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Beyond A Fragile Consensus …My Worries For Candidate Atiku
When the long awaited outcome of the search for a consensus Northern Candidate to check serving President Goodluck Jonathan’s quest to continue in office beyond 2011 was formerly unveiled, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged the chosen one, several thoughts clouded my political consciousness.
The first was the question of its workability, considering the fact that the Northern part of Nigeria is not a registered political party and so lacks the constitutional power to field a candidate. Another is the flawed meaning of the word ‘consensus’, when, there are several other presidential aspirants from the same Northern part of Nigeria that can never be bound by the decision of the Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF).
There are former Military Head of State, Gen Mohammadu Buhari who has repeatedly dismissed the zoning principle as not only retrogressive of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and of course, Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekaru who believes that he is the most stainless of the pack of Nigerians eyeing the Presidency of Nigeria.
What all these translate into is that even if Atiku Abubakar wins the PDP ticket at the expense of President Jonathan, the North will require another search for a consensus candidate to stop any other Southern candidate, from any other political platform to successfully impose an internal PDP arrangement on Nigeria and Nigerians.
Most unlikely as these appear, a greater obstacle to an Atiku emergence as flag-bearer of the PDP is, to the former Vice President’s inadvertent disregard for the warning against how not to hate an enemy; that if one must hate an enemy, it must be done in a manner that can make future reconciliation easy and potent.
It is in appreciation of this fact that George Chapman in the Alphonsus warned, “Trust not a reconciled friend, for good turns cannot blot out old grudges”. If you are tempted to dismiss this viewpoint as undue generalisation, even ungodly, you are entitled, but knowing what politics is like in Nigeria, very few can be depended upon to do any less.
Here is where my major worry over a likely Atiku success in the PDP is truly rooted.
In 2007, following countless irreconcilable differences between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and himself, Vice President Atiku abandoned the PDP that he laboured hard to build along with others, and contested that year’s presidential elections on the platform of the then Action Congress (AC).
Visibly hurt by what the vice president considered political betrayal that denied him the PDP ticket, Atiku went all out to paint his former party in countless dull colours, and fell short of calling the membership of the PDP a family of thieves that meant no good for Nigeria and her peoples.
Apart from soap box attacks on the PDP, with the promise to sweep away the rot it represented, Atiku placed newspaper advertisements that were so destructive that they depicted the mindset of a determined and principled politician that would find no reason to return to such devilish fray.
In one such paid advertisement in The Guardian Newspaper of April 9, 2007, Atiku said of the PDP:
“PDP means Poverty Development Party…
PDP would continue to deceive Nigerians and therefore voting for them would mean another round of hardship”.
But in a move that shocked many, Atiku this year, returned to the same party and resolved afterwards to seek ticket to fly the same party’s ‘useless flag’ as presidential candidate. Which political party, no matter how forgiving and benevolent would give away its pricest treasure the presidential ticket to such repentant returnee, within less than a year? Even the highly respected, principled and unrepentant apostle of fairness and equity, would not grant such request if the positions between Atiku and the PDP were reversed. I stand to be corrected, but it is undoubtedly a moral issue that would expose the party to bigger ridicule by other competing political parties.
Take for instance, Atiku emerges presidential candidate of the PDP and other political parties decide to reproduce all of Atiku’s smear attacks on his own party, what better arsenal would other parties require than those the candidate himself gave to his opponents.
Atiku strikes me as a goodman, who shares others’ problems and seems ready to render help to others when required. He strikes me as one who is fearless, bold and determined to achieve whatever he believes in. Indeed, the former vice president appears to me one of the very few respectable political leaders that is equipped and qualified to contest the presidency of Nigeria.
It is therefore, no surprise that he has endeared himself to several people who have come in contact with him and should naturally feel compelled to return his favour. Even among some serving PDP governors, there are those who would naturally like to stand by Atiku, not necessarily because of zoning or rotation as Mallam Adamu Ciroma makes Atiku appear. It is instead for the man’s lofty antecedents, his leadership qualities, his ability to stand for what is right and his drive to have power with which to serve.
All these qualities notwithstanding, Atiku’s decision to leave the PDP for the sole purpose of contesting for president and returning to the same party he variously vilified, for the sole purpose of becoming president, strike me as missteps of a desperate kind.
Even in these days, when traditional medicine dealers, those we knew years ago as Native doctors, prescribe all manner of despicable therapies like cow urine, one’s own urine and even a dog’s urine for the treatment of various ailments, none is known to have prescribed one’s own vomit as remedy for any medical condition.
If Atiku had remained in the PDP after late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s victory at the 2007 primaries; if Atiku had not embarked on such destructive smear campaign against the same political party which ticket, he today seeks; if Atiku had not returned to the PDP and instead nurtured the AC, now Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with four governors, the Turaki would have been seen as an ideologue, a man of strong character and a principled democrat, but his hasty political decision of 2007 depicts him otherwise; and questions his honour, integrity and his motive to grab power.
My Agony is that Mallam Ciroma and other wise men who screened all four presidential candidates of Northern extraction in the PDP: former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, former security adviser to the President Aliyu Gauso, Kwara State Governor Saraki and former Vice President Atiku, did not consider all these as worrisome enough for a consensus ticket.
Methinks they should because some party elements have started raising the question, “Atiku, what do you now want in the PDP?” And for the right reasons.
Nothing would have been my answer, if I were Atiku, and stay put in ANC to avoid risking, swallowing my own vomit.
For integrity sake. For Honour Sake.
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.