Last week, we concluded our political series MY VOTE IS…FOR or AGAINST (all thirteen episodes of which are available at https://linkedin.com/in/bala-muhammad-0784384) on the 2019 election season by celebrating Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a cerebral politician who has epitomised contemporary leadership, mentorship and political dexterity that Arewa genuinely lacks, and craves. Many readers agree with the Column’s position; but some feel that all hope is not yet lost on the current ‘bird at hand’ (which may be worth the two in the Nigerian bush):
ALHAJI GIDADO MUKHTAR, ELDER STATESMAN ([email protected]): Bala, I can understand your palpable frustration. But you have to understand that you are not alone. It is just that some of us can voice it out, while some can’t – some for lack of opportunity; some for lack of will. But I think we cannot give up on this President, yet. It is true as said by many who know him quite closely that he is ‘captive’, whether in the physical or metaphysical sense. But we shall continue to advise – per chance he or even his ‘captors’ can help implement our pieces of advice. As you know, when you meet this man, the current president, you can almost touch his spirit of good intention, especially in his resolve to fight corruption or, beyond that, the will to attenuate the age-long predation and prebendal pillage plaguing the nation. You may recall that the full implementation of the TSA has succeeded in somewhat plugging this hemorrhage, and it has been a systemic step of reducing corruption. What we next need is a moral redemption of the polity to consolidate on the gains of the done ‘goods’, such as the evidential success against the territorial Boko Haram, if not the ideological. And hasn’t the president almost resolved those obtrusive annual fuel queues? What he should now care for, or someone should care for him, is the legacy he would want to be remembered for; as a person and as a leader of this government. Many areas await his decisive action – succession process and a potential successor who will build on what he has done (and I see that is where your piece was targeting); building and institutionalising the ruling party to check the current system of whimsical behaviour of especially Nigerian governors (which he can start by bringing his own party’s governors into line by ascribing some bare minimums, such as at least paying salaries); then he has to countervail the current lopsidedness in his almost every project by turning his attention to where he got his votes; he must lead in disaggregating and devolving political units and zones for effective policy impact and competitive advantages. The agricultural revolution is praiseworthy – but massive subsidies (in the form of inputs and implements) are needed to make the desired impact. Every nation in the world subsidises food, so he shouldn’t listen to any advice of wholesale private-sector driven this and that. Again, there should be consolidation of all revenues from the government’s cash cows (NNPC, NPA, NCS, IRS etc.) to prevent any and all leakages. Finally, the president, or his handlers, must institute some element of ‘state liaison offices’ to oversee implementation of policies and promises to the electorate, especially in states where his party won. If he does well, even the opposition parties will borrow a leaf or two. This talk about ‘independence’ of federating units is counter-productive and detrimental, as these governors are taking everyone for a ride; a rough, uneasy ride!
- RUQAYYA NASIR SANI ([email protected]): You said – “Over here in Arewa, there is no mentoring anywhere, nepotistic or otherwise.” And I say I’m in total agreement. There is no mentoring in Arewa. Even in this our [medical] profession there’s hardly any mentoring, especially here in Arewa. You are on your own to figure your way around, and the tragic part of it is that most people cannot even voice this out this fact comfortably and confidently. Allah Ya shirye mu. Amin.
MUHAMMAD YAHUZA ([email protected]): At the last paragraph of your write up, you said “…Kaduna-Kano modern rail line a la Lagos-Ibadan…” This makes us recall the advice you incessantly gave to PMB that the Lagos-Kano standard gauge double track rail line should be started from both ends. Nothing can be fairer and just like this; that is if our votes really mattered. I had the rare privilege of meeting PMB at the Villa two days before the presidential election. I told him that when he wins the election (which bi-izinilLah by then I was confident he would, and he did), he should endeavour to complete the Mambilla Hydroelectric Project; the Lagos-Kano rail line (by starting from this end as well); the Second Niger Bridge; the Abuja-Kano and Lagos-Ibadan roads reconstructions. I told him if he completed those projects, his name will forever be written in gold in our history books. Therefore, we should not wait for anybody, even if he is a Jagaba or ‘Jabaya’ to come and abandon these projects and leave us biting our figures!
YUS-FAH DAWAKI ([email protected]): I stand with leaders who have passion and love for everyone irrespective of tribe, religion or region. I pity the extra judicial killing of innocent Kolade of Lagos by those unprofessional police officers, and I was pleased with the presidency’s immediate vigor and swift response in condemning the killing of the innocent Yoruba boy. But the baffling thing was how the presidency up to that time never acknowledged the gruesome massacre of defenseless civilians up here in poor North West, specifically Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina. Neither the president nor the governors who hold sway at the states levels up to that time have taken the drastic measures expected of them. Haba! If not for our massive North Western votes, all of them will have been history by now. So, is this the reward for standing with the political leaders through thin and thick, mostly thin? Why are the major media houses mute? Is it that every authority is unconcerned on the rampage befalling us North Westerners? Are we not humans like Kolade? When the president realised that the opposition could be able to rig him out, did we not hear him ordering fire for fire for electoral offenders? Why not in Zamfara, why not in Kaduna? Haba! I repeat, if not for our massive votes, even the president would have been history by now. Kidnappers waylay us, kidnap us, place a ransom on us, impoverish all our relatives and communities, and kill us if the ransom is late, or inadequate. So, we cannot even ply our own country’s roads? We cannot go out to earn a living? Why the long silence? I repeat, if not for our massive North Western votes, all of you political leaders will have been history by now. Haba! Enough is enough! We will soon be ‘occupying’ Nigerian roads until our safety is assured, until the Federal Government and the President recognise our sacrifices and our unflinching support. We weep for Kolade, but we weep for ourselves more! May the Almighty open the eyes of our leaders and make them appreciate our existence as human beings!
WELCOME, RAMADAN: The Holy Month of Ramadan is approaching. This year in sha Allah this Column intends to run a series on NGOs and other philanthropic organisations making a difference in the lives of the poor (the orphan, the widow, etc) in the spirit of this most spiritual of Islamic months. So if your NGO is doing or planning such, drop us an email that answers the “Five W’s and H” (What/Why/Who/Where/When/How) of your work. May Allah enable us see Ramadan and benefit from its blessings.
