By Rayyanu Bala

In recent weeks, a narrative has been circulating among some supporters of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, alleging that many individuals who benefited from his political goodwill during his tenure as governor have now turned their backs on him. These supporters argue that those he uplifted through appointments, patronage, and support failed to reciprocate his benevolence when he needed them most. In their view, Al-Makura has been betrayed.

But this position represents only one side of a complex political reality. A broader and more honest examination suggests that Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura may, in fact, be the architect of his own political misfortunes. True, he had every opportunity to become the undisputed political godfather of Nasarawa State whose influence could span generations. But, the choices he made while in office severely weakened his political structure.

A recurring sentiment among his former allies is that Al-Makura abandoned those who served him at critical moments. When they sought his guidance or support, he was distant. When they expected mentorship, he turned the other way. And when they looked for inclusion, they felt sidelined. In politics, absence is often interpreted as indifference, and indifference breeds resentment. The actions of all those who worked with him and are not with him now were as a result of this resentment.

Ironically, the same formula Al-Makura allegedly applied—use and dump—is now being applied to him. Politics demands consistency, loyalty, and reciprocal relationships. The Hausa proverb captures the whole scenario perfectly: “Mudu da Akayi awo dashing shi, mudu ake awo da shi yanzun.” The same measure a person uses in giving is the same measure used in giving back.

If Senator Al-Makura once measured relationships with expediency, then perhaps those who worked with him are now measuring him with that same yardstick.

This is not to say that betrayal does not happen in politics, it does, and often. But leadership comes with the burden of foresight. A political leader nurtures, protects, and sustains alliances while in office and after leaving office. If those alliances collapse, it is usually a reflection of deeper structural and relational failures, nothing else.

Today, Al-Makura stands at a crossroads. His current predicament is not merely the result of disloyal associates but also a product of decisions he made, people he alienated, relationships he neglected, and political capital he allowed to depreciate.

If there is a lesson here, it is that political relevance is not maintained by past achievements alone. It is sustained by continuous engagement, empathy, and mutual respect. But regrettably, Senator Al-makura has not done anything to ensure continuous engagement with the people who once served him.

Senator Al-makura is my elder brother, I served in his government as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media, during his first tenure and I am really not happy with what’s happening to him politically in Nasarawa State, today. However if the truth must be told, the pendulum has simply swung back in the direction of those who once felt used and discarded.

Indeed, politics will always repay individuals with the same coin they used on others. And Senator Tanko Al-Makura’s story is a sad reminder of that side of politics.