By BARRISTER SA'ADU GARZALI
On Consensus Northern Candidate: Some people at
this conference may romance with the idea of exploring the possibility of
the North arriving at a single candidate to support for the 2007
presidential election. Such an idea may look attractive but anybody with
real practical experience of politics should be able to see that the idea
will not work. It may even split the conference or break it asunder. Among
those planning to contest, none is ready and willing to step down for the
other. It will be a deadly contest to the finish. The way forward is to go
about this softly and let the winner emerge via contest. After victory, then
support can be lobbied. Indeed, the poor masses of the North are not even
carried along in this direction.
On which party should be regarded as Northern
Party: This too is hardly achievable. Attempt may be made to forge one but
success is very unlikely, it may even lead to sham disagreement at the
conference. AU recommends a lot of homework before any such thing can be
achieved. The result is to divide Nigeria along political party lines.?
Party for the Northerners, AD for Yorubas, APGA for Ibos then the minorities
will have to align themselves with one of the three. Whether this is good or
bad in the final political equation cannot be immediately seen. By the end
of 2005, the horizon may be clearer not before then. While the Ohaneze is
championing the cause of the lbos, Afenifere for the Yorubas, none is for
the North. Hence, the justifiable attempt by the Middle-Belt to go their
way. The AU shall encourage them to remain with the North.
On the Plateau Question: We all pray for peace,
security, and stability. There is however, a lot to be done to ensure this
in Plateau State. It must not be taken for granted that the solution in that
part of our country has been found. The way forward is for all hands to be
on deck. The motto should be no victor, no vanquished. No tribe can singly
claim ownership of Plateau state. All are comers. History is there and clear
and we all know. Let each tribe track its History and realities will dawn
upon all. Some of those who today claim to be indigenous are originally from
Borno, some from Kano, some from Sokoto, some from Cameroun and some from
even Niger. The Fulanis are among the very early comers followed by Angas
and then the Hausas, Birroms etc. The way forward to peace is to accept and
respect History and reality. Live together and survive together or fight one
another and perish together. The choice is there for all to see and make.
Those who have been deprived should be compensated. Those displaced should
be re-settled. Live and let live is the true answer make no mistake about
this.
On Security of Life and Propcrty: The most
important duty of any leader, ruler, Governor, or Government is the security
of life and property of the governed. There can be no higher responsibility
than this and there can be no question about this assertion. Once there is a
failure in security, all is not well in the society. Safety and right to
possession are supreme. In our land today despite the numerous checkpoints
on our highways, in our cities and towns we sleep in fear and travel at
great risks. Robbers armed and ruthless confront us. This is a very
dangerous state of affairs, it is terrorism pure and simple. We used to be
able to sleep in our houses soundly and to drive on our highways throughout
the length and breadth of our country with very minimum of risk day or
night. What has brought about this unwanted change? Could it have come from
the retired soldiers who have not been paid their due pensions? Could it
have come partly from our youth that are roaming the streets without means
of earning a living? Could it have come from the ostentation of the few
super wealthy amongst us that is infUriating those who are wholly deprived
and cheated? Whatever be the reasons we must find them and prescribe the
answers, or else we shall be inviting a bloody revolution in our land. The
days of sycophancy, the days of taking things for granted will soon be over.
The hypocrites and the over greedy must he exposed for what they are,
likewise the lazy and the dishonest must be shamed. Those in power must be
disciplined and called to account right here on Earth even before the final
call by the Almighty to account. The AU will fight for justice and fairness
in our society and will strive to ensure equal opportunity for all. We shall
neither cheat nor allow ourselves to be cheated. We shall proceed with
necessary vigour to eliminate indiscipline, ruthless greed, dishonesty, and
hypocrisy. We say so and we mean so, let all hear us clear. We shall strive
to ensure that those in position of power do willynilly and fully recognise
that heavy responsibility lies squarely on their shoulders. If only they can
alleviate insecurity in our society, our people through their own effort
will alleviate poverty because the correct atmosphere will be in place to
enable them apply their God-given talents to rise without fear or
hesitation. We shall then be able to preach and say to them "ask those in
wealth or in power NOT for dole but for equal opportunity so that you too
can rise to any position in the society."
Crimes and criminals are clear enemies of any
decent society. Such a society must reject and defeat them. To do so must be
a task that must be done. We cannot continue to suffer from unending fear
and insecurity for no reason other than fear to suffer for a time in the
fight against insecurity. Those who fear to suffer will suffer from fcar. AU
is clear on the way forward. We can sec it and we are saying so. We must all
unite in our resolve to face the task with adequate sincerity, courage, and
conviction. With God on our side we shall pot fail, no equivocation, no
double standard now or in the future.
Conclusion: this is a short paper, a mere
introduction or preamble to enable you know where we of the AU are heading
to, to help you make up your mind independently as to whether or not you
wish to belong.
We wish you well and remain Sincerely and truly
yours
This piece was the contribution of Arewa Union
during the just concluded Northern Unity Conference
Barrister Sa'adu Garba is with Arewa Union and
can be reached through: 080-37973284.
