Sokoto Royal Rumble And The Bajaric Show Of Shame

Usama A. Dandare
osadaby@yahoo.com
@osadaby


Nobody answers a dog’s name. Against that backdrop, one man said that when he knew that his mother was going to die was when he called his dog and his mother answered. He called again to ascertain his former disappointment, yet, he was disappointed.

The APC primaries for the January 9, 2016 Local Government elections across the 23 LGAs of Sokoto State, were more or less, a stage managed show of shame and cloddishness, even worst than what we used to witnessed during the PDP era of impunity and electoral manipulations.
For the teeming supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State, the primaries were perhaps, disappointing or rather unfortunate for a party in which they placed lots of hopes and expectations of a better future. Politicians and party leaders sat back in the trenches and strategized on how to have upper hands over the electoral process against all decorum to dictate the tunes in their various local governments. And this power tussle among party leaders in the state led to prolonged crises and several electoral violations which perhaps delayed the electoral proceedings and affirmation in several LGAs.

Among the entire 23 LGAs in the state, only few were able to hold a hitch-free election without generating much tension, of interest is that of Sokoto North Local Government which clearly proved that unity, peace, respect for the rule and party loyalty are more or less that of a dead man, as the party was shamefully divided into two major camps between that of Alh. Abdullahi Hassan and Aminu Ibrahim No-Delay.

The unfortunate drama that unfolded during the exercise has not only exposed the APC in the state as a party bent on mischief, but has gone far to tell the world the level of ignominious democracy we, the people of Sokoto State, are forced to endure in the hand of the ruling APC. The whole scenario surrounding the proceedings in that local government has only succeeded in making an undeniable point that the state APC leadership is not in control of its members and the state party affairs, which in my opinions is the worst tragedy to befall a political party.

Both aspirants, Abdullahi Hassan and Aminu Ibrahim no-delay were the top contestants for the ticket to run on the APC platform in the upcoming January 9, 2016 local governments elections. The former was the immediate past Chairman of the Sokoto North local government while the latter was also the immediate past caretaker chairman of the same local government.

Abdullahi Hassan, being the most performing council chairman ever in the political history of Sokoto State was loved by all and therefore was the masses choice but opposed by the thieving elites while Aminu Ibrahim no-delay, the business as usual master, was overwhelmingly supported by the elites against the interest of the common man. In a nutshell, the primary election was between the masses and the mighty thieving elites.
The drama started in the early hours of Monday morning, shortly after the commencement of ballot counting, when Hon. Malami Bajare - a serving lawmaker in the State House of Assembly and the agent representing Hon. Aminu No-Delay - augured an imminent defeat, Hon. Bajare got furious that the delegates after being paid off as credible sources revealed were out to uphold the people's choice against the interest of his paymasters. He was furious that votes scored by Abdullahi Hassan by far outnumbered that of his candidate as counting continue, and to register his displeasure, Hon. Malami Bajare angrily moved from one end of the stand to the next, before finally displaying his animalistic instinct by grabbing all the counted ballot papers from the hands of the presiding officers and jigsawed them into pieces.

An action that led to exchange of hot words and accusations and counteraccusations, creating havoc and shattering the peace of the entire process which almost began peacefully, with supporters of both candidates taking up arms (matchets, cutlasses and sticks) against one another in a rare show of shame that ended violently in blood. The ballot tearing lawmaker was lucky to escape by the whisker after some state executives whisked him away, while many others were taken to hospitals after sustaining injuries.

To my greatest elucidation, the entirety of this 'bajaric' (new word for defeat aggression madness) show of shame transpired under the watchful eyes of the Police, army and Civil Defence personnels deployed to the venue to maintain peace and order but only watched keenly without rendering any help. The rowdy situation however forced the primaries to a stop, with APC leaders and members of the electoral committee embarking on series of meetings to douse the tensions as well as appealing to delegates, journalists and security agents at the venue to relocate to the party headquarters.

Much as that was good for Bajare and his financiers who seems to be in control of the party, it is unhealthy and disastrous for democracy and also injurious our collective values as a people. And so to say, the APC leadership pretends to be unaware of this development not to mention of taking steps to punish the culprits involved and give honour to whom honour is due. Since then, nothing has been heard from the party and as at the time of writing this piece, the state APC has not declared any winner for the Sokoto North Local Government primaries. Thus prompting suspicions that the party executives are bent on giving their unwanted candidate the victory against the people's choice.

Meanwhile, I don't blame Aminu No-Delay for the delay in announcing the winner of that so-called primary election nor did I blame Bajare for his bajaric show of irresponsibility, but rather, I blame the state APC leadership for using kids gloves while handling the matter and failing to judiciously sanction perpetrators of peace and the rule of law. Also, i blame the entire people of Sokoto North for electing a street nuisance and a mentally retarded thug to represent them at the state assembly.

The state APC leadership must as a matter of urgency and statewide interest take all necessary actions to make sure that the people's victory is given to the rightful owner, Abdullahi Hassan, having been overwhelmingly leading while counting the votes with wide margin before the bajaric barbaric obstruction cuts in. The party should also make sure that Bajare pays heavily for his immorality, and the people of Sokoto North (1) constituency should for the sake of democracy begin all the necessary preparations for the recall of the so-called dishonorable Malami Bajare back from the people's assembly as a non compos and an insane fellow cannot make laws for a morally sane society.

Failure to do the aforementioned will substantiate the palpability that the APC leadership and the state government are solely behind this stage managed exhibition of irresponsibility to rob the people of Sokoto North local government of their mandate, and will further testify that the state government is in war with its people and the change agenda of President Muhammedu Buhari which promise justice, equity and the rule of law.
We tirelessly fought for this change, so we should not allow any vagabond to take our sacrifices for granted. I rest my case! 

Dear Aisha Abubakar: Now That You Are A Minister

Greetings Madam Minister

It is with a deep sense of utmost respect that i write to congratulate you on this milestone achievement after crossing huddles of envy and vested interest to become a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the wishes of the thieving elites. I salute your doggedness, self control and your ability to remain calm even in the most challenging moments. Let me also congratulate you for breaking the jinx to become the first female minister to come from Sokoto State. You have indeed made history that will be remembered forever.

Madam, as you may pretend not to know, the statewide interest that greeted your nomination as well as the very support most of us rendered to you during your ministerial screening and confirmation was uniquely not born out of the confidence we have in you neither your track records nor your experience, but rather, against the political forces opposing your appointment.
The people's interest is far from your background, academic, competency, or professional credentials. The simple truth is that the entirety of the people of masses that massively rallied behind you have an interest wholly premised against those political forces whom were hell bent on stopping your ministerial appointment and anything short of this is hypocritical.

I and others alike heard little or no information about you but looking at your resume, you possessed nearly all the potentials, the skills, professionalism, experience and the ultimate chance to go down in the annals of history as the best performing minister in this era of change. The path to make this history requires creating an enabling environment for the progress of the people and always protect their interest irrespective of any differences.

Similarly, in order to win the trust and confidence of the masses, you must provide a favorable environment for accountability, motivation, honesty, justice, and more importantly checks and balances which perhaps formed the basics of any serious democracy. Now that you are a minister, exercise your duties from a position of wisdom and uttermost sincerity.

Madam minister, there are some few mundane challenges which a minister should tackle head-on before balancing in office, otherwise, his leadership will never find the real balance to move things in the right direction. These are serious challenges that we are all concerned about, on which we will gauge your performance at the end of the day:
The first challenge awaiting your immediate action is fighting corruption, a menace which has undoubtedly brought the entire nation to chapter 11. As you are very much aware, corruption is simultaneously holding Nigeria to ransom and fighting it has proven to be a very tough challenge. Therefore fighting it straightaway with all the tools at your disposal is of paramount importance if you are to succeed, and there should be no preferential treatment when it comes to sanctioning perpetrators.

The second task you may need to give due diligence is overcoming this vexatious attitude of 'favoritism' which has rotten the flesh and blood of several Nigerians over the years. Only second to corruption, favoritism is fast and silently killing Nigeria without attracting much attention; this was brought about by our insistence on using the wrong people for the wrong jobs because of our escalating insularity, it has almost became like a norm for government officials to view from the prism of tribes, region, religion or states when appointing subordinate staffs. Thus wrecking havoc on the Nigerian states without given due consideration.

Thirdly is workers welfare. No administration can survive longer which does not accept as fundamental the rights of its very own workers. Hence, the need to adequately motivate its staffs is of paramount value, for the success of any policy depends on the conceptual skill of those who are to impose the policy not those who made it. To achieve this, you need to create an atmosphere of approval and security in which your subordinates will feel free to express themselves without fear of censure or ridicule, by encouraging them to participate in the planning and carrying out of those things which directly affect them. You must also be sufficiently sensitive to their needs and motivations, for you to judge the possible reactions to, and outcomes of, various responsibilities they may undertake. The rights of workers to good housing, good medical facilities and basic needs of life must be protected and respected.
Finally, it is often said that experience is the best teacher and this applies to you in some fashion, because you’ve been serving the nation long before now, albeit, in a different capacity. While it is said that experience is the best teacher, it is also believed that a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Therefore you should learn from history, learn to associate yourself with dedicated and patriotic hands only, not those who will pretend to be Jesus Christ (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon Him) in looks while in the actual sense they are Satan in mind. Always learn to look back when taking any decision or formulating any policy, perhaps it is widely agreed that the failure to look back while looking forward was what rubbishes the progress of almost all the ministers in the immediate past government of President Jonathan.  

Hopefully in the next few months, Nigerians and indeed the people of Sokoto State as a whole will determine whether or not you deserved their trust and confidence.
Now that you are a minister, be God fearing, dedicative, law abiding and always exercise your duties with nothing but absolute truthfulness.
Now that you are a minister, strive hard to succeed where others failed and prove the naysayers wrong.
May He the Almighty everlasting living God sanctify you against all the evil forces, may He also give you the wisdom and the ability to do the right thing.

Usama A. Dandare, a social commentator and an advocate of peace writes from Sokoto.