Suleiman Hashim aka ‘The Trekker’, trekked from Lagos to Abuja to drum up support for the then presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC, Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. Here, he tells Daily Trust some of the challenges associated with the popularity which the trek effort exposed him to, and his assessment of the president’s performance as next year’s elections draw closer. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: What’s your means of livelihood?
Suleiman Hashim: I am into fish farming in Niger State.
DT: Would you trek again for President Buhari?
Hashim: I have done it before, so I will not repeat it. That was my contribution to his campaign then and I am still hoping he wins the next general election to continue the change agenda.
DT: Has the All Progressives Congress (APC) ever honoured you after that trek?
Hashim: No, but when I was depressed recently, I wrote to the former and incumbent chairman, the Director General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Chibuike Amaechi and the Secretary General but they have not responded to my plight.
DT: What challenges did you face after the trek made you popular?
Hashim: Many people have been coming to me to demand for things like introduction letter or asking me to assist them get employment. When I tell them that I can’t assist them and that I also need assistance, they become offended and these include relations and friends.
DT: What is the size of your immediate family?
Hashim: I have a wife and a daughter.
DT: Have you been invited by any of the Buhari Campaign Groups?
Hashim: No. I am willing to join the campaign but none has invited me.
DT: What is your assessment of the administration of President Buhari?
Hashim: He is trying to develop Nigeria despite many trials like illness. No president has ever been sick like him in Nigeria but I am glad he has recovered.
DT: Are you interested in contesting for an elective office?
Hashim: It is a known fact that only the rich contest elections in Nigeria. I cannot contest because I don’t have the means as well as the interest now.
DT: Is your popularity opening doors for you?
Hashim: I am not experiencing any preferential treatment due to my popularity. In fact, I am in a dilemma because many believe that I have become popular and rich and do not want to assist others.
DT: What is your advice to your party – the APC?
Hashim: I pledged to trek for President Muhammadu Buhari and I did it. I hope his government would engage those that assisted the party to power and not new people and friends as is being seen today.
DT: What is your assessment of politicians in power?
Hashim: Many politicians forget about the people after they clinch power. They develop their children only and not the society. They must accept that change has come by working not only for their immediate family but the country at large. I am fully behind the government of President Buhari but it’s unfortunate that he is surrounded by saboteurs.
