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In Defence Of Rimi By Abdu Isa Kofarmata
The return of Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has generated a lot of political discussion expressed in form of criticisms, mischief’s and mostly expression of anger by those who consider the action of Rimi as a betrayal to their political hero.
The frustration and discontentment generated by the Rimi’s action led to the expression of frustrations by that category of writers and politicians alike, the frustration can be vividly seen in their write ups which contain bashing and mischievous statements. Right from the on set, I deliberately refuse to bare my mind on the issue hoping that objective and logical argument could advanced so that one can obtain information as to judge Rimi even if it means crucifying him.
However, the list of those writing and mischievously bashing Rimi on his decision to return to PDP is somehow one sided. This invariably explains in clear term the kind of people and their location in Nigeria and whom they are out to defend or promote. Consider these names, Abdulrazaq Barkindo, Hafsat Zanna. Usman Santuraki, from the names one needs no further explanation as for their geo-political location and the reason for their actions.
It therefore pertinent at this point to let these people and any other person with similar grudge know that Rimi is not a political orphan and at least deserve some respect and has the right to make his own political decision since he is not and will never a political stooge or boy to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. If experience in politics is anything to go by, the intimidating political credential of Rimi is not comparable to that of the Turakin Adamawa. Rimi began his politics in 1963 while Atiku stated in 1978.
In fact, it was the activities of some section of corrupt military politician who were desperately looking for someone with less experience and lack the necessary political courage and will to prove their past that made Atiku Vice President in 1999.
Similarly, if really we intend to be fair to Rimi, his contribution in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy and the formation of PDP cannot be compared to that of Turakin Adamawa. At the time Rimi and his colleagues in G18 and 34 were cooling themselves in various prisons across the country, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was busy shuttling between Yola and Abuja begging Abacha to make him governor in Adamawa under the defunct UNCP.
Furthermore, Rimi suppose to be the first PDP member in Nigeria, it was at his residence at Abakwa Kaduna that the first G18 meeting was organized. It was this meeting that led to the formation of the G34 and subsequently gave birth to what is called PDP now. In fact I took my time to go through the newspaper achieves and searches over and over both in G18 and 34 lists but could not found Atiku’s name therein.
One funny argument put forward by Barkindo which attracted by attention and deserve response is that Rimi has never win an election for himself or for someone. This might be true as per as Barkindo and co are concern, because all of them are quiet ignorant about Kano politics and therefore can say whatever they think is suitable to achieve what they wanted to achieve. However, I suggest to Barkindo to revisit what had happened in Kano during the Babangida’s failed third republic on SDP/NRC struggle in Kano.
Nevertheless, it is not how many times you rig yourself into political office that matter most in politics, but what you are able to do with the mandate given to you even if it is once. It is a gain saying the fact that what Rimi has achieved with the single mandate given to him by Kano people far beat what Atiku contributed to the entire North-east or Adamawa in Eight years of his Vice Presidency.
The issue of principle in politics is not a sound argument as put forward by Hafsat Zanna and Barkindo, It is clear to all and sundry that Atiku opted out from PDP and set up AC for reasons, one is to stop Obasanjo’s third term ambition and the second is to realize his presidential ambition. The first reason was shared with Rimi who as well wanted to stop Obasanjo from continuing in office. But the second may not be Rimi’s headache as he himself nurtured similar ambition and in fairness to Atiku he is not rather qualified than Rimi.
Rimi as earlier stated is not a political orphan in Kano and Nigeria in general; therefore he reserves all the rights to make decisions in order to salvage his political structures. It is pertinent to state here that the return of Rimi to PDP should not be used as a basis for expression of political disappointment of a particular state or region, you had your opportunity in the last eight years and have wasted it with no tangible achievement, you better look somewhere else to transfer your anger and express your disappointment not on innocent Rimi.
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