I join millions of Nigerians if not millions of indigenes, non-indigenes, settlers and residents of Plateau state in particular to welcome Governor Chibi Joshua Dariye back to Rayfield Government House Jos. I was one of those who thought you would not come back judging from the truckload of sins listed against you when the president declared a state of emergency in May 2004. From all indications, your camel has successfully passed through the eye of a needle. For this I say congratulations sir. But as you and your associates click glasses, I wish to quickly remind you sir the sins listed against you by the president. This reminder has become necessary because as humans, we so often forget our travails of recent past and get carried away by the present. I may be wrong, but I think this is one principal reason why we hardly or sparingly learn from our past mistakes, experiences and history. Thereafter, I intend to offer my unsolicited advice on how you could get through to 2007 successfully when your tenure at Rayfield would end. My titling this letter or piece of advice has nothing to do with the Bureau or Tribunal sitting at Abuja. If anything, it’s a mere coincidence and I hope you don’t mind.
In a synopsis, the president listed amongst others the following as the sins you committed. That you lacked the interest, desire, commitment, credibility and capacity to promote reconciliation, reconstruction, peace, harmony and stability in your state. That you were not only part of the problem but an instigator and a threat to peace. You demonstrated proven inability and incompetence to maintain security of lives and properties. That there was failure of governance and gross inefficiency in managing the rich robust diversity of the state and as a result visitors and investors fled your state. That the people lost confidence in the political leadership provided by your good self. That there was near collapse of state authority as at early May 2004. Other words like lackadaisical, uncaring etc were also used to describe you sir.
Then the mother of all: that you were always on the move anytime there was crisis in your state. That on return from one of your numerous trips, you shoved aside urgent state matters and headed for the Abuja National Stadium to watch Nigerian athletes in tracksuits and bikinis. That you became a cheerleader at the COJA games while your state was on fire. On this allegation, Nigerians were dumbfounded. This one generated so much anger in Nigerians and this writer that no one had any sympathy for you. Infact, everyone forgave you all other sins but held tightly to this last one.
Sir, no one could say if the president sugared his speech or called eleven inches a foot when he listed all of the above against you. Not to worry. That is past now!
It was on the strength of the above that a state of emergency was imposed on your state May 18, 2004 and you were suspended. But thank God that against all odds, you are back to the beat. Now that you are back, how do you carry everyone along in the state without another emergency rule or threat of it before 2007? This is the kernel of this letter. This writer is well aware that very often, unsolicited advice is rejected. The ones offered here should be part of your code of conduct for your remaining tenure.
Reports had it that you have asked for forgiveness from God and from the people. That is very good. But beyond that, you have to demonstrate that you are a repented man. Since your religion preaches forgiveness you need to forgive those who have trespassed against you. Infact, all other actions of yours start from this point. Remember that your return is ‘divine’. This writer was one of those who objected to your refusal to challenge your unconstitutional suspension at the law courts. This was demonstrated in more than one write up anchored by this writer while you were away. You were reported to have said that you left everything in God’s hands. Now that God has done his own bit, the greater chunk of what remains is now in your hands. My advice is that henceforth, as you hold your holy book and instrument of governance on one hand, substitute the sword hitherto on the other hand with an olive branch. In this wise, remember that you are the father of all in plateau state. You are not the governor of your Church, Christians, Moslems, settlers, indigenes or non-indigenes but the governor of all. Henceforth you need to prove that you are the father of all in your state without any bias. Many of your subjects think you are back to Rayfield wearing the same old ethnic and religious blinkers. Prove them wrong even as they adopt the let’s-wait-and-see method.
Related to the above, beware of chronic solidarity visitors. They may come from your village, tribe, old boys association, and professional groups or may be your political associates. Knowing Nigerians, some would go sycophantic and bring a list of those to be punished. Sir, ignore such list. Going on the offensive against anyone now would amount to treading the old path. Give no listening ear to anyone who comes to tell you stories of the part played by Mr. this or Mr. that.
Since troubles would not end so long as we all are alive, be prepared to go to trouble-shooting places anytime the need arises. On no account should you hear of skirmishes in any part of your state and you board the next plane to London or elsewhere for that matter. You must be the first to land at such spot to douse the fire and emotions before they stoke. Never should you behave as though you stoke up such fire and emotions again. Remember that one of your colleagues who share geographic and political affinity with your state has used this strategy of immediate (if you like mysterious) appearance at trouble spot to curtail crisis that would have engulfed his state many times. You must adopt this strategy. If you go to such trouble spots and the warring factions refuse to listen to you, it will be on record that you have done your best.
Sir, you must have been aware that salaries have been regular since you were away. This is going to be your first test. If you pass it, you will most likely pass others. Reports had it that you once said (that) payment of salaries was not your priority. I do not believe you said that. If you did, that was then, not now. Sir, if you want this your comeback to be peaceful and (want) all to join you in prayers to succeed pay salaries and pensions when they are due. I doubt if anyone is going to take excuses again for backlog of salaries. As for gratuity, the instalmental payment started while you were away must continue. Reports have it that already you have promised to make payment of salaries and pension a priority. Very good my governor, but remember what the workers and pensioners want “na-talk-na-do” not empty promises.
On foreign travels, go only when it is absolutely necessary. By the way, which part of the globe have you not seen or been to sir? Let it not be said again that the chief executive of plateau state is out of the country without justification. Remember too that those we readily point to as our political enemies are watching.
Sir, I am not competent to advise you on how you manage the state resources. But whatever, some roads in the state capital are in deplorable condition. For example, Termnus area around Mr. BIGGs; Terminus-Bauchi park; Bauchi road-Dogon dutse link; Zaria Road between Agadama junction and Farin Gada and some are ridden with potholes. This is unbefitting of a beautiful city like Jos, Nigeria’s most temperate city and Plateau state, Nigeria’s tourist haven. Now that you are back, do something about these roads so that as motorists ply them, the citizens will remember that their governor has come back a changed man.
Sir, you will notice that I deliberately ignored your alleged multiple arrests for money laundering, foreign accounts and Abuja video shows. I believe these are personal to you. They have no bearing with how you run the state in the next two and a half years God willing. They were not listed as part of the sins you committed before your suspension. Moreover, if you want to prove your innocence, you know what to do. The courts are there for all. Did they not say that a clear conscience fears no accusation? No more comments!
Finally Sir, remember that no one puts his hand into a hole where he was once bitten. Put differently, thunder does not strike at the same place or spot twice. Being an African, you know the implication of these assertions. So be very careful not to repeat any of the sins you were alleged to have committed before you went on suspension. You are a very lucky man. You have a historic opportunity now to redeem your (with all due respect) not too good image. To do this you have about thirty calendar months; plenty of time sort of. Remember that when history is being written, people will speak about the Dariye years as the governor of Plateau state. No one would remember those who misled you. So be your own man, do the right thing, and be fair and just to all. I wish you good luck sir.
Dr. Sunny Orumen Akhigbe, is of Specialist Hospital Bauchi, (soakhigbe @ Yahoo.com.)
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