Is Joshua Chibi Dariye

Is Joshua Chibi Dariye, the Suspended Governor of Plateau State, An 'idiot'?

By
Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MILT.

An idiot in English means, a person of extremely low intelligence or an utter fool. In view of the previous and recent killings and destruction of properties in Plateau State and the subsequent suspension of Joshua Chibi Dariye as the State Governor. I would say if he is found to be part of the problem for communal conflicts in his own state then he behaved as an 'idiot'.

Anyone who knows anything about Plateau State, will know it was one of the best place to live in Nigeria. Apart from its mild weather condition and beautiful scenery, the people are among the most friendly and liberal in Nigeria. Jos, as the capital of Plateau state was one of the most Metropolitan place in Nigerian Cities where people of all assorted origins and believes live in harmony for a long time. The Igbos (Ibos) in particular, during Governor Solomon Lar government enjoyed the most peaceful time in Plateau State, and felt much at home as they would in Enugu or Onitsha. Lar was one of the best Governors Plateau State have had, during his administration there was a high programme of education - some of us have had the opportunity of training overseas. I do not know his Politics these days but he left his legacy on many young and progressive minds.

The history of Plateau State was a Magnet for many people. As a mining geological and agricultural region, it attracted merchants from Tripoli (Libya) and Europe, with flourishing commercial activities between the Hausas and the natives of Jos, the Beron and others since the discovery of mining around 1700-1750. The Proprietor of my former College (Prince College of Commerce, Jos) Mr. Okparido came from the former Midwest, long time ago, settled and made his money in Jos.

The influxes of the Hausas (probably before 1700) were for commercial trading and not for spreading Islam to the natives because there are very few Plateau indigenes that have converted to Islam. In addition, Plateau State has history of social and economic integration with the arrivals of Kanuri (Kambari) from Maiduguri, who settled in Lafia; Tivs from the now Benue State, settled all over the then Plateau State (now in new Nasarawa State); Yoruba from the West, Igbos from the East, and many others, settled all over Plateau and made it there home. Our Politicians and Leaders are obsessed by the status of indigenes. Many societies that have developed and progresses benefited from Migration and immigration, United States is an example of the ideals of integration.

Now, we hear allegations that, one Joshua Dariye, a so-called born-again Christian wanting non-Christians and non-indigenes out of Plateau State? Read an inspiring piece by Umar Bello: Dariye's suspension, the untold story (www.gamji.com/amviews321.htm). We want to hear his reason or reasons. Plateau has accommodated many different people in the past, many were born there and do not know anywhere else to call home. If an Executive Governor who is supposed to be the custodian for all wants a group out of the State, where do they go? Where can one send Dan'Maraya Jos to (a famous and loved Plateau Singer) and who adopted 'Jos' as his surname? There is no constitutional stipulation or law that one has to live in a place of his/her birth because as Nigerians we should feel free to live wherever, we choose. If the Man is allowed to carry on with the careless whispers, another crazy person will be asking Nigerians to show a passport before visiting another state in Nigeria because of the obsession with the status of indigenes.

I am a little bit disappointed that many people I respect include Balarabe Musa, Colonel Abubakar Umar, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, Professor Wole Soyinka, Gani Fawehinmi and others are shedding tears for Joshua Dariye's suspension. I expect much more wisdom and better judgement from those leaders and elders because President Obansanjo has won the moral argument over any reason or reasons advanced by anybody. Joshua Dariye was suspended by the Presidency not on academic or legal debate. It was about lost of lives and his incompetence to provide safety and security in his State for all, pure and simple, nothing personal. Constitution or Law is designed to safeguard life and property. What is the use of a constitution or law if a life is threaten or lost by use of it?

President Olushegun Obasanjo has been criticised in the past for lack of action, whatever are individuals or groups differences with the President, if he does one good thing, let us give him some praise and a pat on the back for job well done. If the suspension of Dariye from office can save one life and give the communities time to reflect, let him be suspended one hundred times, and be a lesson to other rogues governors. The President should not give apology to anyone for his action. He is morally right to suspend the misguided man and it is within his presidential prerogative to demand State governor discharge his duties accordingly - rogues governors' watch out you could be next! I think Dariye has not been part of what made Plateau State great in the past and a delightful place to live. He does not have political or intellectual pedigree in Plateau State.

The heavy-weights of Plateau Politics and administration includes such names as, the Rwang Pam family, Fom family, Dimka family, Joseph Gomwalk family, David Jonah Jang, Damishi Sango, Emmanuel Elayo (Osana of Keana), Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu (Governor of Nasarawa State), Ms Hannatu Chollom, Alhaji Yahaya Kwande, M. D. Makama, Maxwell Yakubu, Victor Pam, Solomon Lar and many others. We grew up with those names and they led the State in peaceful coexistence.

Joseph Gomwalk as the Governor of the then Benue-Plateau State believed in good Institutions and government Structure as an enabler and catalyst for economic and social development. Solomon Lar as a Governor believed in education and social integration in Plateau State, hence the nickname, 'Lar - Social Governor'. What has the name like Joshua Dariye believe in (probably himself) and done for Plateau State image?

I went to Secondary School in Jos and have spent half of my life in Plateau State learning and working. From my personal experiences, I have lived, met different people in Plateau not only from within Nigeria but from different parts of the World, and we have lived in peace. One of my best friends, a Beron and Christian, named his first Son after mine - that is the depth of friendships and loyalty of Plateau people. Therefore, violence and prejudices in the main has not been part of Plateau people and this was true yesterday, today and tomorrow, something must have gone wrong to drive people to such extreme behaviours.

Today there is mistrust and mutual hatred between many communities, especially between Muslims and Christians: Hausas and so-called indigenes fought/killed each other in Jos and Christians/Muslims fought/killed each other in Yelwa-Shendam, for what? Some claimed to defending their culture or religion. If you have a strong and good culture, other people may like to emulate some of its good qualities and God can look after his religion. Individuals or groups with hidden agendas used such emotive languages to divert attention from development programme that people who elected them expect from the government or promoting their self-interests.

While Plateau State was in flames, Joshua Chibi Dariye, was reported (Apprended in London, Suspended in Abuja, by Tokunbo Adedoja of ThisDay, 19/5/04), to have been detained in London, over allegations of money laundering. So when he was allegedly preaching hatred and calling for bloodshed in his own State - he was stashing away unexplained €1.3million (1.3million Euros) into his account in London. What a contradiction, on one hand a Holy Man, preaching the gospel of Jesus, and on the other hand, public funds for social and economic development, have been converted into personal account.

If Joshua Chibi Dariye want to misappropriate the State money that is up to him but not on other people's blood. Either the people will find out he was deceiving them all along or he will be caught by his own nemesis. Nigeria is one of the most complex societies to rule but Plateau State is an exception because the past rulers have had it easier as the people are less argumentative and troublesome. Dariye should have thank Jesus Christ that he achieved the position of leadership of plateau people and to mess up in such a big way is an action of an 'idiot' or for that matter anyone who advocates or killing of an opposition or people they do not like is an action of extremely low intelligent person.

Abubakar Adamu is a Transport Logistician and work with Virgin Trains in UK.