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 ‘