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The 2007 Forum, Atiku And The Third Term Plot By Abubakar Yusuf
Recently, the clampdown on anti third term (real and imagined) campaigners has taken the most dangerous dimension it can. The meeting convened by The 2007 Forum on April 5, became the citadel of brazen display of executive lawlessness. The forum (which we are told comprises of about 200 legislators, both from the Senate and house of Representatives), convened a meeting to drum up more support for the already swelled opposition at the Ladi Kwali hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja but to the shock and amazement of the organizers and invitees the police got there before them and mount a shield around the hall. The police commissioner for the FCT Mr. Lawrence Alobi and the SSS Director (Kayode Are) where physically present to show their level of seriousness (to the third term campaign). A member of the national assembly, Francis Amadiegwu (a physically disable member) receives the beating of his life for attempting to cross the police and SSS lines. Mr. Lawrence and Kayode, should remember what befell (Mus)Tafa Balogun ( he “arranged” the security aspect of the 2003, 419 elections) and ACP Danjuma (the Assistant Commissioner of Police involved in the Apo six killings, he was the cop that threw teargas at Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and others in Abuja, during demonstrations against the 2003 elections) of blessed memory, they should keep in mind that governments do come and go, but the ordinary people will continue to remain and the judgment of posterity is indeed just.
The meeting which moved to an alternative venue was successfully held and made its point. The vice president, the latest champion of democracy, made a surprise appearance at the gathering and made some scathing and damaging remarks about the government he is currently serving. One major question the VP needs to answer is why does he continue to serve that same government? Is it because of the constitutional immunity that he enjoys (which suggests that some powerful skeletons are hidden in his cupboard?). And what does he mean when he says “look, when I begin to talk, you will know more”? for all we know is that it takes two to tango.
If the president does not know the gravity of what the VP has done to his credibility, let it be stated that the VP has successfully staged a moral coup against him; he has passed a vote of no confidence on the Presidency. The president who is not a politician (at least he has never behave like one before) is been taught the political intrigues of his life. The ordinary Nigerian will surely be at the receiving end as; we shall be witnessing a failed Presidency where, clearly no meaningful governance will take place between now and elections in 2007 (we shall only witness a brawl between the two gladiators). It is only in Nigeria that a basket mouth like Femi Fani Kayode will be talking to the exalted office of the Vice President on behalf of his master the President; like he did (he has since asked the VP to resign his office if he does not like what is happening in Aso rock).
But the VP will not resign, as that will give his opponent limitless opportunity to send him to the dustbin of history, in this game experience, tactical know-how of the political terrain and a perfect knowledge of the opponent is extremely important. The ruling PDP is not helping matter either, they are behaving like conquerors (with Nigeria and Nigerians’ as their conquered state), whose spoils of war (as they believe) has an unending lifespan, but if recent happenings in the political world are anything to go by, the PDP should have been humbled. The collapse of Likud in Israel, the fall of the orange revolution in Ukraine and the descend of Fatah to Hamas in Palastine, all these are learning points that should have made the PDP think twice before its’ recent pronouncements on the third term issue.
The party (PDP) has decided to make the third term issue, a party policy, with a warning to their “loyal” members to support it or get ready to quit. For now the party is in a quagmire, if it decides to discipline the VP, then the about 200 or so members and legislators that attended the gathering will have to be included. That will have constituted a major blow to the numerical strength of the PDP. The party is now facing a threat from within; members are warning that they may be quitting en-masse to a new party. Predictably, this may be the beginning of the end of the once “largest political party in Africa”.
Also, the crackdown on (Mrs. Funke Adedoyin and others were recently arraigned in Abuja for belonging to an illegal organization) the VP’s political machinery (Turaki Vanguard) has as well been too amateurish. The Turaki Vanguard has been leveled an illegal group, but yet this is the same machinery that facilitated the Presidents’ election in 1999 and 2003.
The list of attendees to The 2007 Forum gathering is indeed intimidating: Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, about four (4) serving governors of the ruling PDP, Uche Chukwumerije (the conveners), Alh. M.D. Yusufu, Alh. Ghali Umar Na’abba, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, Alh. Gambo Jimeta, Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, Niyi Adebayo…… the list is endless. What we want to say to the anti-third term campaigners is that they should keep up the pressure, as in the game of football, like any other game, one major rule is that pressure makes your opponent loose focus and you will eventually defeat your opponent.
They should also know that GOD ALMIGHTY and the ordinary people of this country are solidly behind them.
Abubakar, Yusufu 256, Autan Bawo Street Off-Zoo Road, Kano.
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