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Third Term Saga: The Aftermath By Sadiq Abdussamad Habibullah Sokoto, Nigeria
As we bid adieu to the third term saga and the constitutional amendment (at least for this dispensation), let me congratulate fellow compatriots for staging and winning a formidable battle masked by all forms of abracadabra. Yes, I am using that word because all along Baba Iyabo have not been quoted anywhere by any means saying he was either interested nor was he behind the tenure elongation saga. But all the same, he was however reported to have exclaimed in America that third term was not his priority. It is true that as a leader one must have his areas of priority but that may not stop one from pursuing a pet project somehow somewhere sometime. That may be the reason why Babasanjo has never denied unequivocally been interested in the "sad term" project, unlike his counterpart in South Africa. Who Deceived Who? Although the failure of the project could not have been foreseen since the days of the controversial political reform conference, the self-centered PDP leadership and their sycophants continued to deceive and blindfold Baba thinking that it is yet another time to "fix it" mindless of the fact that the ranks that connived to fixed it in the past is no longer the same. Let me at this point express the sincere delight and appreciation of the selfless Nigerian Youths to the "anti third term" honorable members of the national assembly (NASS) for defying their party directives in favor of the tenets of democracy and the interest of Nigerian project. This move has actually rekindled our earlier lost hope for Nigeria. I am now confident that our hard earned democracy will thrive but not the way of election "riggers and fixers" who have suffered nemesis in the iron hands of Baba Iyabo. But to the pro third term "horrible" members of the NASS may the blood money you collected poison you "acutely". Ameen. Points to Note As we rejoice the victory of democracy we should beware and remain vigilant of its enemies who have fallen extremely bitter with the outcome of a fair democratic proceedings ever witnessed in the life of legislative business of this country. Like my people say "kayar da mage ba yankawa ba". Simply put, knocking down a cat does not mean it is dead, but rather could rise again and stage another fight. This assertion may be right following the "denied" raid by the Nigerian security apparatus on the Abuja office of the impartial AIT, an independent television station, which has been airing the debate on the constitutional amendment live from the floor of the NASS. Another point of note is the ridiculous abuse rained on the distinguished senators who have worked tirelessly to extinguish the cancer that have the potentials to metastasized the Nigerian state and spill over to the sister West African States by the PDP national chairman. Why must he lambaste those honorable men simply because they have exercised their constitutional rights in line with the yearnings of majority Nigerians against the wish of the bloodsucking few? The Abuse In an interview granted to BBC Hausa Service, the man was aired brandishing senators as "yan iska ne, yan banza, ba su son suyi aiki" meaning, "they are hooligans, useless and lazy people". This unguarded statement is unlike of a responsible personality, let alone a statesman that needs to be emulated. Because senators have yielded to the yearnings of Nigerians against their party wish I think they do not deserve such ridicule. However, since we are in a democracy and not military junta the honorable senate should summon the PDP chairman and be made to apologize to the senators as well as Nigeria for that emotional deed. It is indeed fundamental for "Ali must go" to take note of the fact that the practice of true democracy is not for members to toy party line blindly but rather to pursue the interest of the majority of the electorates without compromising the rights of the minority. A cursory look into the recent past will showcase a senator of Democrat extraction in the fore front campaigning against Senator John Kerry of his party in favor of George Bush, a Republican. This is indeed the practice in all advanced democracies. So, recent experience in Nigeria is a testimony to the growth of our young democracy too. Ali should not be aggrieved especially that America is Nigeria's mirror of democracy. Any Sustained Hope For The Desperado? It is pertinent for "Ali must go" to also know that continuation of Baba in the villa is not a guarantee for his leadership of PDP if history is anything to go by. I recall, the riddle started with Chief Solomon Lar, then Barnabas Gemade through Audu Ogbeh the darling of Baba against Chief Sunday Awoniyi. Tafa Balogun, Chief Afolabi, Dr. Mamman Shata and lately Atiku are just a few to mention. All these were once Baba's favorites, but today, no show. A word to the wise is enough. The Possible Dirty Game Like we all know, it is unlike of Baba to allow this rigmarole to fizzle out unceremoniously without the tide blowing away some personalities. The target this time may not unlikely be the leadership of the NASS especially the senate president and his counterpart in the lower chamber for their steadfastness in protecting the principles of fair play as one of the tenets of practicing democracy. At this juncture let me make a plea to the honorable members of NASS and all Nigerians to rise up and resist any form of witch hunting that may likely come up. Once beaten twice shy. The time for vendetta has passed. Conclusion As I round up this piece let me commend the Nigerian press for leading this "anti third term" war to safeguard this much sacrificed nascent democracy. To the leaders of NASS more grease to your knees for allowing level playing grounds despite the terror and intimidation unleashed on you by the self acclaimed champions of "democrazy"; the Alis, the Anenihs, the Kayodes, the Remis and all the thrashed. Once again, Congratulations Nigeria. Congratulations Democracy. Sadiq Abdussamad Habibullah writes from Sokoto, Nigeria.
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