First Governors Retreat, the Yar’Adua Conviction

By

Abbas A. Dikko

ibndikko11@yahoo.com

 

The month of October in the last quarter of this year, can be regarded as a period of series of retreats, the first was that of the Governors, followed by that of the SFG/SSG’s and later that of the Senators of the Federal republic of Nigeria. The focal point is/was to evolve mechanisms and strategies within the confine of the law of natural justice and constitutional provisions that would usher-in good governance, which in the end would pave way for political stability and economic prosperity so that, this country can thrive.

 

However, the gathering of the 36 governors in Abuja for this retreat was more of vital importance compare to that of the SFG/SSG’s and the Senators because of their strategic position in the polity and economy. Graciously, in the list of August visitors at this first ever retreat of the 36 governors of the Federation, were the former Head of State, Gen. Abdul-salam Abubakar and the 3rd Executive President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Alh. Umar Musa Yar’Adua, this indeed, signifies its importance against the other two.

 

As is always the tradition, immediately after the opening speech was delivered by the Chairman of the occasion followed by that of the convener’s, the President and C-in-C was call- upon to declare the retreat opened. However, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, delivered in my opinion what cannot be regarded as a speech, because it was not accompanied by the varying features of a usual and written speech as is/was always the practice.

 

He spoke in his characteristic manner, gently, eloquently and, in the nature of more of prophecy, advocacy, advice and more as a prayer. Deep inside his eyes, one can easily fish-out the elements of authority in a leader, head and president of a country. The paper before his face was nothing more than a jotter, serializing the pressing points that have become a cankerworm to rescuing this country from the vagaries of underdevelopment and growth since the attainment of our Nationhood.

 

In fact, what was contained in the paper at the centre of his two hands as to be the subject of discourse or deliberation, were no other than, rule of law, opposition politics, electoral process, corruption, budgetary application, FSS 2020 and the national development master plan, which in all honesty, are the country’s most contending and debilitating nightmares. They remain the albatross to our growth and development as a people and a nation.

 

He anal-sized  these problems profusely, pathetically, passionately and remorsefully, deep inside his heart, it bled, exhibiting and expressing a congenial sympathy and compassion for this 47 years old sorry sovereign state that is abundantly blessed with human, natural and mineral resources.

 

He hammered so heavily on the rule of law and natural justice, that no matter how highly place or position you occupied, you must subject your acts and conduct in accordance with the rules and regulations of whichever Institution or Establishment either in the public or private sector you found yourself, that, it is no civilization and unethical for any society to conduct its affairs even if it is personal in the mannerism of animals, that, we have to move away from the ages of barbarism, if we are to conform to the modern day state and civilization.

 

His make case against the opposition politics, in his believe, date back to the colonial era; he said our political evolution from time immemorial, if I understood him well, was cultured heavily on the opposition against the colonial set-up. This had done so much damage to our political consciousness and education as a people and key players, our political parties and actors, find it difficult to restrict their attacks of the party in government on policies and principles, rather, even including issues that are of national significance.

 

He sighted an example of the Niger Delta militancy, which of course is a national calamity, while the party in government is working tirelessly to arrest the sordid situation, some of the opposition parties, instead of closing ranks, resolve to insinuation, instigation and encouraging the fallacy. This he said would not augur well for a developing nation like Nigeria.

 

He said he is quite aware that, his call for national unity as a collective challenge to address the myriads of Nigerian sickness was wrongly interpreted by the opposition group to mean a tactical approach of vying for legitimacy to stabilize his government. He reiterated that, his intentions were for all of us to think positively and inwardly in collaborated efforts, not minding party differences to forge a common cause to rescue this nation from any problem of national importance.

 

To add value and meaning to the words of the Chairman of the occasion and that of the governors forum on corruption, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua said, thank God that corruption and zero tolerance is one among his seven point agenda. He further said, most of our people do not trust their leaders, as well, he is now seeing how some of his governors colleagues are being haunted, investigated, tried and some prosecuted on corruption charges and related offences.

 

This in all honesty, has given them bad names, that the present set of governors ought to remember, this is an opportunity we got and a trust repose in us, we have our names and that of our families to protect, that four or eight years from now is not too long a time, one day, we shall no longer be there. Therefore, we should work assiduously to protect and live a legacy that even after our back, our names and that of our families will be safeguarded.

 

On the electoral process and election in Nigeria, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, have this to say, that you all know how we came here, henceforth, this should be the starting point. As the heads of government and leaders of your political parties in your various states, there are elections and local government elections which the constitution has empowered the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct, therefore, you should try as much as can to be fair and just to each and every existing political party in your states.

 

President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, also harp on the economy, budgetary and due process, six geopolitical development plans to be incorporated into the national development master plan.

 

Well, be that as it may and whatever remains the contending and pending crises that characterize the Yar’Adua presidency, and for those who had cared to have sat, watched and listened to his thirty or thereafter minutes not lengthy and written speech in all ramification as is the tradition, sentiment and political undertone apart, would be able to sincerely and candidly appreciate the leadership qualities and good intention of this servant leader for this sordid country.

 

His belief, conviction and in more like manner covenant for the Nigerian State and its people, if these itemized and anal-zed points could be strictly followed in accordance with the guiding principles, nothing stops Nigeria assuming the position of a developed nation among the comity of eminent nations in the world.

 

But, are the states governors, ready to respond and act in accordance with these principles? Not too long ago, there was local government election in Ebonyi State, PDP being the party in power in the state, swipes all the local council seats, how justifiable can this be? Again, this is a governor and a government that has a pending case at the Election Tribunal, but not being patient enough to wait for the out-come of the case. Are we sincerely not taking ourselves back to the dark days of Obasanjo Presidency?

 

And for the political class and opposition parties, how prepared, willing, and ready are they to respond and act in an equal positive manner? Let not this be misunderstood to mean a concerted call for the opposition to withdraw their cases from the Election Tribunals, No! That is as equal as part of the reform process, I as well believed, if the tribunals can discharge these cases justly and fairly, the services of the Electoral reform committee, set off by the Federal government, would no longer be required.

 

More so, if we are to look at the just recent political impasse in one arm of the National Assembly, of course, the Ettehgate scam in the lower chamber, with all the glaring and accompanying facts, the call for her impeachment or resignation by the Nigerian people, the ten points indictment report by the Idoko ad-hoc committee and the death of an honourable member, all on these imbroglio.

 

Yet, the Speaker was unperturbed, remorseless and wanting to remain seat-tight not until when she was coerced to resigned, all with the support of some of the political class in and outside the lower house. Under this kind of ungodly scenario, how responsive and ready are the political class to react positively on this clarion call?

 

In the context of the Nigerian populace which constitutes the larger segment of the beneficiaries of these popular reforms, taking into cognizance of their mindset, how ready and responsive are we going to be to ensure the workability of these principles? In many instances, we are the stumbling blocks to this checks and balances, because we aid and abate these unwholesome acts and conduct of our political elites.

 

When it comes to election rigging, political brigand, thuggery and assassination, it is always our services that are being utilized. And in almost all the time, our loyalty to our political mentors, is blindfolded, we see nothing wrong and they do nothing wrong in their acts and conduct, we condemn those who deserved to be honoured, see nothing good and they do nothing good, so long, they are not our political mentors. Therefore, there is the need for us to hastily change our attitudinal thinking on issues, policies, programs and people.

 

However, on the part of government, it has to appear resolute in breaking the communication gap between the leadership and the led; it has to be justly and fairly to all not minding class, distinction, place and position. It has to speedily facilitate an enabling environment for all to be on board to contribute he/her quota in order to move this country forward. It has to hastily work towards poverty reduction, hunger and starvation, unemployment and underemployment.

 

To restore more confidence in the system and rekindle more hopes on the citizenry, it has to allow the tribunals and the court of competent jurisdiction to honestly and honourably decide on these election petitions and corruption matters not minding whose ox is gore. The National Judicial Council, should be aware that all eyes and hopes is heavily on them, they should equal to the task of penalizing any of their erring member found wanting in the discharge of this onerous assignment.

 

That is the only way the system can systematically buy the confidence of its people in return for maximum cooperation to shaping this Nigerian nation towards a better environment.

 

Indeed, the recent happening in the judiciary, is a welcome development, but, we are yet to see enough of their goodies, therefore, they should improve from their recent performance rating. Equally, our Nigerian lawyers, standing for and against all parties to the cases, should judiciously and honourably applied the necessary legal terms so that, this country can be a better place to live for all of us and the yet generation to come. God bless

Nigeria.