Shekarau and His Post-Election Critics

By

Saka Raji Audu

sakaraj@yahoo.com

 

In whatever one does, the fact remains that there is time for it. When the time is up, we do stock taking and evaluation of what one has done. This is because the past is good for the present and the present is also good for the future development. In the words of the revolutionary legend, Chief Gani Fawehinmi in the Punch of Tuesday, February 15, 1994, "No nation can plan for the future without taking stock of the past."

 

Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau requires no introduction as a leader who has diligently and humbly served his state, Kano for an uninterrupted eight years, a feat that no one else has ever achieved in the history of Kano politics. Shekarau is the first leader that broke the continuity jinx in the state and shall remain so in the political life span of the state. This giant but spectacular stride would not have been possible if Shekarau had not impacted positively in the life ant time of the Kano populace.

 

Politics, as we know, is generally assumed to be a dirty game. Indeed, it is dirty in so many ways and senses to the extent that most politicians and their gullible followers often pretend against positive steps of distinguished achievers as a means of giving dog a bad name in order to hang it. In spite of this unfortunate political trait of the people and politics, truth is always clear, constant and unblemished.

 

The ascendance of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau from a classroom teacher to a two term governor of a politically sophisticated state as Kano in May 29, 2003 is divine and spectacular. Shekarau has now spent the maximum eight years constitutional requirement as governor of a state. This means that no matter how his people need him or his level of achievements, he cannot continue as governor, at least, for now. Shekarau's eight years of leadership in Kano has impacted tremendously on both the state and her people. Such positive impacts are in the areas of road networks, provision of enabling environment for water consumption, implementation of the Islamic code of conduct, peaceful co-existence in the state, improvement in health facilities, education, basic infrastructure improvements, societal re-orientation, improvement in commerce, human relations, rehabilitation of public utilities and many other areas of achievements will remain an indelible marks in the sand of time.

 

In view of the above, no amount of hatred, manipulations, mischief, ill-feelings, evil machinations, vendetta and gossips can easily erase these solid achievements.  Considering the kind of politics some oppositions play, one expects to read all sorts of unsubstantiated lies against the man who has done so much for his people.  A good example of this is the outrageous statement made by the spokesman of the governor elect published in the front page of the Daily Trust of May 23, 2011 in which the spokesman, one Jaafar Jaafar was quoted as saying that "Governor Ibrahim Shekarau's outgoing administration in Kano State incurred hotel bills of nearly N4 billion in the past eight years." Incidentally, the same Jaafar Jaafar had never seen any thing good about Shekarau's eight years administration, hiding under the façade of being a reporter with the Daily Trust to unleash his political vendetta against Shekarau government. It is therefore not surprising that the same Jaafar Jaafar has now achieved his vaulting ambition to display his old tricks of blackmail against the outgoing administration.

 

Naturally, as human being, Shekarau like any other politician has his own weakness because no one but God is infallible. But whatever is Shekarau's undoing, the fact still remains that he has diligently played his role since in Shakespeare's words, "life is a stage where every one plays his part." This is why critics of Shekarau could always have says while the truth will eventually have its way.

 

Consequently, one cannot talk about Shekarau and his eight years of leadership in Kano without making reference to those who supported him and later ditched or betrayed him on ground of selfishness and based avarice. To such political traitors, they might think they have achieved their crooked plan at the eleventh hour but to discerning mind, Shekarau is the winner while they are the losers because every one knows the price and consequences of betrayal, hypocrisy, malicious falsehood and deception, either in politics or otherwise before God. We know too that betrayers are never trusted by either side because they always turn to be on suspected list. Politics is not just about always dancing to the winning side. It is about conscience, truth, integrity and consistency. It is also about having faith in fate. These are what carved niche for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau as civil servant, humble and passionate politician.

 

With the result of the April 26, 2011 governorship election, Shekarau will be handing over to the very man he took over from in May 2003. Perhaps, the import of this development is that God used Shekarau to demonstrate to the people that power comes from Him and in J.J, Rousseau view, "no one is powerful enough to always be the master unless he transforms strength into royalty and obedience into duty."This was what happened in April 2003 when God supported Shekarau to unseat a powerful incumbent governor at that time, which he later consolidated in 2007. We should, however, not be surprised that in spite of the glaring progress and lots of improvements recorded by Shekarau administration in Kano in the last eight years, we still have some pockets of criticisms, most of which are based on personal aggrandizement, political differences, mischief and in most cases too, an ardent display of open jealousy, envy and hatred.

 

Consequently, it is gratifying that Shekarau broke many unprecedented political records not only in Kano but also in Nigeria. He is the first civilian governor to break the continuity jinx in Kano. He is the only Presidential candidate among the leading opposition candidates that won his primary presidential nomination through keenly contested primary with landslide victory in 2011 primaries. He is the most outspoken, composed, talented and intelligent presidential candidate as espoused in the various organized national presidential debates he participated. Though, he has not won the final presidential election, his outing is highly impressive, dignified and Nigerians are proud of him as a man to beat in future.

 

Therefore, those who are still concocting lies against Shekarau should spare themselves the agony of doing so because no amount of ill-feelings and falsehood can create dot on the pages of Shekarau's ever growing political profile. It is advisable for the incoming government to emulate the huge achievements of its predecessor. However, the government is free to resort to shadow chasing by listening to gossips and idlers for its governance. The governor-elect may be wise enough to know that the same people that heralded him out in 2003 are the same people that are singing hosanna around him today. We know that a critical examination of those who are today claiming holier than thou will certainly unravel the odd against them. It is left for the governor- elect to listen to all but chose what will make him to improve on the many achievements of his predecessor and not to give room for hypocrites to call for antagonism and vengeance. This advice is not binding on him but a mere opinion, which he can throw to the dogs, knowing full well that every thing has its good and bad side.

 

As Shekarau completes his meritorious two terms in office and hands over power to the man he collected it from in 2003, we shall continue to remember him as a trustworthy leader who does not rob Peter to pay Paul. We shall also remember him as an achiever per excellence who came, saw and conquered. Shekarau might not have won his final 2011 presidential contest; every one knows deep down his heart that he won integrity, intelligence, peace and hard work. These are what leadership is all about and Shekarau has displayed them. If God still want him to serve the human race again in whatever capacity, no amount of blackmail, evil talks, betrayal and hypocrisy can undo him. The principled ones shall continue to defend and protect the noble achievements of Shekarau's eight years in office.  Shekarau should therefore continue to leave things to God and His unfathomable river of time. After all, nothing in this world is eternal.