If you ask any politically conscious indigene of Kebbi State about
Prince Ibrahim Mera, a former Deputy Comptroller-General, Nigeria
Customs Service, you will most likely be inundated with some
uninspiring stories that tend to put him in the picture of a serial
loser.
While he was still in the Service, he had aspired to become the number
one customs boss in 2015.
But the coveted position eluded him. Following the loss, he recoiled
into his cocoon.
He, however, ventured into agriculture business later.
Like one who is down but not out, he soon came into the public
consciousness when he signified interest to govern his state of origin.
When he flooded the state with his posters, his critics were quick to
say that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for him to become the number one citizen of the state.
Though it was one dream he had pursued with determination, he failed to
secure the All Progressives Congress’ ticket for the governorship
election in the state.
It was gathered that the billionaire ex-Customs top shot did not pass
the screening organised by the party, thereby foreclosing his ambition
of wresting power from the incumbent governor, Abubakar Bagudu.
Again, he seems to have gone into hiding after his celebrated defeat.
Unknown to many, this is not the first time the six footer billionaire
would suffer defeat.
When the tenure of the former Comptroller-General, Alhaji Abdulahi Inde,
was terminated abruptly by President Muhammadu Buhari last year, many
had looked in the direction of Prince Ibrahim Mera, MFR, a Deputy
Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, as the likely successor.
In fact, it was gathered that many of his friends were already referring
to the him as CG. But this was not to be, as his career also ended when
Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) was appointed Comptroller-General of Customs. He
was among other top officers who turned in their letters of voluntary
retirement from the service. However, those in the know confirmed that
they were actually frustrated out of the organisation.
Consequently, Spyglass gathered that the man, who is described as the
second most important person in Argungun, his home town in Kebbi State,
was vividly angry and dejected.
Unknown to many, this is not the first time his dream had been
shattered. It was revealed that when his father, Alhaji Mohammed Mera ,
the late Emir of Argungun, died, he had hoped to succeed him as Emir of
Argungu, in line with his royal title of Ciroman of Argungu (Crown
Prince). He, however, lost out in the battle of succession to his elder
brother, Samaila Mera, who was allegedly imposed on the Emirate by the
then Military governor of the old Sokoto State under whom he had served
as Commissioner for Water Resources.
Mera is said to have been the choice of their late father. Expectedly,
Mera felt betrayed by the imposition of his elder brother, but he
resigned to fate. Interestingly, Mera, we are told, has since
reconciled with his brother.
