DPP, Incumbency and Politics of Emasculation

By

Dahiru Maishanu

moyeejoh@yahoo.com

 London

 

 

The emergence of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP and other newly registered parties in the Country has been seen as a development that would give Nigerians more options and choices in the political foray. This is more timely as it came on the heels of the dictatorial exhibitions of the ruling PDP, the in-house rioting in the ANPP and the fast extinguishing prowess of the AD.

 

The Party has since started settling down and making deft moves to get to the roots of the country’s political tree. This is more pronounced in Sokoto than in any other State for obvious reasons. This is due to the fact that Governor Bafarawa is one of the main pillars of the party and will characteristically push forward all his energy to the success of the party, at least in the state where he has been governor since 1999. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

 

The Party has been seen as a new platform for the Governor and his supporters to re- assert themselves after decamping from the ANPP. The understanding of everybody is that a level playing field was created for both parties and indeed any other party that intends to participate in the politics of the state.  But the usual Nigerian factor seems to be crippling at a very fast rate in this regard.

 

Reports making the rounds are disturbing and dangerous, to say the least. Although, the improper use of the power of incumbency in politics is not completely new in Nigeria’s political history, that does not still make it a right thing to do as well. It is also not new for commentators and human rights activists to point out this to the rulers when they see them take undue advantage of their positions and trust given to them by the citizens. The greatest disservice a leader can do to his constituency is to use state resources and funds to unfairly advance his own political or economic interest or that of his cronies or associates. Unfortunately, however, this indiscriminate use of state influence, might and resources seem to be rearing its ugly face in many states of the federation, as intense politicking against next year’s elections continues.

 

Since the registration of the DPP, delicate political manoeuvres have been taking place in Sokoto which point to the direction of political emasculation of the opposition via the use the almighty power of incumbency.  This is already seen as counter attacks by the ruling clique, in order to stem the rising profile of the former Deputy Governor who is now calling the shots at the ANPP in the state.

 

The mobilisation process of the DPP in Sokoto seems to be giving it away as the government party which uses incumbency power coupled with forceful emasculation tactics to achieve its aim at all cost. How do you explain the forceful involvement of civil servants in the mobilisation drive of the party? Civil servants are being compelled to participate in the party campaigns and rallies or risk loosing their jobs. As if that is not enough, civil servants are being appointed in the care taker committees of the party at the ward, local government and state levels as coordinators which runs contrary to the provisions of the constituency. The recent appointment of the Secretary to the Government into a formal party position among others, while still in service has raised many questions.

 

Civil servants, according to reports, are being levied to contribute money for the party against their will. As a result of this government interference in normal politicking, all government work and services have been paralysed.

 

The traditional institution is also embroiled into this game of political castration. This is happening at the highest level as the Magajin Gari in person of Alhaji Hassan Marafa, a senior Councillor of the Sultan’s Council is feared to be the first casualty soon to be swallowed in this power game. It is alleged that pressure is being mounted on His Eminence, the Sultan, to sack this powerful Councillor who is a King maker and Member of the State Council of Chiefs. Alhaji Hassan is also Grand Son of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

 

The reason for this is connected to the young Councillor’s rich circle of friends and connections from all around the country which may pose a danger to the prospects of the DPP. The recent removal of Sarkin Kudun Gatawa in Sabon Birni local government is also sending conflicting signals to observers who point to an ulterior motive that smacks of complicity on the part of the Government.

 

The polity also, seems to be religiously polarised; a very dangerous trend that could destroy the very fabric of the layers of the foundation of the state. Here, there has been an allegation that some powerful people in the administration have some sympathy for the minority Shiite religious sect in the state against the Sunni majority. This connection is being exploited by some overzealous officials who are using tactics to polarise the state along the religious divide. In Sokoto today, you are either a Shiite DPP or an ANPP Sunni; a new twist that can only take us to the abyss rather than the Promised Land.

 

The recent spate of arrests and detention of some citizens of the state is also a source of concern. Here, the vociferous religious leaders are taking the largest share as they have some of their leaders incarcerated as a result of their radicalised sermons to their congregations against new trends in the State. Even people who paste ordinary posters of the opposition candidates, on the streets are being intimidated and arrested. There are reports that some people have been harassed for pasting the posters of the former Deputy Governor in the city of Sokoto. This is wrong and must be condemned by all democrats in the state and beyond.

 

While all these are going on, my concern is, this will only give the outgoing Governor an unfair farewell disposition from the state. Dragging the name of his Excellency to the mud by people with inordinate ambition who want to ride in his hard earned reputation to achieve their avaricious and political ambitions is unfair and derogatory to their mentor and benefactor. 

 

Hiding under his popularity and connections at this time when he is rounding up his second and final tenure as Governor is improper and portrays the candidates as mere political liabilities who cannot stand on their own. If the Governor allows this, he stands to lose, as those opportunists are only fighting for their selfish interests even if that means inflicting on him, an injury that will be too late to address when the die is cast. These people would be the major obstacle between his Excellency and a well deserved statesman role in the state after May, 2007.

 

Those looking for elective offices in the state should sell themselves through their manifestoes and programs, not through dragging the Governor’s name and office to achieve their ambitions. They should desist from using state apparatus, funds and might to intimidate opponents and bribe gullible electorates.

 

They should face the reality that the ANPP, at the moment, has a bigger clout, and spread, in addition to more sophisticated organisational machinery, instead of mesmerizing the Governor with an imaginary title of Professor of Politics with the Midas touch without whom nothing can be possible in the State. They should base their campaigns on superior ideas and ambitious, reliable and achievable programs of actions for the benefit of the people of the state, rather than clinging to an expired pride that would take them nowhere.

 

Let the DPP in the State pay its own dues, independent of the Government and the Governor. Let them bring credible, enlightened candidates who will contest with the opposition, instead of embarking on praise singing, unqualified hero-worshipping and use of the power of incumbency to emasculate and strangle the opposition.

 

Let Sokoto be once again, the shining star of the North; the Home of Sir Ahmadu Bello, and his Cousin Sir Abubakar III. The State that produced Yahaya Gusau, Tunau Mafara, Alhaij Shehu Shagari, Muazu Lamido, Shehu Kangiwa and Hamzat Ahmadu.

 

Our history is rich; let no crony, no empty barrel, and no empty headed ‘attachment’ be an obstacle to our resurgence after the fallout of the last seven years. Let the Bed-bugs, the Hangers-on, the Sooth-Sayers and the Deceivers leave our Governor alone. His attachment to the DPP is no excuse for the complicity and seeming culpability of the government in the indiscriminate use of incumbency power to introduce fear and intimidation to both the electorate and the opposition.