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Leadership and the Question of Higher Education By Abbas A. Dikko
This piece is written in response to Ibrahim Adeleke’s article “Musings on Bafarawa’s return to school” Published in the Daily Trust newspaper of Feb. 8, 2008
Interesting as the article was and of course, musing as the subject matter and presentation of the writer’s perceived facts and figure, I respect Mr. Adeleke’s artistry and linguistic connotations. But, the questions are: Is he speaking as an insider or having undertaken an in-depth research on the subject matter or a contributor to the rift between two close political associates for seven or more years, Bafarawa and Magatakarda?
If for the latter, his artistic work, stand the test of time, but, where the former, he needs to fall back to the archives for clarity, update of his knowledge, memory, argument and submissions therein. Ignore publication, an article is only rich and worth one base on the substance of the context and contents of the issue(s) analyzed. Further more, writers are people known to write with substantiated facts and figure on the subject of discourse, either to shape the system, society or correct certain unwholesomeness. They are not known for promoting acrimony, prejudice, rancour rift and other similar related matters.
The essence of governance is growth and development and, that can only be achieved through the fulcrum of unity, understanding, positive contributions and peaceful co-existence. Obasanjo wasted his first four years chasing and witch hunting the family of late Sani Abacha without recording any meaningful development close to that of Abacha and, last four years fighting his No.2 who stood afoot in the 2003 PDP convention to returned him as the party’s Presidential flag bearer and President of the country for the 2nd term in that year’s general election. The end result was the disaster and maladministration you did described in paragraph fives of your article, and never imagined the level of Obasanjo’s enlightenment?
However, what informed my piece was to draw observations and corrections on most of your misrepresentations, I would want to agree, we are partners in progress, where we differ is our approach to issues. You toe the line of condemnation, promotion of disquiet, discontent, discord and mischief, while, I am more to sensitization, enlightenment, promotion of harmony, mutual understanding, brotherhoodness, peaceful and amicable resolutions on issues of significance importance for even development.
Observations: Paragraphs two and three of your article, you gladly appreciate the position of Bafarawa in the Nation’s polity and the need for him to acquire more knowledge in order to face the daunting task of the challenges of tomorrow. That no doubt, is a good omen and, I believe, it’s no harm for a graduate assistant to acquire more knowledge in order to equip himself against the challenges of Academic hierarchy, these are wholesome affairs, cutting across all segment of human endeavours, age, experience or otherwise apart. Obasanjo, a three times Head of government and a medal general in the Nigerian army, now a student for whatever challenges of tomorrow, only God knows, can you believe this?
Paragraph four; you spoke of Bafarawa’s educational qualification and, the startling revelations therein, what is so startling about it? May be you are the one hearing it for the first time. Bafarawa and Sen. Mantu, were the only two politician holding sensitive position in this country in the immediate last dispensation, that came on the air to tell the World their educational qualifications. You may wish to go further and confirm that from the documents they filed with INEC against the elections of 1999, 2003 and 2007. The prefix ‘Dr’ you talk about, it’s surprising that you are not abreast with the happenings in your environment, many political and ruling elites, former and servicing before and now, acquired it. Some paid for it, some honourably, sincerely and deservingly conferred on them for their immense contribution to humanity and excellent performance in their field of endeavours.
The professor of political science you claimed, severally and widely reported that Bafarawa called himself, well, I don’t know and, even if it were so, it amount to nothing more than mere political praise singing, gimmicks and rhetoric found with any politician. Any one of them can come forward and claim artistry, mastery and wizardry of anything possible or not. Not long ago, Adedibu called himself the father of Nigerian politics, Amadu Ali was everywhere calling Obasanjo the father of modern Nigeria and the best that ever happened to this country, and recently, Obasanjo called himself Adedibu’s disciple, these are nothing, but mere political connotations.
Paragraph five of your article, you mentioned enlightened political elite reluctance to venture into partisan politics in 1998/99, for fear of another military incursion, which simply and easily pave way for neophytes and least equipped, Mr. Adeleke, it seems you are not in tune with events, let me help to draw a list of names, that may make us appreciate this better. Elder Sunday Awoniyi, Chief Sunday Afolabi, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Olu Falea, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Branabas Gemade, Dr. Alex Ekweme, Chief Audu Ogbe, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, Alh. Lawal Kaita, Alh. Isyaku Ibrahim, Alh. Abubakar Rimi, Alh. Yahya Kwande, Dr, Paul Onongo, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Sen. Mahmud Waziri, Chief Emmanuel Nwanyawu, Alh. Adamu Ciroma, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Aliyu Muhammad Gusau and host of them, were fully part of the political permutations of 1998/99.
In Sokoto State we have Sen. Ila Garba Gada, Alh. Aminu Wali, Alh. Muhammad Gusau, a serving minister now, known to be the movers and shakers of Sokoto State politics on one hand against Bafarawa on the other, yet, the camel of the desert as many described him cross the rubicon and single handedly beat them to the governorship of the Seat of Caliphate. Further went ahead to re-assert his political dominance over these same configuration forces in 2003 after chest beating that, even if he is out of the State landscape, nothing stops him from win his election. Therefore, Mr. Adeleke, who were the neophytes and least equipped in the 1998/99 political permutation, or, are you referring to these prominent Nigerians and political elite?
Let me at this juncture correct one wrong perception that became a phenomenon with the least informed minds in our society, which I think, Adeleke is not one among. Many thought, the yardstick for achieving greatness and performance can better determined by the level of ones educational background (Higher), that, is absolutely far from reality. Greatness, qualitative leadership and good governance, are guided by ones personal wisdom, political will, passion, generousness, humbleness, commitment, determination, fearlessness, honesty and sincerity of objectives, which are natural inbuilt and endowment from God Almighty not acquired from the class room.
In the defunct government of Obasanjo, we had an Economic Team whose membership were men and women with 2nd degrees, professionals and above; yet, our economy was put to jeopardy, today, what remains the position of our power and energy sectors, Ajaokuta, Itakpe and Delta Steel companies and NITEL? In spite of Obasanjo’s enlightened political think tank, our polity was put to shamble, today, if not aberrations, electoral frauds, brigands, abuse of the rule of law, in short, Instability nothing can be told of our nascent democracy.
And, did Mr. Adeleke, ever imagine, a Professor by every academic standard chaired, organized and conduct elections judged to be the worst in the history of our nationhood?
This had been confirmed by in fact, the President himself and, what the current happenings are in the system today, litigations, nullifications, uncertainties and by-elections here and there. In equal development, Mr. Adeleke, should sojourn into the history of Great, Successful and World class leaders of the past including Sir. Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of blessed memory and elder statesman Alh. Aliyu Shehu Shagari, the magic behind their success.
And, how many bother to find out the reason(s) why biggest and civilized democracies of the World, like India and American Constitutions and of course, Nigerian Constitution that was almost fashioned in line with the American model provides only School Certificate as minimum qualification to contest for any political office, what a common sense!
Coterie of kleptomaniac, indeed, exist in large scale in the immediate past government of Obasanjo from the center down the components units. Before EFCC doctored list pre-designed to stop some segment of people from contesting 2007 general election, Ribadu, had been going round acquainting us with names of alleged corrupt governors, but, on no time, Bafarawa’s name was mentioned. Secondly, the unveiling scenarios in the country, where some immediate past governors are standing trials in courts for corruption and other related matters, some facing judicial panel of inquiry in their States, some got away with plea for bargain, yet Bafarawa is walking shoulder high, criss-crossing the four corners of the World, is quite wonderful.
Yet, Mr. Adeleke, conjoined him as part of the kleptos, however, it may be of interest for you to know that Bafarawa was the first governor in the north to declared his assets in 1999 and, repeated same in 2003, as well, among the two reported richest among the former 19 northern states executives. Of course, eight years of Obasanjo’s democratic rule (1999-2007) in Nigeria was disastrous, but where was Mr. Adeleke, when our Media, leaders of thought, public commentators and court of public opinion scores Bafarawa and Adamu Mu’azu the best performing governors in the north? And had he known Sokoto State before 1999? Or with whose authority or records does he stand on?
Your paragraph six presentation makes one believe, you are not in touch with realities. Do any one imagined an uncertified Grade 11 teacher and failure, cleared by INEC, contested elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007, sat as governor for eight good years in an enlightened society without any court action even if, it were for window dressing? Bafarawa, must then be powerful.
And, how can an enlightened person like Adeleke, accused a licensed Independent Marketer who had been for several years conducting his legitimate oil business without being found wanting or prosecuted by any court of law, an economic saboteur, not even minding the legal implication of libel. Where was it reported that, it’s a crime for a citizenry to undertake a trade in sundry goods between two borders of countries? Does Adeleke have first class information about the gendarmeries and their commitment to duty and law of their country? These are things, he should journey to find out, and at least it would improve his knowledge on various World issues.
Paragraph seven; you spoke of the 2007 general election as tact to eased Bafarawa out of the system. Let me ask you two questions: 1. what was the combined field assessment report on the 2007 general elections by National and International observers? 2. Have you read the final submissions of ANPP and AC presidential candidates at the Election Petition Tribunal, that elections did not hold in about 29 States and, Sokoto State is one? What happened in Aril 14 was what was repeated in April 21. If Bafarawa had wanted to be undemocratic like PDP, his party would have swipes all the seats in his State.
However, your presentation in paragraph eight convinced one that you are not in tune with politics and political history. Fall-out between political associates in politics is normal, reason why, there are no permanent enemies or friends, but, interest, and, like any other game, no matter ones doggedness, shrewdness, one cannot continue to win and, in the event one lose, that does not make one an orphan. Jesters and hangers-on are part of any administration or system, military or civilian and, can be found around any leader in power or out of it. You equally faulted Bafarawa’s political calculations for not clinging on some political heavyweights to continue to enjoy their goodwill, popularity and, even platform, this speaks volume of your ignorance about him and his political clout.
Bafarawa, is not a political nonentity, however, let me ferry you into the political history of the man, ‘Bafarawa’ a one man squad and gallant political warrior. Way back 2nd republic, he was a key player in GNPP, the strongest opposition that gave NPN sleepless night, 3rd and aborted Republic, he was a kingmaker in NRC (Alh. Yahya Abdulkarim Gusau is much alive to acknowledge this), late Gen. Abacha’s terminated political transition, Bafarawa, had already metamorphosed into a political gladiator, among those calling the shots in UNCP, one of the leading political party of that time (Former UNCP National Chairman, Alh. Isah Muhammad is very much alive to confirm that).
Preparatory to the returned of democratic rule in 1999, Bafarawa, was among the founding members of APP, as well, the party’s godfather in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi respectively (Sen. Mahmud Waziri 1st Chaiman and Alh. Yusuf Ali 2nd Chairman of the party, still alive to testify this).
Soon after changing its name to ANPP and, in 2003, Bafarawa assumes the Interim Chairman of the party and was instrumental to bringing Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on board as the party’s Presidential flag bearer and Don Etiebet as its Substantive National Chairman (Chief Don Etiebet is much alive to attest to this). In fact, let me authoritatively tell Mr. Adeleke something you never or may never know, if not for this unfolding event, describing Bafarawa a gadfly is not enough, he is a political metaphor and epitome of change.
Prior to the 2007 general election, he was handsomely offered Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States respectively, if only, he would decamped to ruling PDP, but, being a democrat and politician of repute, conscience and integrity, he out rightly rejected (Dr. Haliru Mohammad, Amadu Ali, Olusegun Obasanjo and Attahiru Bafarawa himself are all alive to buttress this point).
Defecting or decamping from ruling or strong opposition parties, Mr. Adeleke, only a democrat can do that, again, we need to avail ourselves that, not all politicians are democrats as all democrats are politicians. Therefore, there is the need to salute the acumen, dexterity and courage of Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Turaki Atiku Abubakar, Orji Uzo Kalu for decamping from strongest opposition and ruling parties to form DPP, AC, PPA respectively.
We need to as well, recognized the doggedness and sagaciousness of Tinubu of Lagos State, Mimiko of Ondo State, Yuguda of Bauchi State, Ewuga of Nassarawa State and Bappetal of Adamawa State, they are truly democrats, winning or not, any election. If this country would have much in numbers of their likes, the polity would have advanced two or more steps further and, the consciousness and awareness of the citizenry on the polity and its development would have been far beyond where we are today.
Other peripheral issue raised by Adeleke, associate or full pledge degrees are things of personal choice, the only wonderful thing is, how a Grade 11 failure gain admission in one of the universities in US. And, how many of our politicians can nurture the courage, sincerity and honesty to come on the air to tell the World their intended educational pursuit or certificates acquired. By every passing day, we records certificates racketeering in the body polity, which no doubt polluted the system.
Finally, I wish I could advice Mr. Adeleke to always strive hard to get first hand and factual information before putting pen on paper, vocabularies are not the only ingredients that make an article or else, he would continue to baloney.
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