Group Calls For Equity In Political Appointments

By

Hassan Garba Pella

hgpella@yahoo.com

“No matter how imperfect or unimportant an issue, if you have a contribution, make it. It is better than not making it” -Udoma Udo Udoma

On National. Confab, NTA 2005. This article is in response to the report written by Aboky Suleiman titled “Group calls for equity in political appointments” and published in Daily trustof Wed. Aug. 3, 2005. The report was based on a press statement issued in Lafia by a group aptly called Hong Development Association. The press statement was calling for “fair share of political power between the various communities of Hong local Government Area of Adamawa state”.

I am not contesting the existence of the said association, neither am I questioning the Integrity and good intentions of the people involved with the association; my article is geared on correcting some impressions created in the press statement as reported, identifying some major political problems, proffering possible solutions and offering some advice.

Taking the issues as raised in the report, the group stated that “since the creation of Hong Local Government Council in 1979, the elective and appointment positions have always been concentrated in the interior zone of the Area,” and that “---people from the central part of Hong Local Government Area have never been appointed as commissioners or elected as council Chairmen ever since the local government was created”

While I agree with the above statement, I wish to draw the attention of Hong Development Association (HDA) to the basic fact that politics is a game of numbers and strategies. I believe that any eligible candidate is free to contest election or get appointed to a political office irrespective of whether he or she is from the interior zone or the central part of Hong Local Government Area.

We are all aware of the fact that politics in Hong Local Government Area is dominated and controlled by a clique of Self styled politicians who live and operate within Hong Town. These politicians have constituted themselves into a kind of political godfathers and king makers. Without their goodwill and approval, one cannot participate or succeed in politics. They determine who becomes what in Hong Local Government Area as far as politics is concerned. Little wonder then, that they will always prefer candidates who are closer to them politically.

It is on record that during the last Local Government elections, some candidates came out from Hong to contest for the chairmanship of the council, but were not given a chance. Not even one of them was allowed through the primaries due to political manipulations and machinations in Hong.

Based on these realities, if we are to be sincere to our selves to ponder a little while and observe very closely, we might find the solution to the above mentioned problems lurking around the corner not very far away from us. We should try to look inwards for solutions to our political problems. In doing so, I advice Hong Development Association to conduct a research at home and outside with a view to finding out why people from Hong central areas never get appointed or elected to political positions. The report of such a research will surely surprise many of  us.

Rather than complain unnecessarily, Hong Development Association (HDA) should, armed with the research report, embark on a vigorous sensitization campaign and political Education of its citizens on the need for active participation in politics. People of impeccable and untainted characters, with good track records of service should be encouraged to join politics, provided they have the overall interests of Hong Local Government Area at heart.  They should also be supported. Politics should not be left in the hands of a few individuals to do as they please. HDA, this is a task that must be done!   I t is a known fact that Hong Local Government is in need of a visionary leadership. A leadership that will exist not only to pay monthly salaries and settle political stalwarts as is applicable in some places, but also bring about much needed development in terms of infrastructure and social services, Education and Health, Job creation for youth, revenue generation, e.t.c. Our land is endowed with vast human and natural resources which when adequately harnessed are capable of transforming it for the betterment of our people. Without good leadership, there cannot be progress. Without Progress there cannot be development. Without development, there cannot be dividend of democracy.

The present leadership should please take note of this, and work harder towards this end.  To enjoy the dividend of Democracy, we need unity. Classifying our people into “interior” and “central” zones will not augur well for our collective unity at this crucial time of our existence. Our people are hardworking, peace loving and very hospitable. They have always lived peaceably with themselves and their neighbours without discrimination.

As we solicit and canvass for support, development and a more sense of belonging for our respective communities, we should not do it at the expense of our collective unity by making uncomplimentary remarks that is capable of causing disaffection among us. Therefore, to achieve our set goals and objectives we should continue to adopt the tradition of Huba biyama,(Kilba-Forward Ever) the binding slogan of all kilba. This way, we can be sure that our local communities get united attract the attention of the government. Remember, Dabti kor kwa shilna biyama (Unity brings about development).