|
A Rejoinder To Hamza Balarabe Yakasai; Kwankwaso: When Enemies Overreach Themselves By Abdu Isa Kofarmata
Ideally, I should not have wasted my time to respond to the above captioned write up. But it has become imperative, especially in this era of political sycophancy, where some jobless people in the name of politics and democracy have to turn our political terrain into one lucrative venture; to put it mildly, politics of bread and butter.
This write up is a response to Hamza Balarabe Yakasai’s article published in the weekly trust newspaper of august 27- September 2, 2005, volume 8 number 39, in which he accused me of being sentimental and parochial. He accused me further of being too aggressive and holding personal grudges and hatred against who I believe is his political god-farther and bread provider.
One important observation that should not escape the minds of critical and educated readers is the fact that throughout Hamza’s submission, he was unable to dispute, deny or reject all the charges contained in my article titled “End of the road for Kwankwaso”. The undeniable fact, as contained in the said article, is that, his mentor or bread provider Rabiu Plumber is arrogant, uncompromising and haughty personality. This, I shall explain later.
In my article “End of the road for Kwankwaso”, I clearly stated the huge losses suffered by Kano State and its citizens during the ruler ship of Rabiu Kwankwaso. My questions here are; was it not during Kwankwaso’s maladministration that Kano state recorded huge losses under the Federal government programme of NAPEP? And this was due to the arrogant posture of Kwankwaso toward the then minister of labor, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe.
Was it not during his regime that Kano state was denied hosting of national sports festival and the super eagles matches, which have now been granted to the state under the leadership of the opposition party? Was it not true that with all his loyalty to president Obasanjo, Kano state indigenes were denied federal appointments? Remember the case of Comptroller General of Immigration Service.
Can Hamza Balarabe with all honesty and sincerity enumerate the number of projects executed by Obasanjo’s federal government during the four years of Kwankwaso’s ruler ship? Hamza Balarabe accused me also of using Gamji web site to lunch an attack on his political god-farther, thereby informing them indirectly not to honor my articles in the future. This is very typical of Kwankwaso’s cronies and advisers. It is my pleasure to inform Hamza Balarabe that it is not only Gamji web site that I use in exercising my fundamental human right of expression. He can as well write to the web managers of amanaonline. Com, nigerdeltacongress.com etc. These web sites and many more are beyond the manipulation of Nigerian governors as it happened to many state owned radio and television. It is possible for them to dictate who and who should be granted audience in those media houses. It might interest readers to know if Balarabe Hamza wanted the managers of those sites listed above to give me the same treatment Kwankwaso gave to Ray Power radio when they allowed Umar Yakubu Danhassan to advertised and campaigned in their station during the 2003 gubernatorial election. The recent verbal assault by Kwankwaso’s cronies meted on the incumbent governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and his government on Freedom FM radio in Kano could not have gone Scot free if the government were under the ruler ship of despotic people like Kwankwaso, it is therefore logical for autocratic leaders like Kwankwaso who by virtue of holding political offices to manipulate and dictate to the state owned newspapers and radio stations but could hardly contend with the internet pages that guarantee equal opportunities for all regardless of his political leaning and background.
The argument put forward by Hamza Balarabe that Kwankwaso was the most performing governor in the history of the state is shallow and empty. All the elephant urban road projects executed by Kwankwaso were aimed at siphoning the state’s resources. The roads lack quality by every standard. For instance, the present administration is undertaking the re-construction of IBB way which Kwankwaso’s government spent millions of naira to repair. Similarly, the link road named after Obasanjo (undeservedly, because he has not done anything to Kano state) which connects Ibrahim Taiwo road with Abdullahi Bayero way is not only un motor able but a simple way of destroying our vehicles. The other link road which connect civic centre road is not motor able even with the type of jeep used by the Honorable Defense Minister.
To argue on education is like a chicken taking itself to the oven. The claim by Hamza Balarabe that Kwankwaso established state university is laughable. I was privileged to serve Kano state government as Budget examiner/analyst for seven years in the Budget and Economic Planning Directory. that gave me the privilege to know the initial plan to establish state university. I can tell anybody who cares to know the level of progress this university project had reached as at the time Kwankwaso took over the mantle of the state, because I had a good insight into the affairs of the institution as a Budget Officer then.
Agriculture is one sector that suffered serious neglect by Kwankwaso’s administration. Though a rural farmer, Rabiu kwankwaso expended ^589 million only on agriculture between May, 1999 – May, 2002. This is contained in the book titled LAND MARK IN KANO STATE, published by his administration. Ironically, the same government spent ^1 billion in the construction of governor’s lodge in Abuja. See Guardian newspaper of Monday 27th august 2001 within the same period.
Another empty argument put forward by Hamza Balarabe is the issue of water supply in the state. If Kwankwaso’s administration performed in the area of water supply, why then is the need for the present regime in the state to embark on new water treatment plant at Tamburawa? In fact, water supply in Kano during the Kwankwaso’s maladministration was so bad to warrant a special report by BBC Hausa service, which was aired and monitored on 13th august, 2001. Perhaps, my friend Hamza did not hear this or if he did, he may have forgotten.
The issue of civil servant and pensioners is not even worth commenting, because civil servants in the state have never had it so bad like during the period May 1999-May 2003. Workers were retrenched, dismissed, demoted and for four years, no civil servant on any grade or cadre was promoted. Pensioners at different times had to resort to prayers for their entitlements. All forms of abuse, neglect, and persecution were meted on them. It was even alleged that the then governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, made blasphemous statement by telling the pensioners “are you tired of reporting the situation to God that you come to me”. Kun gaji da gayawa Allah ne ku kazo nan ku gaya mini? He mockingly told the pensioners that even “the living ones (serving civil servants) did not matter to me talk less of you the dead”.
Even though I am not holding brief or speaking on behalf of the incumbent governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, it is our prophet who enjoined all Muslims to tell the truth no matter who is involved. One important point scored by Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau is the relative peace that the state is able to enjoy within the two years of his stewardship. No more armed soldiers and mobile policemen in our mosques, and our streets as if we are living in Gaza strip or west bank.
In addition, he has settled Immediate all outstanding pensions and gratuities, instituted prompt payment of monthly salaries and pensions, massively recruited teachers and medical personnel, invest heavily in agriculture as well as construction of good and qualitative roads. Above all these, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has respect for our elders in the state, even where they share different political or religious philosophy.
In the last part of his submission, Hamza Balarabe accused Mallam Shekarau for saying the truth concerning the congratulatory massage sent to him by Kwankwaso. His claim was that, if Kwankwaso was arrogant, he should not have congratulated Shekarau for the victory. Dole a cewa mijin iya Baba, ko bashi ya haife ka ba. This is completely out of context and share ignorance of what really transpired between the duos at the point of handing over. For the purpose of this write-up, I have herewith attached picture of the handing over ceremony and wish that the editor will do us a favor by inserting it in the middle of this write-up. This would certainly allow the respected readers to judge and comment on what was written on the face of the defeated governor. Certainly, it would vindicate the assertion on Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.
At this point, I wish to make it very clear to Hamza Balarabe that I am not a member of ANPP and have no intention of becoming one. Therefore, he should spare Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and stop blaming him for my actions. In fact I have more political leaning with Rabiu Kwankwaso than Mallam Shekarau. Hamza Balarabe should rather blame Kwankwaso for his incompetence and maladministration in Kano state for four years he was a governor. Thomas Fuller asserted that “two things a man should never be angry at; what he can help and what he cannot help”.
Again, there is no hatred whatsoever between my humble self and your bread provider as alleged. And there is no basis for enmity against Kwankwaso. Kindly refer to my article or letter published in the Weekly Trust newspaper of September 28-October 4, 2001. In that publication, I cautioned His Excellency about his rude and arrogant behavior and predicted his defeat in 2003 if he did not retract his steps.
As I mentioned above, there is no basis for hatred and enmity between Kwankwaso and I. He is a Muslim, Fulani and an indigene of Kano state like me, so why should I hate him for God sake? The only slight difference is the fact that while Kwankwaso is a villager, I happen to be Dan Birni and this has to do with place of our birth. All my actions was informed by the saying of our Great Prophet, Muhammad S.W.A. “THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN YOU WILL HAVE LEADERS WHO WILL GRAB AND CORNER ALL YOUR WEALTH. THEY WILL TELL YOU LIES AND YOU WILL NOT BE DEEMED LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC UNTIL YOU ACCEPT THESE LIES FOR TRUTH. THEY WILL ALSO BRING ABOUT A LOT OF EVIL AND CORRUPTION AND YOU WILL NOT BE DEEMED LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC UNTIL YOU ACCEPT THESE AS VIRTUES (WHEN SUCH TIME COMES) TELL THEM THE TRUTH EVEN IF THIS LEADS TO FIGHTING. SHOULD ANY OF YOU BE KILLED IN THE PROCESS, HE WOULD HAVE DIED A MARTYR”.
Similarly, Aliyu Bn Abi Talib (R.A) said “TO SEE INJUSTICE AND PASS WITHOUT AS MUCH AS A WORD IS ITSELF INJUSTICE”. Therefore, although my write up come rather too late, it may serve as food for thought for others to come; and for Engineer (DR) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to seek to mend his fences now and in the future. I rest my case.
|