|
Borno: It Is All Over, Or Is It Yet Not? [I]
By Abdulhamid Ibrahim Gazali
Newsdiaryonline Wed Nov 23,2011
Gov Kashim Shettima
I have come across alot of nauseating political events, mostly
brought about by one of the two renowned causes, victory and its
very opposite, defeat. I have always resisted the urges tickling
me to commit my pen on papers or to ease my mouth in any public
address
systems, to add my comments in backing or jolting against such
moves until this very recent one spearheaded by His Excellency
Kashim Shettima, executive Governor of Borno state and his party
members to jubilate their victory at the election petition
tribunal over the suit filed against them by PDP challenging the
legitimacy of their victory at the Jega-umpired 2011 general
elections. I opted not to keep my pen down for obvious reasons
which I will advance.
The Borno state Electoral Tribunal on Saturday 12 November 2011,
upheld Kashim Shettima's much touted victory on the April 26
gubernotorial election, as did the INEC and Kashim came rallying
the state capital, from the Maiduguri International airport to
the Government House with motorcade of stakeholders,
commissioners, politicians, well wishers and et al, of
unnecessary numbers, which he should not have even for the hazy
state of security in the state capital if not for his
self-evident ill-gotten victory.
Earlier, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, acting president of the Court of
Appeal, dissolved the panel of the electoral tribunal which is
in an unquestionable verity a 'judicial trick'. Justice Dalhatu
however reversed self on Friday and unbanned them a day before
the sitting, to pass the verdict, which is all but part of the
'judicial trick'. Many people smelt a
rat the moment but it
did not bother me personally because I long have lost confidence
and trust with the generality of Nigerian Judiciary. Also, this
is why this piece is not concentrated on arguing the court case
saga.
Many people will see this piece like a belly-ache because I am
not happy PDP did not win in the tribunal but which is not, and
I'm neither siding with ANPP to dance together in their victory
song because their election is now reaffirmed. The worst thing
to be done to me is to consider it one of these. To the last
height of my sincerity, this package is a seal of suggestions
and counsellings even if I am not the right one in position to
advice this
administration, but which I must, for Borno being my state.
To begin with, initially I was skeptical if at all Kashim will
make any progress in the developmental drive of Borno because of
his linkage with the previous administration. And to
everyones utter astonishment, Kashim proved to be far from the
inklings most of us from Borno are holding of him. So far, I
have, if not 'we' have, few inches away from tagging him the man
of his words. Because by keeping tabs on his going since
inception, I come to the knowledge that 80% of the projects he
promised to deliver in his campaign days and particularly in his
inauguration day, within the 100days of his office were achieved
with practical and redoubtable evidences but the oppositionist
could not appreciate or even see that. And also, his efforts in
mitigating the security challenges in
the
state is also understandable but however it is no-brainer to
know how the federal government is bastardizing his efforts. The
great esteem with which he holds the elders in the state which
his predecessor and Boss never minded, is also unquestionable.
His ear pair is no-closed
for their advice and suggestions which further dons him into the
right track. His public speeches, actions and inactions have
spoken volumes of his willingness to lead the state with all his
efforts to the greater heights and above all, the good thing is
that he is not unaware
of the atmosphere of the hopes and expectations of the populace
in the state vested on him which only from there, the baseline
for living up to such expectations and the government for the
people will be drawn. And his intellectual approach to issues is
a pointer that he is
credible enough to carry along all the good work without much
flaws, as recorded in the previous administration.
However, I will not be put into believing that this
administration did come about through peoples vote. And though
the election tribunal reaffirms the election I will not be made
to believe in what is a mere terminological inexactitude and one
of those …judicial-fabrications'. Be that it may, I caution,
since the ANPP leader, more than anyone knew that he is an
'unelected-made-leader' he should first start, like a guilty man
proving not, by turning the undisputable dislike and hatred
people are holding him with into general endearment through
heart warming projects from which all citizens, particularly the
opposition will benefit equally.
To attain and maintain this objective which is paramount to his
success in future, he must distance himself away from his boss
and other mischievous members of his party, likewise, political
party 'converts' such as Matawali Kashim and Muhammed Ishaku
Ganu among others, who only seem bent on self-serving and not
nation-building (Excuse my French). And also, Kashim Shettima if
really wants us, particularly his oppositions to back him and
wish him well and surrender the battle of opposition, he should
not be dancing to victory songs before the opposition, for the
sake of example such as the call he made to be welcomed on his
arrival to Maiduguri from Abuja, to jubilate in the Airport with
regards to his victory in the electoral petition tribunal which
is unnecessary and meaningless and will only generate more
hatred to heat up the polity. His administration's willingness
to come together with the opposition into a single unit and to
common terms to saddle the affairs of the state and the calls he
personally made toward that is nothing but a good start that the
oppositions, if really Borno is at their heart, will not
decline.
On security matters, the
only cheap target for which abuses over him were made possible,
His Excellency Kashim should know that unless security of
people's lives and
properties is fully ensured, and indeed, unless atmosphere of
peace is maintained for the citizens to move around freely and
fearlessly, people like me and history will not be mean at him
even if his efforts is understandable.
The fact that the federal government is rendering his actions
seem effortless is clear, but unless Kashim adopts radical
approach against matters like this, the Federal government will
continue to sink his efforts and we will not fold our hands and
keep quiet.
Is it not yet over?
The PDP elite have every
right to be opposition in the enabling democratic environment
that we today have. And because the election was rigged in
favour of ANPP against theirs, they have every right to fight to
reclaim their mandate. But when the fight seems deciding who is
superior at some stage, is it not sensible to give up even if
you know you have got what it takes to fight more before it will
apparently decide who wins? Giving up will well be face-saving
when you realise that the fight is going to be repute-destroying
at last and it is not like admitting defeat so early when the
battle whistle is yet be blown off. Pursuing what you assume
belongs to you is not any wrong, but for PDP, wouldn't it have
been sensible and elderly if they had accepted it as a Will of
God from the very beginning when it was reported that Kashim has
personally visited Alh Mohammed Goni, CON, in his residence to
call him to come to common terms and save Borno from what is
currently facing? Through out history, out of all the Governors
who had led this state, only Mohammed Goni is known to be who
has Borno at heart and he has proven that beyond any doubt when
he was capped the first civilian Governor. Everyone knew him for
his elder statesmanship, I believe he personally has already
lost interest in the governorship but the party will not take it
his on way. I implore this people of his party, with due
respect, to allow Baba to rest. The record he left already which
remains fresh in our memories and that will remain ad infinitum,
is enough for him to face his God. The record is still what to
beat in the state and in fact there will be no history of this
state that will be written in a millenium without mentioning Alh
Mohamned Goni for his good, I with all due respect beseech you,
do not lately bring to this a kill joy, dear PDP members.
(This piece was to have been published earlier, but for
technical glitch)
Abdulhamid Ibrahim Gazali, from University of Maid., History
Dept., could be reached
here, 08030887678.
algazali04@yahoo.com.
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
|
