The Road Map To 2007

By

Musa Isyaku El-Ghude

elghude@yahoo.com

The way and manner April 2007 general election will be conducted has been the main issue of discussion since the defeat of third term. I believe that Nigerians must be very scared and concerned with the level of confrontation by the powers that be on their intention to foisted their cronies on the nation’s leadership. Many columnists especially those that are truly committed to the real cause of democracy with no affiliation to religion, tribe or region are seriously sensitizing Nigerians on the issues ahead. These, however had a recommended and approved legal backing from our patriotic editors. This are commendable efforts. You have done it during the aborted tenure elongation and we expect more from you especially on the conduct of free and fair elections come April 2007.

   It was widely believed that Obj and his foot Garrison commanders were never in the thought that third term will be defeated in the chambers of the National Assembly despite the instruction given by the Garrison commandant–General, A. Ali to support the scheme as a party’s endorsement (not Nigerians). With intervention of Nigerian Media (Print and electronic), Nigerian Masses, Legislators etc God Almighty defeated the scheme (sorry for Anenih of accepting the plead after parting with obj an inch to the defeat). The question now is what next?

The consolidation of our polity has been brazen that only the ruling party’s candidate can be selected (as the case may be) in an elections. What a melancholic politicking is this? Among all the contestants to the presidency, only Gen. Buhari remains a serious aspirant, others are either alleged to be sponsored by ex-this or ex-that. Why are we in this melody of sycophancy? What do we really want to achieve? Some aspirants are sponsored mainly to spoil a popularity of one other powerful contestant or otherwise. The case of Marwa in Adamawa and Tofa in Kano is a clear example. I believed majority of them are known to be big Jokers. How on earth can Yerima contest the Nigerian Presidency under ANPP? Let alone betrayals like Saminu and Abdullahi Adamu. What are their manifestoes? What on earth do they wanted to do in Aso Rock after lavishing over N120 billion each in just 7 years excluding Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with no meaningful development that will reflect the said figure. Not to talk of sycophants like Jerry Gana. However, some other contestants be them serious or not, they are waiting for the state powers blessings before doing so.

INEC as a body responsible to hold a free, fair and acceptable elections seems not to be serious with the tasks ahead of them. The voters registration exercise are not on the pipeline while April 2007 is drawing to the near. I will strongly advise the able prof. Iwu and Zaks Biu to be very much careful with traps set – to – them by obj in an attempt to temper the road map timetable towards April 2007 general elections. This time around, Nigerians will not accept if they dare to repeat the sorrowful episode (Hurricane obj) of April 2003. They will surely regret their actions in so doing as Nigerians are getting more sensitized in the affairs of their nation.

As Nigerians are legimately having the right to be scared on the conducts of elections come April 2007, the powers – that – be are more scared because of their total failure in the governing of the affairs of the Nation since May 29th 1999 to date. They know how they maunder the National Affairs with No respect to the rule of law. No respect to the legislature. No human feelings to the citizens. No considerations to the civil societies etc etc etc etc etc .

The colorful events in the consistent disintegration of PDP and the recent failure of the unconstitutional work of the reconciliatory committee is much admiring. Forget about the decamping of saminu to PDP. As PDP works tirelessly to break the internal structures of the opposition parties, the nemesis caught – up with them. This remembers me the saying of Ebenezer Babatope during the reconciliatory tour in the North West zone that “make sure PDP is re – elected because if we loose many of us would go to prison. Since the political party that wins election will definitely probe the preceding movements, there is likelihood that some of us may go back to jail”. If there is no wrong doings, why all these

Obj will be the top echelon to suffer all these wrong doings. It is believed however, history will continue to remember it self. Objs problem is worst than everything. He has destroyed every institution of Governance he met. The first was destroying the governments policy of rule.  He subsequently destroy the ethics of democracy handed over to him by his colleagues in the military and as well destroying his own party internally as well as the opposition. The judiciary and legislature were not left behind. There was no budget implementation since 1999. That is why Nigerians do not take budget speeches seriously because of lack of implementation. Moreover, there are some unanswered questions. The murder of Bola Ige, Marshal Harry, Okadigbo, Dokubo, Sa’adatu. The odi and zaki biam murder. The other several killings of innocent Nigerians.

The question of N300bn that consistently got missing during the tenure of Obaseki (GMD-NNPC). The question of N290bn NNPC somewhere in January 2006. The N400bn that did not enter the federation account during Objs first tenure  which had a running  battle with Ghali Na’abba. The question of over N400bn meant for repair and construction of roads under Anenihs leadership at works and housing ministry. The N7bn library projects. The question of the scandals of over N100bn Abuja stadium which World Bank said should have cost not less N196bn. The question of the reports of Vicent Azi (then auditor – general) on the stolen N23bn by obj men. The terrorism in Anambra between Gov. Ngige and Chris Ubah. The unconstitutional impeachment of Govs D. S. P Alamisiegha and Ladoja Rasheed. The question of excess crude oil revenue when the budget were predicated at the cost of $27 per barrel in 2004 and $30 per barrel in 2005 which the price of crude oil went above $70 subsequently. The billions of Naira allocated to NEPA (sorry PHCN) which every day Nigeria is getting into darkness. The question of billions of Naira allocated to the National water supply programme. The  waivers directed to be cleared by the customs and excise from the presidency. The collapsing of Agriculture and industrial growth. The N52bn contract awarded for the construction of the Nigerian cultural centre and millennium Tower in Abuja.

Objs Nemesis will caught-up with him in the nearest future. In the late 1970s, he promulgated a law that tried and prosecuted Dimka and co., which Abacha used the same to tried obj and jailed him in mid 1990s. He conspiratedly enact a law on due process after which the National Assembly used and defeated third term. Now this! The EFCC and ICPC are enough to tried and jailed him post May 29 2007. Another Oputa Panel too will play wonders.

The divide and rule episode of Obj is still on course. The recent meetings of Northern and Southern Senators forum is making a beauty more beautiful to our democracy. I wonder if at all south-south or south-east are ready for the Presidency that made them to support the third term project. The 52 senators who publicly denounced the constitutional amendment bill, 3 were from the south – south, 6 from the south-west, 4 from the south east out of 18, 15 and 18 Senators respectively. All the remaining 39 senators were northerners. I am also pleading  with our southern brothers to consider the gentleman’s agreement for the better of our national interest. The presence of Chief S.B Awoniyi, the Danmasanin Kano etc and their subsequent meeting with IBB during the NSF Minna summit is a commendable effort. I also appreciate Gov. Kures’ sense of responsibility to clear the air on the south-south presidential tussle.

Candidly speaking, Nigerians are united to deal with any act of irresponsibility by state powers to undermine the wishers and will of Nigerian people. Be careful, and May God save Nigeria.