The Sad the Force or the Fought Term

By

Babandi Gumel

bagumel@btinternet.com

As the controversy of the third term described by Dr Tilde as sad term continues Nigerians are left battling themselves about the actual term itself as to whether is going to be third or the fourth doggedly fought by the proponents and vehemently opposed by the opponents. Each one standing firm not wanted to be seen as shifting position moving an inch from where he stands. The owner of the term himself has cleverly continued to remain silent without mincing a word as to whether he is going for this sad term which is miraculously turning into a fought term instead of the fourth term which many fail to notice.

Let us turn to simple arithmetic instead of mathematics which is a bit becoming more and more complicated for Nigerians than mere simple calculation which can be done by even a primary school pupil. Most Nigerians especially the proponents of the extended term always want to equate the term which the President is going to enjoy proposed as the third term while the opponents see as manipulation of yet another sad term which goes against the constitution. Imagine the person who had the opportunity to rule the most populous black nation three times now coming round to get another chance making it the fourth yet being described as only the third term how can we justify this calculation seen as miscalculation?

To recap if we might have forgotten the President enjoyed his first Presidential term as Military Ruler between 1976-1979.He came back as a Civilian President when he was elected mainly by the Northerners in 1999 therefore enjoyed the second term up to the year 2003 again he was re-elected in the same year making it his third term till it expires in May next year. Yet the proponents wanted to change the constitution to enable the president get another opportunity to rule the country for another term seen by majority as third term described as sad term by Aliyu Tilde but in reality as the fourth rather force or fought term whichever way you may be inclined to believe but this difficult term which is increasingly becoming hazardous equation could only be solved by the professional pure mathematicians not ordinary people like us. No wonder if commentators satirically described the term as sad which would be fought ruthlessly to make it the fourth or force term forcing it on people at the same time justifying it as third which has made it sad term as described by brother Tilde. But one interesting thing about the whole episo de is the owner of the term himself the President Commander in Chief a Veteran Seasoned Military professional turned politician who was released from prison to become president refused to be drawn on the controversy so therefore cannot be accused of unnecessarily betraying our trust. We are not yet in the year 2007 therefore let us wait and see what will happen come that time then we can talk and say whatever we like.

The sad term could be turned into happy term when he relinquishes power honourably and hands it over to his successor whoever that might be therefore the accusation of the so called hidden agenda could turn out to be unfounded without slightest justification. The President who would be the longest serving leader in the Country should be grateful to God for giving him the opportunity to serve several terms at the same time thank Nigerians for rallying round him during his tenures which have so many ups and downs but despite all these he tried to justify the confidence reposed in him of uniting the country which he should be commended. Now it is time to give other Nigerians the chance to show their ability or inability to do what the President could do and couldn’t do.

They say the spectators are always critical with the players in this case it is the president who is the player and we Nigerians are the spectators always want point out some corrections which needed to betaken care of. So when he himself becomes a spectator he can easily point out to the new player what goes wrong in the play which Allah has described the life of this world as nothing but play and idle talk pageantry and boasting among ourselves and rivalry in respect of wealth and children whereof the growth is pleasing to husbandman drying up turning yellow and finally becoming straw. So exactly anybody who has ever tasted the sweetness of power would not like to leave it so this is why the politicians who enjoyed power like the President who should not be accused of being alone, wanted to taste the same power if given the second third or even the fourth which has to be fought making it sad by forcing it on the people at the same time implying as if it was not forced.

The politics in our country is so diversified making it interesting compared with most of the African and other third world nations whom we can confidently say we are ahead of them only we need to do better. Our press are freer compared with many developing countries while the people are allowed to exercise their freedom saying whatever they like without having to battle with the security unlike in many countries. My Nation is one of the freest if not one of the most democratic Nation running both Sharia and democracy at the same time giving people the multiple choices which unfortunately some people were trying to misuse engaging in unfortunate subversive activities in the name of freedom .We must help the president in his effort to unite the country not subverting or causing disunity among t he people making us go backward instead of moving forward. Even though the Country is metamorphosing from nascent to real democracy the president is trying hard to bring the country together in a difficult but trying time which many Nigerians fail to appreciate. At least whether he goes or not come May 2007 he would still be remembered as the longest serving Head of State who served the Nation at different capacities therefore needed to be respected.

At the same time he also needs to respect the opinions of Nigerians who entrusted him with power rather than few cliques surrounding him giving advice that may not be in the in the interest of the Nation .If Nigerians say is enough he should honourably consider exiting the scene rather than dictating or imposing himself on them which may not be in his own interest. In the meantime many Nigerians do admire and respect his ability to continue to show tolerance and commitment to democratic rights and principles which has made him cham pion but more needed to be done. The banning of Hisbah in Kano should carefully be reviewed giving every state government the right to impose their own localised laws so as to maintain the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution which must be respected. Who knows may be the so called sad term would end up with a happy note handing over the baton to the next successor come May 2007. So let us wait and see as we have good and high expectation about the Commander.

This is why the President is not saying anything at the moment about this controversial saga seen by some as sad or force turn which ought to be fought by any means .At any rate the Nigerians are left arguing among themselves whether this is a third or a sad term a fourth or a force term. Whatever we may say he does not care unlike the Mubarak, Mugabe or Musaveni the longest serving MUS democrats in the continent who have enjoyed more than two decades of rule in their respective domains and yet no date of giving up the President kept his lips sealed listening to both arguments the pros and the antes every one trying his best to sell his argument to the present buyers Nigerians who would decide. So at least if President OO gives up the throne come May 2007 many Nigerians including his opponents would cheer him up wishing him a happy retirement after serving more than eleven years beating his nearest rival General Gowon who served for nine years as military leader and not civilian which the President enjoyed both.