First of all, the question now is; can this
distorted version of our democracy really survive from now until 2007? The
question came to my mind because democracy has failed in 1996 and it has
equally failed in 1983. Can any professor or political magician assure me
that, our type of democracy will perpetuate? Just before he handed to
President Obasanjo in 1999, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the former head of
state confidentially expressed his belief that; the nation might not yet
witness any more military intervention. I pray that may God accept
Abdulsalam's prayer so that democracy will successfully perpetuate. The year
2003 was very crucial to the survival of democracy in this country. In 2002,
President Obasanjo has launched his campaign and in that year too he finally
decided to declare intention to recontest; saying he was imagining what
would be the fate of this nation in the year 2003.
However, 2007 will produce more threats to the
survival of democracy and the threats I guess, will originate from North!
Readers would definitely wish to know how will the threats originate from
North? This is simple, the northerners for example, believe it is their turn
to recapture power in 2007. What will happen if they are so sure of being
deprived of this chance? Or shall we conclude that, it is a legal right? I
doubt if this is a legal right. This must be a moral issue which must be
handled with care by all the kingmakers nationwide. I may ask; who are the
kingmakers? This is variable and it depends on one Nigerian region to the
other. Generally, kingmakers include; tycoons, royal fathers, politicians
etc. Especially in the North, religious leaders are equally members of the
peripheral kingmakers.
South-South are determined to captured power in
2007. South-East too are well determined. Is the North ready to recapture
power in 2007? What proof do I have? Currently, it is only the individuals
who are determined to win the power in the North. These are two different
things (1) power in the name of our region (2) power in the name of
individuals. One can be supported by his own region in order to win. The
other is sponsored by himself and friends including well-wishers. At the
moment, IBB, Atiku and Marwa are being sponsored by themselves and friends
including well-wishers. In 1999 and 2003 presidential elections, Igbo or
Eastern candidates contested in their own individual capacities. They all
had failed. Now, they have realized this discrepancy and it is time to
organize themselves in order to sponsor a single candidate in the name of
their own region come the year 2007.
Can the North do the same? This is possible but
extremely difficult. Greedy politicians will not make it possible. I insist
it is possible if they will co-operate. I still can't understand why the
North is the home of Nigeria's most greedy politicians. For instance, my
uncle was a state governor. He was also a one-time minister etc. To him,
that alone qualifies him to become the next president of the country.
Transparency and patriotism are not the issue. The important thing to him is
that, he was a minister and later a state governor. Next, he should become
the president of this nation. They are many in the North and they will
certainly constitute a tenacious road block to our search for a credible,
transparent and very patriotic candidate, the only one who can contest for
the presidency in the name of our Northern region come the election 2007. I
have already posed the question above; why has the North become the home of
too many greedy but most greedy presidential hopefuls? I will be grateful as
an ordinary student of politics if any politician can enlighten me on this
wonderful, most amazing phenomena!
Historians too can enlighten me on one more
question which answer will certainly be of much benefit to other readers. Is
there a record in history when the northerners had ever produced a single
candidate for an election in the name of our region?
Nigerian intellectuals may come across this and
they may ask; Gabari, what do you really mean? What are you trying to say?
Answer to their question is quite simple. Take example of the incoming
presidential election in the year 2007. The North claims that, it is their
chance and it seems that, the nation as a whole, recognizes this fact. No
ambiguity yet. Now, can the political leaders, royal fathers, elders,
religious leaders, labour unions come together to amicably produce a single
candidate in the name of our region? This again will be incomplete if the
middle-Belt does not co-operate. Despite this, however the decision of
majority has to prevail! That unanimous candidate must be someone who does
not even currently think of contesting the 2007 presidential election. He
must be someone who will be suddenly invited as a result of an intelligence
information which the elders obtained regarding his patriotism, transparency
and of course, a better previous record! He must be someone who will not
disappoint our region. If he performs well, the credit will be ours and, if
he fails we will all share the responsibility. Such candidate exist but will
the kingmakers give them chance? If the kingmakers of the North are serious
patriots this is the time to look for nominations. In the world of writing,
many of us will be ready to respond to their call. I have several names in
mind and my list will be sent to the kingmakers on request. In Zamfara for
instance, we have a potential candidate who will be a good material, even
though he is elderly. But in the developed world, most of their leaders are
elderly!
At that age, a greed for money is minimal. Most
elders are pious. They are conscious of their death any moment. They respect
their age and so the society respect them too. These are the types who
should be given chance by the northern kingmakers in 2007 presidential
election. The unnamed elderly father in Zamfara state as explained above is
a good example. I know one here in Kano and I know one too in Bauchi.
Examples are many. Men of God are still very much with us, but can they be
given chance in 2007 by the northern kingmakers? Until the very day he
passed away Late Aminu Kano too was not given chance by these kingmakers who
believe in power-sweet and fast money. Many of them are mere power-brokers
who sell their talent, their potentials for money. The year 2007 will be so
special to all of us and let the kingmakers understand the need for changes.
Remember the lesson I have mentioned above which I said we should learn from
the South-Easterners? I am especially referring to the folk who have seen
the need to unite in order to come together to produce a single candidate
for 2007 but, in the name of their region. This was discussed recently in
the U.S. during congress that was also attended by some northern politicians
as observers including former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari. I ask again;
can the North learn from the South-Eastherners in preparation to 2007?
In addition to the issue of presidency the
North must also pay attention but adequate attention to the National
Assembly politics. In the National Assembly at the moment, the North sadly
represented by a bunch of interlopers who dream of becoming tycoons only.
Imagine the South as a whole is represented by very eminent personalities
some of whom were in fact governors and ministers previously. In the
National Assembly of this Republic, we could find from the South eminent
ones like Udoh Udoma, Jims Nwobodo, Melford Okilo etc. Unknown to my uncles
in the North, the legislative house remains the true symbol of democracy.
Both presidency and judiciary exist even in the military regime. National
Assembly does not however, exist in military regime. Thanks we have Jibril
Aminu, a strong man in the National Assembly. Can the North be represented
by strongmen like Jibril Aminu from each state at 2007 National Assembly
elections? People like Adamu Chiroma, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, Abubakar Rimi,
Balarabe Musa, Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, Umaru Shinkafi, Suleiman Kumo, Barnabas
Gamade etc, must be forced to go to the Senate come the year 2007. Insha
Allah we will remain healthy and alive. The year 2007 is fast approaching,
northerners must either prepare for it seriously or expect regrets and God
must not be blame for it.
Buhari A. Gabari is a freelance journalist and
can be reached at [email protected]
