On February 3, 2009, Daily Trust featured a story with the above title. In the story, Engineer Bello A. Sulaiman, the executive vice chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), was said to have informed of the PHCN management’s directive banning all it’s workers from using electric generators at their residences. He said the decision is to remind the workers of their responsibilities.
According to the CEO as reported in the story, the decision … will ginger up the workers to face the battle of electricity outrage with passion, adding that “Let us feel the consequences first before any other customer. We owe it a duty not to have generators in our houses for cadres of staff. We believe this will remind us on our responsibilities anytime there is no light”.
The management of PHCN should be commended for such a laudable initiative. Our leaders at the federal, state and local government levels should be the first to adopt and implement this directive. The administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s decision to include the provision of stable and constant electricity supply in its 7-point agenda, though an admission of failure, is also commendable.
The necessity and relevance of power supply to the development of all sectors of human endeavor in our present times make it the starting point for nations to attain greatness. Specifically, lack of constant supply of electricity is major factors that have led to closure of many industries that had in the past provided employments to hundreds of thousands of Nigerians. Those in operation are finding it difficult to cope due to the high cost of running generators for their production. It also led to inflation as providers of services do add extra cost to consumers. The life of the Nigerian has been made miserable as they spent their nights in darkness.
Nigerians have been waiting for decades praying and hoping that someday, this country will attain the level of interrupted power supply as obtainable in other countries. It is sympathetic to note that some of our neighbouring countries do spent years without interruption in power supply. Governments do come and go promising to solve the electricity problem, but they have woefully failed in that sector. The present administration also promised to fix the electricity problem, but with almost two years in power Nigerians have not seen much improvement in the sector.
Perhaps one of the reasons that have made Nigerian leaders not to concentrate on solving the electricity problem is that they never stay in their offices and residences without electric generators, which run for almost 24 hours every day. The availability of the electric generators which provide them with constant light and the ability to use their electrical gadgets have made them to forget the rest of the Nigerian populace who are living in darkness.
It is high time Nigerian leaders felt the plight of the masses, which is the message contained in that directive given to PHCN workers. Leaders should live and lead by example. Leadership is all about sacrifice, so that in the end, the followers will have the basic necessities of life.
For President Yar’adua to be successful in fulfilling his campaign promises among which is the provision of constant electricity, he should as a matter of national urgency issue directive banning the use electric generators in his office, residence, guest houses and wherever he attends public functions. The same directive should be extended to all federal ministries, agencies and parastatals all over the country and the residences of all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, executive directors etc.
On the part of National Assembly, the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives should also issue such directives against using electric generators within the assembly complex and residences of all Senators and Members of the House of Representatives.
At the state level, governors should issue directives of ban of using electric generators in their respective state houses and same applied to commissioners, lawmakers, chairmen, councilors and top government officials in the states.
The ban on the use of electric generators to be more effective in helping the government arriving within the shortest time possible solution to lack of constant electricity in Nigeria, the ban should be extended to, if possible, banks, airports, media houses, five star hotels and filling stations. May be it is because some of the important institutions in our day to day life also resort to the use of electric generators that the government also feel relaxed to finally find a lasting solution to electricity problem.
Among the reasons that made late Sheik Umaru Ta’ambu to be loved by the people of Kano was that though a very rich merchant, he has said in so many interviews that he never uses his electric generator because he was comfortable having electric power while his neighbours and masses in the locality cannot afford same. As a result, he preferred staying in the dark in solidarity with the masses.
If the government is really serious about provision of constant electricity to Nigerians, it should ban the importation of generators. All sorts of generator sets are being imported into our country, making Nigeria, arguably, the nation with the highest import of generating sets. Going round major streets all over the country will show that many shops sell generator sets. The government can send a strong signal to Nigerians that it is about to provide constant and stable electricity by banning the importation of generator sets.
With the present global economic recession threatening many countries of the world, banning the use of generator sets will make our government save a lot of money that can be used to provide qualitative education and equipped health centres. The amount of money spent by government to buy diesels and servicing runs into several millions of naira. The ban can also make government to make some money through selling off of all the generator sets used in government offices and residences of its officials.
May be Nigerians should adopt non usage of generators as a criteria to support candidates in future elections. This will show candidates the need to bring about a positive change in the power sector for the benefit of all.
Those in position of authority should seize the initiative by enforcing the ban on the use of electric generators. Like the PHCN staff, the ban will remind those at the helm of affairs of their responsibilities one of which is to provide constant and stable electricity supply to the people of Nigeria.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Friday, 20 February 2009
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Politicians and Politics of Decamping
The recent decamping by Zamfara state governor Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi from ANPP to PDP have once again raised the dust on the morality of politicians switching parties, which most political analysts view as self-preservation and furthering of self interest in the political arena. The decamping bug seems to have sting the opposition ANPP more presently and there are speculations that the remaining ANPP governors may soon decamp to the ruling PDP.
This has led many prominent ANPP members to deny the speculation of decamping either to PDP or any other party. On his part Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the governor of Kano state was quoted to have said that:” I sear to Almighty God, that even if I will be the last person to remain in ANPP, I will not decamp to any party. I rather resign from politics completely than to betray the trust given to us by Kano people on the platform of ANPP”. And he also remains the only ANPP governor in the North-west and it is also the zone that President Umaru Musa Yar’adua comes from, and Kano happens to be the centre of not only economic base but also the political hub of the whole of Northern Nigeria . If wishes were horses Yar’adua would have rode because of the hope that his party PDP will win Kano in 2011 elections.
Nigerian politics and politicians are flexible as such decamping, cross carpeting; sitting on the fence and sentiments constitutes the features of our present day politicians. With the inception of democratic rule from 1999, so many politicians have decamped with highest numbers of decampees before the 2003 elections from AD to PDP and majority of them are legislators at the national assembly. Late Alhaji Mala Kachalla, the former governor of Borno state, also decamped from ANPP to AD.
Sitting on the fence caused Prince Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi state, Late Admiral Mohammed Lawal (Rtd), former governor of Kwara state, and Alhaji Abubakar Hashidu, former governor of Gombe state, all former governors under the platform of ANPP to lose their seats in 2003 elections. And sentimental support of all former AD governors, with exception of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos state, also led them to lose their seats in the course of assisting their kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to have a second term.
Also , before the 2007 elections , former governors Saminu Turaki of Jigawa state and Adamu Aliero of Kebbi state , decamped from ANPP to PDP and are now Senators with the later now serving as FCT minister. Governors Jonah Jang, Murtala Nyako, Magatakarda Wammako , Aliyu Akwe Doma , Saidu Dakingari are all former gubernatorial candidates of ANPP or card-carrying members, but after their decamping to PDP they achieved their ambitions of becoming respective governors of their states. Also Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state decamped from PDP to ANPP, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state decamped from PDP to PPA and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state from AD to AC. While former Governors Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa decamped from ANPP to DPP, Orji Uzo Kalu from PDP to PPA and Bola Tinubu from AD to AC. And even the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, decamped from PDP to AC to contest for 2007 presidential elections.
The list of decampees is long from member of state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate. Also among prominent decampees are Prince Vincent Ogulafor , Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Audu Ogbeh , Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Hajiya Najatu Mohammed , Madam Titi Ajanaku , Senator Florence Ita Giwa , Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba , Late Chief Chuba Okadigbo , Late Chief Harry Marshall , Mr. Boni Haruna , Chief Joshua Dariye, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Dr. Chris Ngigie , Dr. Usman Bugaje, Senator Joseph Waku to mention but a few.
Decamping is not a big deal in the present Nigerian politics especially that the parties have no ideological bases as such politicians will continue to decamp as they continue to find suitable platforms to pursue their political ambitions. And decamping in Nigeria becomes necessary to politician if they feel that their party is going contrary to what they stand for or their party has treat them unfairly , which is the norm with most parties during primary elections a they are not free and fair.
Ideally it is not right for politicians to keep decamping, but there are times and situations that decamping is the right thing to do. We only raise eyebrows when a politician decamps to PDP not the other way round. Presently the supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari are calling on him to decamp from ANPP to another party which he is still reluctant, but has promised to decamped only when he cannot send Ume-Ezeoke/Kumo & co out of the party. Even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after declaring his intention to contest for presidency in 2011 has not stated on which political platform he will contest the election.
Before now and 2011 elections Nigerians will again witness more decampings especially those to the ruling party , the PDP, which many prominent Northerners in the party are advocating for to enable President Yar’adua have a second term . It has been anticipated that most decamping to PDP will be from Northern part of Nigeria . The opposition AC will also receive a lot of decampees into its fold as it can serve as an alternative to challenge the ruling PDP. The party that will be most hit by mass exodus of decampees will be the ANPP presently listed among the opposition parties for administrative convience only.
When will our politicians stop decamping even when the party they left had provided for them a platform from which they occupy public offices? Are our political parties ideologically oriented or are just platforms to contest for public office? May be if we happen to be beyond the above stated questions our democracy will grow and provide a platform for all Nigerians to partake in nation building.
Presently, Nigerians should have a rethink about decampings as many have been frustrated by their own political parties, while others cannot realize their political ambition presently under their political parties. Some political parties, the way they are, will never provide the platform for effective opposition during next elections. As such for now, our politicians should be free to decamp either to other parties or new parties they may form.
We should accept that our parties are in the process of evolution as the dominant parties i.e PDP and ANPP are created with the purpose of taking over power from the military junta in 1999. Political parties created during the present democratic dispensation i.e. AC, PPA and APGA can have outlooks and internal mechanisms not similar to parties with purpose of taking over from the military.
Can General Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, Dim Chukwumeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Prof Pat Utomi and their likes, decamp to a single party so as to confront the PDP as it is getting an upper hand toward turning Nigeria to a one-party state and its agenda for ruling Nigeria for 60 years? If politicians in the opposition are really serious about taking over from the PDP, then they have to do it together as a collective responsibility.
Nigerians should, at the present, not complain or frown at decamping. , rather they should even encourage it at this moment. Our politicians in the opposition should not relent in their efforts to woo others into their fold. Decampings should not be an issue when PDP is the party presently benefiting more, someday some other parties might enjoy enlargement of its fold with many decampees into their party.
Politicians in the opposition should be seen to be serious about playing their roles in our democratic dispensation. They should be on the field selling their parties to the general public, but not making any effort to win any to their sides and start complaining and crumbling that :” We are heading toward a one party -state will not solve the problem. Folding our arms is not the solution, let’s make this season a period of decamping to a platform that can stop our country to become a one-party state”.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
This has led many prominent ANPP members to deny the speculation of decamping either to PDP or any other party. On his part Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the governor of Kano state was quoted to have said that:” I sear to Almighty God, that even if I will be the last person to remain in ANPP, I will not decamp to any party. I rather resign from politics completely than to betray the trust given to us by Kano people on the platform of ANPP”. And he also remains the only ANPP governor in the North-west and it is also the zone that President Umaru Musa Yar’adua comes from, and Kano happens to be the centre of not only economic base but also the political hub of the whole of Northern Nigeria . If wishes were horses Yar’adua would have rode because of the hope that his party PDP will win Kano in 2011 elections.
Nigerian politics and politicians are flexible as such decamping, cross carpeting; sitting on the fence and sentiments constitutes the features of our present day politicians. With the inception of democratic rule from 1999, so many politicians have decamped with highest numbers of decampees before the 2003 elections from AD to PDP and majority of them are legislators at the national assembly. Late Alhaji Mala Kachalla, the former governor of Borno state, also decamped from ANPP to AD.
Sitting on the fence caused Prince Abubakar Audu, former governor of Kogi state, Late Admiral Mohammed Lawal (Rtd), former governor of Kwara state, and Alhaji Abubakar Hashidu, former governor of Gombe state, all former governors under the platform of ANPP to lose their seats in 2003 elections. And sentimental support of all former AD governors, with exception of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos state, also led them to lose their seats in the course of assisting their kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to have a second term.
Also , before the 2007 elections , former governors Saminu Turaki of Jigawa state and Adamu Aliero of Kebbi state , decamped from ANPP to PDP and are now Senators with the later now serving as FCT minister. Governors Jonah Jang, Murtala Nyako, Magatakarda Wammako , Aliyu Akwe Doma , Saidu Dakingari are all former gubernatorial candidates of ANPP or card-carrying members, but after their decamping to PDP they achieved their ambitions of becoming respective governors of their states. Also Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state decamped from PDP to ANPP, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state decamped from PDP to PPA and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state from AD to AC. While former Governors Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa decamped from ANPP to DPP, Orji Uzo Kalu from PDP to PPA and Bola Tinubu from AD to AC. And even the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, decamped from PDP to AC to contest for 2007 presidential elections.
The list of decampees is long from member of state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate. Also among prominent decampees are Prince Vincent Ogulafor , Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Audu Ogbeh , Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Hajiya Najatu Mohammed , Madam Titi Ajanaku , Senator Florence Ita Giwa , Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba , Late Chief Chuba Okadigbo , Late Chief Harry Marshall , Mr. Boni Haruna , Chief Joshua Dariye, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Dr. Chris Ngigie , Dr. Usman Bugaje, Senator Joseph Waku to mention but a few.
Decamping is not a big deal in the present Nigerian politics especially that the parties have no ideological bases as such politicians will continue to decamp as they continue to find suitable platforms to pursue their political ambitions. And decamping in Nigeria becomes necessary to politician if they feel that their party is going contrary to what they stand for or their party has treat them unfairly , which is the norm with most parties during primary elections a they are not free and fair.
Ideally it is not right for politicians to keep decamping, but there are times and situations that decamping is the right thing to do. We only raise eyebrows when a politician decamps to PDP not the other way round. Presently the supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari are calling on him to decamp from ANPP to another party which he is still reluctant, but has promised to decamped only when he cannot send Ume-Ezeoke/Kumo & co out of the party. Even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after declaring his intention to contest for presidency in 2011 has not stated on which political platform he will contest the election.
Before now and 2011 elections Nigerians will again witness more decampings especially those to the ruling party , the PDP, which many prominent Northerners in the party are advocating for to enable President Yar’adua have a second term . It has been anticipated that most decamping to PDP will be from Northern part of Nigeria . The opposition AC will also receive a lot of decampees into its fold as it can serve as an alternative to challenge the ruling PDP. The party that will be most hit by mass exodus of decampees will be the ANPP presently listed among the opposition parties for administrative convience only.
When will our politicians stop decamping even when the party they left had provided for them a platform from which they occupy public offices? Are our political parties ideologically oriented or are just platforms to contest for public office? May be if we happen to be beyond the above stated questions our democracy will grow and provide a platform for all Nigerians to partake in nation building.
Presently, Nigerians should have a rethink about decampings as many have been frustrated by their own political parties, while others cannot realize their political ambition presently under their political parties. Some political parties, the way they are, will never provide the platform for effective opposition during next elections. As such for now, our politicians should be free to decamp either to other parties or new parties they may form.
We should accept that our parties are in the process of evolution as the dominant parties i.e PDP and ANPP are created with the purpose of taking over power from the military junta in 1999. Political parties created during the present democratic dispensation i.e. AC, PPA and APGA can have outlooks and internal mechanisms not similar to parties with purpose of taking over from the military.
Can General Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, Dim Chukwumeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Prof Pat Utomi and their likes, decamp to a single party so as to confront the PDP as it is getting an upper hand toward turning Nigeria to a one-party state and its agenda for ruling Nigeria for 60 years? If politicians in the opposition are really serious about taking over from the PDP, then they have to do it together as a collective responsibility.
Nigerians should, at the present, not complain or frown at decamping. , rather they should even encourage it at this moment. Our politicians in the opposition should not relent in their efforts to woo others into their fold. Decampings should not be an issue when PDP is the party presently benefiting more, someday some other parties might enjoy enlargement of its fold with many decampees into their party.
Politicians in the opposition should be seen to be serious about playing their roles in our democratic dispensation. They should be on the field selling their parties to the general public, but not making any effort to win any to their sides and start complaining and crumbling that :” We are heading toward a one party -state will not solve the problem. Folding our arms is not the solution, let’s make this season a period of decamping to a platform that can stop our country to become a one-party state”.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Sunday, 14 December 2008
WHEN WILL NIGERIANS GET IT RIGHT?
Most Nigerians, even those in position of authority do admit that things are not right. Even with abundant human and natural resources , poverty, illiteracy ,corruption, lack of adequate social amenities just to mention a few are some of the features all over the country. Problems bedeviling Nigeria and Nigerians have made every Nigerian with exception of those in authority to become critics without the sincerity of providing alternative solution and the attempt to put things in order.
Nigerian history relates to us how our people struggled to end colonialism with the hope that with Nigerians at helm of affairs their living conditions will be better. After independence , due to ethnicity, sectionalism , power tussle , internal wrangling and differences paved the way for military intervention which brought more hardship and changed the destiny and fortunes of the Nigerian people as they even fought a unprepared war to hold the country together which led to lost of lives of hundred of thousands of Nigerians and their properties.
With the military in power after toppling the First Republic criticizing continues to the present dispensation as many Nigerians are always not satisfied with any government in power. They only evaluate governments when it is no longer in power as they always praise the previous government as much better than the present occupiers of political office. So also they give legitimacy to whoever bulldozed his ways to occupy the highest office in the country rather through the barrel of the gun or stolen mandate. With the exception of first and second republics, Nigerians have never gotten the opportunity to actively participate and have their yearnings and aspirations reflected in the kind of leadership they have, the rest either rob Nigerians of their constitutional rights through forcefully taking over power with the gun or those imposed on them without their consent through “arrangee democracy” or massively rigging of election.
Even though most Nigerians believed that bad and undedicated leadership is the central point of most of our problems. Why is it that the critics of yesterday when opportune to lead becomes worse off than those they criticize when in power? Where does all those good ideas and vision they have for the country go to when they have political power? Why do they forget easily the privileges they had free of charge and today they are advocating and implementing policies for removal of most subsidies for Nigerians to enjoy? Most Nigerian leaders are critics of previous administrations and regimes, and when saddle with leadership other Nigerians do also criticize them for their style of leadership.
Are Nigerians really sincere in the much talked about change they are advocating for? When will they actively participate in bringing the right type of leadership they could trust to change their fortunes? When will the arm chair criticism, idle talk and gossiping will be replaced with action in terms of actively participating in our democratic process to provide the desired changed?
Right from Councillorship, Chairmanship, representatives in both States and Federal level, governorship and Presidency, how many Nigerians are really involved in their emergence in the first place? How many Nigerians are card carrying members of our various political parties? The work have been left to some individuals who have changed the meaning of democracy to self service who from emergence of candidates field the highest bidder or those that will serve their whims and caprices. And after their emergence we keep on complaining and criticizing them, while in the first place they do not truly represent our interest rather their own interest and those of their collaborators who propel them to the political office they occupied.
The bulk of Nigerians that can provide quality and progressive leadership especially on the local level do not participate due to conflict of interest The political space have been left to school dropouts at the councillorship level, while other positions have been left to pensioners, retrenched or down sized workers, self employed and those running errands for their parents and masters. Many Nigerians with the education, capability, experience and know how on politics and governance out of fear not to loose their carriers due to the nature of Nigerian politics shy away in active partisan politics.
The fear and uncertainty about loosing one’s carrier have been denying Nigerians many capable hands that can bring about positive change in our governance. While other Nigerians indifference in participating actively also contributed in providing the type of leadership we have today. Criticism is the easier thing most Nigerians can do as even in their wards they neither participate nor even know how their Councilors emerged. It is always after election or selection that they will start complaining and grumbling that their Councilor is a school drop out, tout, delinquent, area boy, jobless, drug addict e.t.c, then how can such a person truly represent them, protect their interests and help in bringing about development to the grass roots?
The Nigerian people must all act what we preach from our leaders to the followers. We always talk about our problems, but we never sincerely act to set things right. We lie, cheat, exploit, hate ourselves while at the same time we expect our leaders to do otherwise. We are also great pretenders as things are not moving in our favour we criticize, but immediately we are opportune we still follow the path of those we always criticize. We are also part of our own problems, as we assist and support in election rigging as those we accuse of the rigging are not on the field on election days, also we accord undue honour and respect to those we know got their wealth through treasury looting and close our eyes due to religious, sectional and tribal sentiment to those we knew are not competent or capable of providing the desired leadership for growth and development of our wards, towns, states and nation in general.
We will only get it right when we are sincere to ourselves and stop pretending. Our laws should be made to give opportunities to every Nigerian in our democratic process through encouraging the bulk of dedicated and educated citizens the right to actively participate in partisan politics than to let the field to mere opportunists. To fight the scourge of poverty and corruption the living standard of ordinary Nigerians should be lifted to international standard.
And when we talk about democracy, good governance, rule of law and free and fair elections, all Nigerians should be sincere in the implementation. The burden is not only on the ruling party to implement, other opposition parties should also be sincere through conducting free and fair elections in their domains. While the Nigerian people on the other hand should endeavor to live by example through shunning any form of collaboration with the political class to rig elections, impose unpopular candidates and seeking for personal favours from politicians rather than demand for implementation of policies and works that will benefit all.
Until when all Nigerians , feel that they have a stake in their nations development, we will continue to day dream and having false hopes of our dreams for national development. It is not late if we are sincere to make sure that things are getting right in Nigeria as every individual have a quota to contribute that can make Nigeria go hand in hand with the develop nations of the world.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Nigerian history relates to us how our people struggled to end colonialism with the hope that with Nigerians at helm of affairs their living conditions will be better. After independence , due to ethnicity, sectionalism , power tussle , internal wrangling and differences paved the way for military intervention which brought more hardship and changed the destiny and fortunes of the Nigerian people as they even fought a unprepared war to hold the country together which led to lost of lives of hundred of thousands of Nigerians and their properties.
With the military in power after toppling the First Republic criticizing continues to the present dispensation as many Nigerians are always not satisfied with any government in power. They only evaluate governments when it is no longer in power as they always praise the previous government as much better than the present occupiers of political office. So also they give legitimacy to whoever bulldozed his ways to occupy the highest office in the country rather through the barrel of the gun or stolen mandate. With the exception of first and second republics, Nigerians have never gotten the opportunity to actively participate and have their yearnings and aspirations reflected in the kind of leadership they have, the rest either rob Nigerians of their constitutional rights through forcefully taking over power with the gun or those imposed on them without their consent through “arrangee democracy” or massively rigging of election.
Even though most Nigerians believed that bad and undedicated leadership is the central point of most of our problems. Why is it that the critics of yesterday when opportune to lead becomes worse off than those they criticize when in power? Where does all those good ideas and vision they have for the country go to when they have political power? Why do they forget easily the privileges they had free of charge and today they are advocating and implementing policies for removal of most subsidies for Nigerians to enjoy? Most Nigerian leaders are critics of previous administrations and regimes, and when saddle with leadership other Nigerians do also criticize them for their style of leadership.
Are Nigerians really sincere in the much talked about change they are advocating for? When will they actively participate in bringing the right type of leadership they could trust to change their fortunes? When will the arm chair criticism, idle talk and gossiping will be replaced with action in terms of actively participating in our democratic process to provide the desired changed?
Right from Councillorship, Chairmanship, representatives in both States and Federal level, governorship and Presidency, how many Nigerians are really involved in their emergence in the first place? How many Nigerians are card carrying members of our various political parties? The work have been left to some individuals who have changed the meaning of democracy to self service who from emergence of candidates field the highest bidder or those that will serve their whims and caprices. And after their emergence we keep on complaining and criticizing them, while in the first place they do not truly represent our interest rather their own interest and those of their collaborators who propel them to the political office they occupied.
The bulk of Nigerians that can provide quality and progressive leadership especially on the local level do not participate due to conflict of interest The political space have been left to school dropouts at the councillorship level, while other positions have been left to pensioners, retrenched or down sized workers, self employed and those running errands for their parents and masters. Many Nigerians with the education, capability, experience and know how on politics and governance out of fear not to loose their carriers due to the nature of Nigerian politics shy away in active partisan politics.
The fear and uncertainty about loosing one’s carrier have been denying Nigerians many capable hands that can bring about positive change in our governance. While other Nigerians indifference in participating actively also contributed in providing the type of leadership we have today. Criticism is the easier thing most Nigerians can do as even in their wards they neither participate nor even know how their Councilors emerged. It is always after election or selection that they will start complaining and grumbling that their Councilor is a school drop out, tout, delinquent, area boy, jobless, drug addict e.t.c, then how can such a person truly represent them, protect their interests and help in bringing about development to the grass roots?
The Nigerian people must all act what we preach from our leaders to the followers. We always talk about our problems, but we never sincerely act to set things right. We lie, cheat, exploit, hate ourselves while at the same time we expect our leaders to do otherwise. We are also great pretenders as things are not moving in our favour we criticize, but immediately we are opportune we still follow the path of those we always criticize. We are also part of our own problems, as we assist and support in election rigging as those we accuse of the rigging are not on the field on election days, also we accord undue honour and respect to those we know got their wealth through treasury looting and close our eyes due to religious, sectional and tribal sentiment to those we knew are not competent or capable of providing the desired leadership for growth and development of our wards, towns, states and nation in general.
We will only get it right when we are sincere to ourselves and stop pretending. Our laws should be made to give opportunities to every Nigerian in our democratic process through encouraging the bulk of dedicated and educated citizens the right to actively participate in partisan politics than to let the field to mere opportunists. To fight the scourge of poverty and corruption the living standard of ordinary Nigerians should be lifted to international standard.
And when we talk about democracy, good governance, rule of law and free and fair elections, all Nigerians should be sincere in the implementation. The burden is not only on the ruling party to implement, other opposition parties should also be sincere through conducting free and fair elections in their domains. While the Nigerian people on the other hand should endeavor to live by example through shunning any form of collaboration with the political class to rig elections, impose unpopular candidates and seeking for personal favours from politicians rather than demand for implementation of policies and works that will benefit all.
Until when all Nigerians , feel that they have a stake in their nations development, we will continue to day dream and having false hopes of our dreams for national development. It is not late if we are sincere to make sure that things are getting right in Nigeria as every individual have a quota to contribute that can make Nigeria go hand in hand with the develop nations of the world.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Friday, 17 October 2008
Celebrating with His Highness Ado Bayero The Great
By the end of October , 2008 , His Highness Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero, The Emir of Kano, will be on throne for 45 years. The charismatic Emir is considered the greatest of traditional rulers in the whole of West Africa, and the greatest also of all Emirs that have ruled Kano from Habe Dynasty to the Fulani Dynasty as he has accomplished great works during his reign the like of which could only be accomplished during the epocs of Muhammadu Rumfa, Sarki Suleimanu and Abdullahi Bayero.
Charisma, dignity, elegance and honour had centralised the reign of Alhaji ( Dr) Ado Bayero which proved the way for him to be a colussus, added to his regalia and splendour, have won him acclaim and dignity to the language, costumes and other customs of Hausa and Fulani people of Kano.
The traditional institution has personified into Ado Bayero and made him a shining star among holders of office in the traditional institution. No royal father within Nigeria and her neighbours commands the respect that the Emir of Kano does over his subjects.His vast experience in leadership has helped Kano to be a centre of remarkable achievements in development, rising from defunct Northern Region to full -fleged state and sprouted from antique trans-sahara route to a momentous commercial, and industrial centre in Africa, and of course , all kind of international businesses.
The concern of the masses is his central view since his youthful days. He was identified as a helper, supporter and defender of the masses which issue has led the authorities of that time to brand him as " a radical " and in their opinion he was too close to the masses to serve the intrest of the establishment. He used his position as the Chief of the Northern Authority Police (Wakilin Doka) in an era when abuse of human rights was at it's peak in Nigeria to protect the poor, oppressed, suppressed and downtrodden from abuse of powers by politicians, goverment functionaries, members of the Raoal court, the alkalai and the Native Authority Constabulary.
There are so many narrations of how he saved innocent poor souls from notoriously reckless abuse of power , such as the case of a man brought from Ringim Town (now in Jigawa state) to Kano whose offence was that he pinned a NEPU badge on his chest. Ado Bayero asked the arresting officer if NEPU was not a registered political party? The officer said it was, and he ordered the officer to release the man. So also the narration of a man from Jahun (now also in Jigawa state)who was arrested and brought to Kano on the accusation of abusing the Sardauna of Sokoto. Ado Bayero asked the man who brought the arrested person if he was the Sardauna? The man said no. He then ordered the release of the detainee. Another man was said to have abused the Emir of Kano. He told the arresting officer that the Emir was his father and as the Emir's son , he had decided to forgive the man. The courageous activities of Ado Bayero to reduce the oppression against the poor led the Northern People's Congress (NPC) to accuse him of being a secret member of the Northern Element Proggressive Union (NEPU) which had been formed by the late Mallam Aminu Kano in a bold effort to mobilise the masses and check the abuses of the citizen's right. They silently removed him as Wakilin Doka and appointed him as Nigeria'a Ambassador to Senegal.
Tolerance, patience, and ability to accomodate have earned Ado Bayero a unique respect and honour from all Nigerians and citizens of neibouring countries. Regardless of the part of the country one comes from the South-West, South-South, South -East or other parts of Northern Nigeria- he will find Kano to be a second home. And no tribe or people from other parts of the country have ever accused him of partisanship in molesting or maltreating them. So also from religoius point of view , non -Muslims have never complained that the Emir has, in anyway, used his position to harass or deny them their freedom of worship. Even among the Muslims no sect or group will accuse him of having a sinister agenda to persecute their members for his, or other sect's intrest. These qualities endear him to all in love , respect , understanding and total acceptability to his royal leadership and service. Uniqueness of his leadership style has made Kano to be home to many Nigerians, Africans, Asians and Europeans as there are equal oppurtunities for all , irrespective of where you come from, your tribe, religion, social status and political affiliation. The people of Kano have learnt from him the importance of respecting and honouring guests, and this has led Kano to be Nigeria's League of Nations where there is equality and oppurtunity for all.
As a Prince Ado Bayero was an exception among their Royal Highness - Kano Princes - of those days. He was simple, humble and law abiding. When he was a student of Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College) as other Princes from Royal Families of Kano were reported to have been sent special meals from the home throughout their stay at the Middle School, but Ado Bayero shunned that luxury and stuck to the meals provided by the school. It was reported that he once said " a student was a student , prince or no prince". Some Princes were also reported to have been flouting school regulations continously, which offence led them to have brushes with the school authority. On his part, Ado Bayero obeyed school regulations, served his seniors and even washed plates used by them. He actively participated in all school works like sweeping lanes and dormitories, and other activities to maintain cleaniness in the school.
Another distinct quality of Ado Bayero is that all hius children do attend public schools right from the primary up to the secondary school and higher institutions in the country. He has refused to segragate his children from the children of the masses , which manner is the norm among other traditional rulers , politicians and elites of today. His children also mix with other children in the community, either children of the rich or poor in their day to day activities, unlike other elites who cut-off any sort of relationship between their children and childrens of the have-nots as they attend separate schools right from nursery up to secondary schools and higher institution, and presently even the type of employment they occupy.
Dr Bayero's sense of judgement with justice and equity has led so many people to go before him to solve their disputes. He listens and attends to their complaints where cases that would have spent years in courts could be solved within minutes.
Education, especially building of Islamic schools, are his major priorities and he also donates huge amounts of money to build such schools within and outside Kano. As indication of his great concern for religous knowledge, the great Emir needs no long notices to attend any occasion for an Islamiyya or Islamic secondary school. His conern and intrest for education is motivating the youths of Kano to seek for knowledge especially those in Islamic schools as they look forward to the day they will graduate and have the honour of coming face to face with His Highness to receive their certificates.
As Nigeria's Heads of State testify Ado Bayero is among a few royal and religious leaders that have never requested , asked or begged for any favour for themselves while in office. This shows that Ado Bayero is not the type that uses his office to beg , solicit or ask for personal favours.
We pray that may His Highness Alhaji(Dr) Ado Bayero have more years for Kano to continue to delevope. May Allah give him more strength in faith and health. Ran Takawa, San Kano , ya dade.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Charisma, dignity, elegance and honour had centralised the reign of Alhaji ( Dr) Ado Bayero which proved the way for him to be a colussus, added to his regalia and splendour, have won him acclaim and dignity to the language, costumes and other customs of Hausa and Fulani people of Kano.
The traditional institution has personified into Ado Bayero and made him a shining star among holders of office in the traditional institution. No royal father within Nigeria and her neighbours commands the respect that the Emir of Kano does over his subjects.His vast experience in leadership has helped Kano to be a centre of remarkable achievements in development, rising from defunct Northern Region to full -fleged state and sprouted from antique trans-sahara route to a momentous commercial, and industrial centre in Africa, and of course , all kind of international businesses.
The concern of the masses is his central view since his youthful days. He was identified as a helper, supporter and defender of the masses which issue has led the authorities of that time to brand him as " a radical " and in their opinion he was too close to the masses to serve the intrest of the establishment. He used his position as the Chief of the Northern Authority Police (Wakilin Doka) in an era when abuse of human rights was at it's peak in Nigeria to protect the poor, oppressed, suppressed and downtrodden from abuse of powers by politicians, goverment functionaries, members of the Raoal court, the alkalai and the Native Authority Constabulary.
There are so many narrations of how he saved innocent poor souls from notoriously reckless abuse of power , such as the case of a man brought from Ringim Town (now in Jigawa state) to Kano whose offence was that he pinned a NEPU badge on his chest. Ado Bayero asked the arresting officer if NEPU was not a registered political party? The officer said it was, and he ordered the officer to release the man. So also the narration of a man from Jahun (now also in Jigawa state)who was arrested and brought to Kano on the accusation of abusing the Sardauna of Sokoto. Ado Bayero asked the man who brought the arrested person if he was the Sardauna? The man said no. He then ordered the release of the detainee. Another man was said to have abused the Emir of Kano. He told the arresting officer that the Emir was his father and as the Emir's son , he had decided to forgive the man. The courageous activities of Ado Bayero to reduce the oppression against the poor led the Northern People's Congress (NPC) to accuse him of being a secret member of the Northern Element Proggressive Union (NEPU) which had been formed by the late Mallam Aminu Kano in a bold effort to mobilise the masses and check the abuses of the citizen's right. They silently removed him as Wakilin Doka and appointed him as Nigeria'a Ambassador to Senegal.
Tolerance, patience, and ability to accomodate have earned Ado Bayero a unique respect and honour from all Nigerians and citizens of neibouring countries. Regardless of the part of the country one comes from the South-West, South-South, South -East or other parts of Northern Nigeria- he will find Kano to be a second home. And no tribe or people from other parts of the country have ever accused him of partisanship in molesting or maltreating them. So also from religoius point of view , non -Muslims have never complained that the Emir has, in anyway, used his position to harass or deny them their freedom of worship. Even among the Muslims no sect or group will accuse him of having a sinister agenda to persecute their members for his, or other sect's intrest. These qualities endear him to all in love , respect , understanding and total acceptability to his royal leadership and service. Uniqueness of his leadership style has made Kano to be home to many Nigerians, Africans, Asians and Europeans as there are equal oppurtunities for all , irrespective of where you come from, your tribe, religion, social status and political affiliation. The people of Kano have learnt from him the importance of respecting and honouring guests, and this has led Kano to be Nigeria's League of Nations where there is equality and oppurtunity for all.
As a Prince Ado Bayero was an exception among their Royal Highness - Kano Princes - of those days. He was simple, humble and law abiding. When he was a student of Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College) as other Princes from Royal Families of Kano were reported to have been sent special meals from the home throughout their stay at the Middle School, but Ado Bayero shunned that luxury and stuck to the meals provided by the school. It was reported that he once said " a student was a student , prince or no prince". Some Princes were also reported to have been flouting school regulations continously, which offence led them to have brushes with the school authority. On his part, Ado Bayero obeyed school regulations, served his seniors and even washed plates used by them. He actively participated in all school works like sweeping lanes and dormitories, and other activities to maintain cleaniness in the school.
Another distinct quality of Ado Bayero is that all hius children do attend public schools right from the primary up to the secondary school and higher institutions in the country. He has refused to segragate his children from the children of the masses , which manner is the norm among other traditional rulers , politicians and elites of today. His children also mix with other children in the community, either children of the rich or poor in their day to day activities, unlike other elites who cut-off any sort of relationship between their children and childrens of the have-nots as they attend separate schools right from nursery up to secondary schools and higher institution, and presently even the type of employment they occupy.
Dr Bayero's sense of judgement with justice and equity has led so many people to go before him to solve their disputes. He listens and attends to their complaints where cases that would have spent years in courts could be solved within minutes.
Education, especially building of Islamic schools, are his major priorities and he also donates huge amounts of money to build such schools within and outside Kano. As indication of his great concern for religous knowledge, the great Emir needs no long notices to attend any occasion for an Islamiyya or Islamic secondary school. His conern and intrest for education is motivating the youths of Kano to seek for knowledge especially those in Islamic schools as they look forward to the day they will graduate and have the honour of coming face to face with His Highness to receive their certificates.
As Nigeria's Heads of State testify Ado Bayero is among a few royal and religious leaders that have never requested , asked or begged for any favour for themselves while in office. This shows that Ado Bayero is not the type that uses his office to beg , solicit or ask for personal favours.
We pray that may His Highness Alhaji(Dr) Ado Bayero have more years for Kano to continue to delevope. May Allah give him more strength in faith and health. Ran Takawa, San Kano , ya dade.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
FRSC at 20: The Challenges Ahead
FRSC at 20: The Challenges Ahead
This year the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) turns 20 years with it's creation. The commission came into existance in 1988 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida , with the aim of regulating the traffic laws on our roads, observe and advise authorities the conditions or worthiness of our roads. They also sanitise the public on importance of abiding by road ethics and regulations.
FRSC claimed that it had been doing alot in the area of sanitising the public on the road safety eventhough it do encounter alot of problems especially from impatient and sturbborn road users including the non-implementation of it's suggestions on conditions of our roads.Road accidents is among the leading disasters that kills human beings , it is the 9th killer as 1.2 million people lost their lives world wide every year with another 50 million or more sustaining various degrees of injuries from road accidents. Annalyst are of the view that if the issue is not tackled adequetly by the year 2020 road accidents can become the 3rd killer of human race world wide. There's hardly no Nigerian Family that road accident had not affected either directly or indirectly. Atleast every Nigerian family had either lost a loved one in road accident , or injured or escaped death by the whiskers in an accident . The question to ask is why is accidents still increasing eventhough FRSC has always double it's effort to curb the menace.Eventhough the condition of our roads are not in proper condition , road worthiness should not be entirely blamed on nature of our road accidents. Reckless driving , overspeading and overloading are among the factors increasing accidents on our roads . And another major factor that increases accidents are the ineffectivesness and willingness by authorities to enforce compliance of rules governing the conduct of our roads in our country.
When will we stop folding our hands and continue to allow road accidents to continue killing our people because of lack of willingness to enforce rules and regulations on our roads? Or are we going to keep watching some "suicide drivers" just because they can drive , to keep on threathing our lives and properties? And when are we going to be firm and decisive on traffic offenders , who after killing or maiming due to recklessness, careless and impatient driving hide behind destiny to get off the hook?
The most dangerous among road users on our roads are drivers of long vehicles , lorries , buses, cars and okada. Due to the nature of their driving it is hardly that one will not see damaged vehicles after accidents have occured especially on our highways.The situation of our roads , in sober or drunk driving and overloading is so bad that it happen that when one will travel , one can't be sure of safe journey due to the recklessness od drivers on our roads.
Among the factors that had become impediments to the functions of FRSC is the lack of the will to enforce the conduct of loading of passengers as it relates to commercial vehicles, that operates within town or those operating on the outskirts and highways. It is now a norm for commercial vehicles to overload and seems to have been accepted as a normal norm. All commercial vehicles from cars to buses do compacted people like sardines, where a car that is made to carry only five passengers including the driver will be compacted with eight or nine passengers. They will load four to five people in the back seat instead of the ideal three. In the front where the driver and a passenger will sit they will put additional one or two passengers excluding the driver. They even load passengers in their "boots" !, same applied with buses where every available space is filled up to capacity with goods and people. On the part of trucks and lorries the story is the same with overloading of goods, and on the far top will be jammed with passengers and animals together.If FRSC are serious in enforcing road rules and regulations, they must enforce all rules irrespective of the flimsy excuses such drivers and their unions cook up to justify their overloading and other indecent habits which has most of the time been the source of accidents on our roads. The commission must have the willingness to punish all offenders according to the rule without fear or favour. Whenever an accident occur they should make sure they investigate both the remote and underlying causes and those found guilty should be punished accordingly . FRSC should ensure that after serving their punishments, their driving license should be seized or revoked in case of ambiguity the commission should seek for amendments and new powers, where ther are short comings in the law governing road ethics and conduct so as to enable it function effectively.
The society also have a special role to play in bringing sanity on our roads, especially the religious leaders who should enlighten people on the importance of seeking compesation to those that have lost their loved ones or those that sustained injuries in accidents due to recklessness of drivers. In most part of the country the acceptable norm is for families to forvige or refuse to seek compesation when one of theirs lost his/her life due to reckless driving. They should be enlighten on the importance of seeking redress and compesation on behalf of their loved ones . Passengers should also protest and stop keeping mum when a reckless " suicide driver" is attempting to terminate their lives and also report such persons to the appropriate authorities.
FRSC should tighten it's belt in saving the lives and properties of innocent citizens from the devilish and unwholesome activities of reckless and overzealous drivers.The FRSC need all the neccessary back up or support from lLocal and State goverments, and organisations to enable it perform it's duty efficiently.
All patrotic citizens should assist FRSC in bringing to and end or to drastically reduce the number of widows, orphans and disabled e.t.c in our country just because of activities of some reckless suiciders who happens to be driving on our roads. Yoursfaithfully Shehu Mustapha Chajishehuchaji@yahoo.com
This year the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) turns 20 years with it's creation. The commission came into existance in 1988 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida , with the aim of regulating the traffic laws on our roads, observe and advise authorities the conditions or worthiness of our roads. They also sanitise the public on importance of abiding by road ethics and regulations.
FRSC claimed that it had been doing alot in the area of sanitising the public on the road safety eventhough it do encounter alot of problems especially from impatient and sturbborn road users including the non-implementation of it's suggestions on conditions of our roads.Road accidents is among the leading disasters that kills human beings , it is the 9th killer as 1.2 million people lost their lives world wide every year with another 50 million or more sustaining various degrees of injuries from road accidents. Annalyst are of the view that if the issue is not tackled adequetly by the year 2020 road accidents can become the 3rd killer of human race world wide. There's hardly no Nigerian Family that road accident had not affected either directly or indirectly. Atleast every Nigerian family had either lost a loved one in road accident , or injured or escaped death by the whiskers in an accident . The question to ask is why is accidents still increasing eventhough FRSC has always double it's effort to curb the menace.Eventhough the condition of our roads are not in proper condition , road worthiness should not be entirely blamed on nature of our road accidents. Reckless driving , overspeading and overloading are among the factors increasing accidents on our roads . And another major factor that increases accidents are the ineffectivesness and willingness by authorities to enforce compliance of rules governing the conduct of our roads in our country.
When will we stop folding our hands and continue to allow road accidents to continue killing our people because of lack of willingness to enforce rules and regulations on our roads? Or are we going to keep watching some "suicide drivers" just because they can drive , to keep on threathing our lives and properties? And when are we going to be firm and decisive on traffic offenders , who after killing or maiming due to recklessness, careless and impatient driving hide behind destiny to get off the hook?
The most dangerous among road users on our roads are drivers of long vehicles , lorries , buses, cars and okada. Due to the nature of their driving it is hardly that one will not see damaged vehicles after accidents have occured especially on our highways.The situation of our roads , in sober or drunk driving and overloading is so bad that it happen that when one will travel , one can't be sure of safe journey due to the recklessness od drivers on our roads.
Among the factors that had become impediments to the functions of FRSC is the lack of the will to enforce the conduct of loading of passengers as it relates to commercial vehicles, that operates within town or those operating on the outskirts and highways. It is now a norm for commercial vehicles to overload and seems to have been accepted as a normal norm. All commercial vehicles from cars to buses do compacted people like sardines, where a car that is made to carry only five passengers including the driver will be compacted with eight or nine passengers. They will load four to five people in the back seat instead of the ideal three. In the front where the driver and a passenger will sit they will put additional one or two passengers excluding the driver. They even load passengers in their "boots" !, same applied with buses where every available space is filled up to capacity with goods and people. On the part of trucks and lorries the story is the same with overloading of goods, and on the far top will be jammed with passengers and animals together.If FRSC are serious in enforcing road rules and regulations, they must enforce all rules irrespective of the flimsy excuses such drivers and their unions cook up to justify their overloading and other indecent habits which has most of the time been the source of accidents on our roads. The commission must have the willingness to punish all offenders according to the rule without fear or favour. Whenever an accident occur they should make sure they investigate both the remote and underlying causes and those found guilty should be punished accordingly . FRSC should ensure that after serving their punishments, their driving license should be seized or revoked in case of ambiguity the commission should seek for amendments and new powers, where ther are short comings in the law governing road ethics and conduct so as to enable it function effectively.
The society also have a special role to play in bringing sanity on our roads, especially the religious leaders who should enlighten people on the importance of seeking compesation to those that have lost their loved ones or those that sustained injuries in accidents due to recklessness of drivers. In most part of the country the acceptable norm is for families to forvige or refuse to seek compesation when one of theirs lost his/her life due to reckless driving. They should be enlighten on the importance of seeking redress and compesation on behalf of their loved ones . Passengers should also protest and stop keeping mum when a reckless " suicide driver" is attempting to terminate their lives and also report such persons to the appropriate authorities.
FRSC should tighten it's belt in saving the lives and properties of innocent citizens from the devilish and unwholesome activities of reckless and overzealous drivers.The FRSC need all the neccessary back up or support from lLocal and State goverments, and organisations to enable it perform it's duty efficiently.
All patrotic citizens should assist FRSC in bringing to and end or to drastically reduce the number of widows, orphans and disabled e.t.c in our country just because of activities of some reckless suiciders who happens to be driving on our roads. Yoursfaithfully Shehu Mustapha Chajishehuchaji@yahoo.com
Monday, 6 October 2008
Shekarau : Don't answer their call if, and only if ...
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau the only two term Executive Governor of Kano State , is a Man that is use to swim against tides. When he first emerge on the political scene before the 2003 elections, many political pundits listed him among the unserious contenders and suprisely he emerged victorious. So also during the 2007 elections against all odds breaking the traditional norm of not having second term in Kano Goverment House, Governor Shekarau broke the jinx ! And recently his supporters are calling on him to seek for the office of President of Nigeria in 2011. Constitutionally , Governor Shekarau is entitle to seek for office of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria , and like all Kanawas i will also look forward to the day a son of the soil will become a democratically elected President of Nigeria as no one from Kano state have the priveledge of been elected as President of Nigeria. And if Shekarau answered the call, will he emerge victorious in a venture so many Kanawas have attempted and failed?Prominent among them are Mallam Aminu Kano , Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule (Dan Masanin Kano) , Alhaji Bashir Usman Tofa and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi.
The call on Shekarau to contest for presidency come 2011 is getting louder and louder by the day , and he has neither answer nor said what are his intentions after leaving Kano Goverment House in 2011. Before the call snowball to a national dimension , Shekarau should as a matter of urgency study the possibilities or otherwise of the call and take appropriate position.
Already many political commentators have various views as to why Governor Ibrahim Shekarau might dive into the political terrain to seek for Nigeria's presidency in 2011. Some are of the view that as his party ANPP is the biggest opposition party in Nigeria , he may be the party's presidential aspirant so as to enable President Umaru Musa Yar'adua have a smooth coast to victory in 2011 elections, no matter how the election will be conducted Shekarau will accept the result in good faith and will be willing to board the goverment of national unity after the elections. While some are of the view that Governor Ibrahim Shekarau will be used to finally frustrate General Muhammadu Buhari out of ANPP even if he decides to stay put in the party after the Supreme Court delivers it's judgement . As Shekarau a loyal and law abiding party member may have upper hand against other contenders like General Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to contest against who are not loyal to party supremacy .
As for me i will sincerely advise Malam Ibrahim Shekarau to study the terrain carefully before sticking his neck in this risky and unpredictable venture of contesting for seat of Nigeria's presidency. Firstly, he should be wise enough like Senator Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura not to contest against President Umaru Yar'adua if he decide to contest for second term. Secondly, he should not contest against Genaral Muhammadu Buhari even if he is not contesting on the platform of ANPP to avoid missing in the presidential aspirants crowd such like former Governor of Sokoto state Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa during the 2007 elections . Thirdly, he should only contest if his financial status improves or when he has solid promises of getting financial support when he is into the race, in an interview he granted last year , Shekarau said he doe'snt even own a house of himself and if he leaves Kano Goverment House he does not have a place to pack into.
But on the otherhand , Governor Shekarau can contest for presidency if the leading opposition parties AC, PPA , DPP e.t.c decided to form alliance with ANPP to defeat PDP with Shekarau as ANPP presidential aspirant . And if also General Muhammadu Buhari , Alhaji Atiku Abibakar , Cheif Uzo Kalu , Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa all decided not to contest for presidency in 2011 and also decided to collectively support , back and campaign for Shekarau , then he can also contest . And finally , if President Umaru Musa Yar'adua advise him to contest wheater under the platform of PDP if he is not contesting again or on the platform of ANPP or any other party, he should'nt even hesitate , he can go ahead and contest for presidency in 2011.
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau should resist the temptation for contesting for presidency just for the sake of contesting or overwhelmed by his previous accomplishments of dislodging a sitting governor Alhaji Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso though he did not have the financial capability for such venture and against all expectations breaking the jinx of not having second term in Kano State. Nigeria's presidency is a serious venture which all beneficiaries had the backing and blessings of incumbents and various groups of power elites. With so many hawks hovering around the presidency it is not advisable for starters like Governor Shekarau to venture into such murky waters.
The concern of Governor Ibrahim Shekarau should be centred on how his loyalist should take over from him as the opposition party in Kano state PDP led by heavy weight politicians like Alhaji Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'abba , Alhaji Usman Sule Ruruwai , Alhaji Ibrahim Amin Little , Alhaji Garba Ahmed and supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari led by Alhaji Haruna Ahmadu Zago will all put all effort to have one of their own as next governor of Kano state. What happen in Sokoto state during 2007 election can re-curr in Kano state if Shekarau like Bafarawa went in search of the presidency but ended up loosing both.
The senate would have been more suitable for Shekarau in 2011 if he has become less ambitious , but even the senate will be a risky venture as the present senator representing Kano central , Shekarau's senatorial zone , Senator Muhammad Bello can only stepdown for Shekarau if he annointed him as his successor.
May be most of those calling on Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to contest for Nigeria's presidency are of the thought that if he answer their call he will throw open the gate of Kano tresury for them to have their fill as some former state governors did during the 2007 elections used their state resources to seek for Nigeria's presidency and are now today either in the custody of EFCC or playing hide and seek with anti-corruption agencies .2011 is a bid far away from now which gives Governor Shekarau much time to fully study such calls as to either accept the call or reject them. It either of the two da mugun rawa gwamma kin tashi and da rashin tayi akan bar araha !
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
The call on Shekarau to contest for presidency come 2011 is getting louder and louder by the day , and he has neither answer nor said what are his intentions after leaving Kano Goverment House in 2011. Before the call snowball to a national dimension , Shekarau should as a matter of urgency study the possibilities or otherwise of the call and take appropriate position.
Already many political commentators have various views as to why Governor Ibrahim Shekarau might dive into the political terrain to seek for Nigeria's presidency in 2011. Some are of the view that as his party ANPP is the biggest opposition party in Nigeria , he may be the party's presidential aspirant so as to enable President Umaru Musa Yar'adua have a smooth coast to victory in 2011 elections, no matter how the election will be conducted Shekarau will accept the result in good faith and will be willing to board the goverment of national unity after the elections. While some are of the view that Governor Ibrahim Shekarau will be used to finally frustrate General Muhammadu Buhari out of ANPP even if he decides to stay put in the party after the Supreme Court delivers it's judgement . As Shekarau a loyal and law abiding party member may have upper hand against other contenders like General Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to contest against who are not loyal to party supremacy .
As for me i will sincerely advise Malam Ibrahim Shekarau to study the terrain carefully before sticking his neck in this risky and unpredictable venture of contesting for seat of Nigeria's presidency. Firstly, he should be wise enough like Senator Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura not to contest against President Umaru Yar'adua if he decide to contest for second term. Secondly, he should not contest against Genaral Muhammadu Buhari even if he is not contesting on the platform of ANPP to avoid missing in the presidential aspirants crowd such like former Governor of Sokoto state Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa during the 2007 elections . Thirdly, he should only contest if his financial status improves or when he has solid promises of getting financial support when he is into the race, in an interview he granted last year , Shekarau said he doe'snt even own a house of himself and if he leaves Kano Goverment House he does not have a place to pack into.
But on the otherhand , Governor Shekarau can contest for presidency if the leading opposition parties AC, PPA , DPP e.t.c decided to form alliance with ANPP to defeat PDP with Shekarau as ANPP presidential aspirant . And if also General Muhammadu Buhari , Alhaji Atiku Abibakar , Cheif Uzo Kalu , Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa all decided not to contest for presidency in 2011 and also decided to collectively support , back and campaign for Shekarau , then he can also contest . And finally , if President Umaru Musa Yar'adua advise him to contest wheater under the platform of PDP if he is not contesting again or on the platform of ANPP or any other party, he should'nt even hesitate , he can go ahead and contest for presidency in 2011.
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau should resist the temptation for contesting for presidency just for the sake of contesting or overwhelmed by his previous accomplishments of dislodging a sitting governor Alhaji Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso though he did not have the financial capability for such venture and against all expectations breaking the jinx of not having second term in Kano State. Nigeria's presidency is a serious venture which all beneficiaries had the backing and blessings of incumbents and various groups of power elites. With so many hawks hovering around the presidency it is not advisable for starters like Governor Shekarau to venture into such murky waters.
The concern of Governor Ibrahim Shekarau should be centred on how his loyalist should take over from him as the opposition party in Kano state PDP led by heavy weight politicians like Alhaji Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'abba , Alhaji Usman Sule Ruruwai , Alhaji Ibrahim Amin Little , Alhaji Garba Ahmed and supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari led by Alhaji Haruna Ahmadu Zago will all put all effort to have one of their own as next governor of Kano state. What happen in Sokoto state during 2007 election can re-curr in Kano state if Shekarau like Bafarawa went in search of the presidency but ended up loosing both.
The senate would have been more suitable for Shekarau in 2011 if he has become less ambitious , but even the senate will be a risky venture as the present senator representing Kano central , Shekarau's senatorial zone , Senator Muhammad Bello can only stepdown for Shekarau if he annointed him as his successor.
May be most of those calling on Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to contest for Nigeria's presidency are of the thought that if he answer their call he will throw open the gate of Kano tresury for them to have their fill as some former state governors did during the 2007 elections used their state resources to seek for Nigeria's presidency and are now today either in the custody of EFCC or playing hide and seek with anti-corruption agencies .2011 is a bid far away from now which gives Governor Shekarau much time to fully study such calls as to either accept the call or reject them. It either of the two da mugun rawa gwamma kin tashi and da rashin tayi akan bar araha !
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Friday, 12 September 2008
Shekarau: When will I collect my Jeep?
Precisely on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, Daily Trust featured the news “Shekarau buys N.5bn Jeeps for Monarchs”. This kind of gesture to the traditional rulers sparks off debate on whether they deserved the state of the art vehicles or not. The beneficiaries include 14 members of Kano Emirate Council and 39 district heads. Whichever angle one view the “gifts”, this piece is self centred and not about the legality or otherwise of the “Dividends of democracy” which the beneficiaries enjoyed.
If one could recall, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau when sworn in as governor of Kano state in 2003 ., stated that his role model for governance will be in line with Khalifah Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (r.a) the second Caliph of Islam. There are so many narrations that shows during his rule, state resources were shared equally, including his own share which is no more or less than what ordinary member of the Ummah will get as his own share.
Based on such narrations which are numerous, the administration of Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) centres on equal distribution of state resources and which my governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau took as his model will not distribute only 53 brand new Jeeps to a selected few among the people of about 10 million Kanawas, as a member am asking Shekarau, when will I collect my Jeep? As I have said earlier am not in support or against the Jeeps given to the traditional rulers. I have high respect and regard to the traditional institution, which as the governor acknowledged their influence in area of maintenance of security, peace and communal cohension. They deserved more than a private jets not even jeeps if one view the responsibility they are shouldering for the society.
Your Excellency Sir, if those criticizing your kind gesture to the traditional rulers or those in support of the gesture are busy debating whether they deserved the Jeeps or not , On my part as they occupied with the debate , am raising up my pen to demand for my own Jeep in line with the tradition of the Ummah during the reign of Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) when state resources where distributed equally . Luckily for me, you took him as your role model. Also Sir, I prefer the Jeep to be “tear leather” not tokumbo or fairly used, green in colour with all sophisticated gadget befitting such a state of the art vehicle.
As a bonafide indigene of Kano state, if millions of Kanawas are silent in demanding for their own Jeeps either out of shyness or cowardice, am demanding for mine in line with traditions of the great Sahabahs of Islam. My governor, Shekarau had chosen Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) as his role model in deeds and governance, which will make my case to be simple and am sure he is Man of his words, and surely will respond to my demand as a law abiding indigene of Kano state.
Selfishness and greed are not the motivating factor for my demand of Jeep from Shekarau rather to fulfill my obligation as a Muslim and indigene of Kano state where Sharia is applied in governance of the state and in line with traditions of the Sahabah to demand what is due to me.
My eagerness for the Jeep is enormous as I have already enroll in a driving school to learn how to drive such an exotic car as I cannot afford to employ a driver. And I have already contacted a neighbour of mine on how I can obtain a driving license and a special plate number, and another to lend me his garage to be parking my Jeep for safe keeping as I will take care of it as my new bride as they cost more than half of all the entire salaries of government employed worker of Kano state for a month, why wouldn’t I go extra mile to protect my jeep from armed robbers and car snatchers?
If out of cowardice or shyness critics and supporters fails to demand for theirs, I say no one should complain or criticize me for demanding for my own Jeep. Some will complain that am not a monarch and therefore I do not deserve a Jeep from Shekarau. Other lazy armchair critics will criticize me as seeking for a favour, a bribe or even want to be brought over by the Shekarau administration. They should all mind their own business in either supporting and praising the good works of people’s governor or continue criticizing the governor for not judiciously utilizing the billions of naira the state is earning for development. I will also advise them to speak up and demand for their own Jeeps and together we will all cruise and turn Kano state to a land of Jeeps and exotic cars.
My Jeep is my Jeep, therefore those that fails to demand for theirs should not dare ask me for a lift, and if they are not happy with my attitude, go and demand for yours.
Some might even accused me of not been realistic, to them I will say its none of my business as governor Shekarau knows what he was talking about when he promise to follow the foot steps of Khalifah Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (r.a). And for those that will quote sections of the Nigerian Constitution to block my chance of collecting my Jeep, to them I will also say the Constitution did not burden my governor with distribution of Jeeps to traditional rulers.
The Sharia Law governing Kano state and Nigerian Constitution gave all equal opportunities, even though elected officials and public office holders enjoyed special remuneration which is backed by the Constitution. But whatever the reasons for Shekarau to afford such a kind gesture to the Monarchs, all Kanawas are equally important to enjoy such a kind gesture to testify that they have also experience what is known as dividends of democracy.
To critics, my governor have achieved more than enough in all sectors of growth and development. There is clean drinking water, hospitals that distribute free drugs, employment for young and old, well equipped schools and teachers well paid e.t.c there’s more than enough and the government can now spend hundreds of millions to buy Jeeps for its Monarch. The task of governance is enormous and the governor might think that you are all contented with “A Daidaita Sahu” buses and tricycles for your transportation and you may not need Jeeps for your easier movements to conduct your day to day affairs.
As for supporters of the state government in its great stride of bringing about change and development that has never happened in history of Kano state , are also contented and would not mind out of loyalty, sacrifice and dedication even if they do not own tokumbo cars and motorcycles , they do not need the Jeeps. They prefer to continue to be transported in overloaded taxis, old buses, dare devil Achabas or even trek, for them things are moving in order.
But as for me, am looking forward to collect my Jeep as my governor is a man of his words and he led by example. With this , am looking forward to when my demand will be considered and I hope by this every indigene of Kano state will not start demanding for his/her Jeep as the waiting will be too long to meet the supply of demands by manufactures of Jeeps to every indigene of Kano state.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com ‘
If one could recall, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau when sworn in as governor of Kano state in 2003 ., stated that his role model for governance will be in line with Khalifah Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (r.a) the second Caliph of Islam. There are so many narrations that shows during his rule, state resources were shared equally, including his own share which is no more or less than what ordinary member of the Ummah will get as his own share.
Based on such narrations which are numerous, the administration of Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) centres on equal distribution of state resources and which my governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau took as his model will not distribute only 53 brand new Jeeps to a selected few among the people of about 10 million Kanawas, as a member am asking Shekarau, when will I collect my Jeep? As I have said earlier am not in support or against the Jeeps given to the traditional rulers. I have high respect and regard to the traditional institution, which as the governor acknowledged their influence in area of maintenance of security, peace and communal cohension. They deserved more than a private jets not even jeeps if one view the responsibility they are shouldering for the society.
Your Excellency Sir, if those criticizing your kind gesture to the traditional rulers or those in support of the gesture are busy debating whether they deserved the Jeeps or not , On my part as they occupied with the debate , am raising up my pen to demand for my own Jeep in line with the tradition of the Ummah during the reign of Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) when state resources where distributed equally . Luckily for me, you took him as your role model. Also Sir, I prefer the Jeep to be “tear leather” not tokumbo or fairly used, green in colour with all sophisticated gadget befitting such a state of the art vehicle.
As a bonafide indigene of Kano state, if millions of Kanawas are silent in demanding for their own Jeeps either out of shyness or cowardice, am demanding for mine in line with traditions of the great Sahabahs of Islam. My governor, Shekarau had chosen Umar Al-Khattab (r.a) as his role model in deeds and governance, which will make my case to be simple and am sure he is Man of his words, and surely will respond to my demand as a law abiding indigene of Kano state.
Selfishness and greed are not the motivating factor for my demand of Jeep from Shekarau rather to fulfill my obligation as a Muslim and indigene of Kano state where Sharia is applied in governance of the state and in line with traditions of the Sahabah to demand what is due to me.
My eagerness for the Jeep is enormous as I have already enroll in a driving school to learn how to drive such an exotic car as I cannot afford to employ a driver. And I have already contacted a neighbour of mine on how I can obtain a driving license and a special plate number, and another to lend me his garage to be parking my Jeep for safe keeping as I will take care of it as my new bride as they cost more than half of all the entire salaries of government employed worker of Kano state for a month, why wouldn’t I go extra mile to protect my jeep from armed robbers and car snatchers?
If out of cowardice or shyness critics and supporters fails to demand for theirs, I say no one should complain or criticize me for demanding for my own Jeep. Some will complain that am not a monarch and therefore I do not deserve a Jeep from Shekarau. Other lazy armchair critics will criticize me as seeking for a favour, a bribe or even want to be brought over by the Shekarau administration. They should all mind their own business in either supporting and praising the good works of people’s governor or continue criticizing the governor for not judiciously utilizing the billions of naira the state is earning for development. I will also advise them to speak up and demand for their own Jeeps and together we will all cruise and turn Kano state to a land of Jeeps and exotic cars.
My Jeep is my Jeep, therefore those that fails to demand for theirs should not dare ask me for a lift, and if they are not happy with my attitude, go and demand for yours.
Some might even accused me of not been realistic, to them I will say its none of my business as governor Shekarau knows what he was talking about when he promise to follow the foot steps of Khalifah Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (r.a). And for those that will quote sections of the Nigerian Constitution to block my chance of collecting my Jeep, to them I will also say the Constitution did not burden my governor with distribution of Jeeps to traditional rulers.
The Sharia Law governing Kano state and Nigerian Constitution gave all equal opportunities, even though elected officials and public office holders enjoyed special remuneration which is backed by the Constitution. But whatever the reasons for Shekarau to afford such a kind gesture to the Monarchs, all Kanawas are equally important to enjoy such a kind gesture to testify that they have also experience what is known as dividends of democracy.
To critics, my governor have achieved more than enough in all sectors of growth and development. There is clean drinking water, hospitals that distribute free drugs, employment for young and old, well equipped schools and teachers well paid e.t.c there’s more than enough and the government can now spend hundreds of millions to buy Jeeps for its Monarch. The task of governance is enormous and the governor might think that you are all contented with “A Daidaita Sahu” buses and tricycles for your transportation and you may not need Jeeps for your easier movements to conduct your day to day affairs.
As for supporters of the state government in its great stride of bringing about change and development that has never happened in history of Kano state , are also contented and would not mind out of loyalty, sacrifice and dedication even if they do not own tokumbo cars and motorcycles , they do not need the Jeeps. They prefer to continue to be transported in overloaded taxis, old buses, dare devil Achabas or even trek, for them things are moving in order.
But as for me, am looking forward to collect my Jeep as my governor is a man of his words and he led by example. With this , am looking forward to when my demand will be considered and I hope by this every indigene of Kano state will not start demanding for his/her Jeep as the waiting will be too long to meet the supply of demands by manufactures of Jeeps to every indigene of Kano state.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com ‘
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