
THE SACRIFICE OF 2007
Then came 2007.
Hon. Baido won the PDP primaries in Jalingo landslide. But, he was denied being the flag bearer in Bauchi. You know, politics is cruel. The ticket was taken from him in Bauchi.
The battle moved to Abuja. New calculations were made. H.E. Danbaba Suntai (DDS) emerged as candidate from Taraba Central. At one point DDS wanted his own man as Deputy not HE Sani Contact.
But the slot to produce Deputy from Northern Taraba, and a Muslim, was given to Hon. Danladi Baido.
Now listen carefully.
Baido had many options from the Wurkums who were his long time political allies. Who were Better options. Men like Hon. Habu Isa Ajiya, Hon. Kabiru Pitiko older allies, more experienced, more intellectually sound.
But Baido chose blood over politics.
He chose loyalty over record.
He chose his younger cousin, H.E Sani Abubakar Danladi.
That one decision made H.E Sani Deputy Governor to H.E Danbaba Suntai. Even though DDS wanted Hon. Ali Sani Kona.
Without Hon. Baido, there would be no “Deputy Governor Sani.” Period.
THE TWIST
Years have passed. Power has changed hands.
And now, the same man who was picked up from the woods to councilor aspirant, lifted to CTC Chairman, brought into the kitchen cabinet, and crowned Deputy Governor, who later metamorphosed into Acting Governor for six (6) months. That same man now says with a straight face: “Hon. Baido didn’t make me.”
That is not politics.
That is betrayal.
That is ungratefulness of the highest order.
To deny the hand that fed you.
To erase the name that opened every door for you.
To twist history because it is convenient today.
EPILOGUE
Hon. Danladi Baido’s legacy is kindness without calculation. He lifted people because they were his. Not because they earned it.
H.E. Sani Abubakar Danladi’s story is a warning:
Proximity does not equal loyalty. And elevation does not equal gratitude.
History will remember who built who.
And history will remember who chose to forget.
Hon. Baido made H.E. Sani. To say otherwise is to lie against truth.
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