Uncertainty reigns in the state
From Isa Abdulsalami (Jos) and Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna)
THREE days to the end of emergency rule in Plateau State, and the speculated return of the suspended Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye, the mood in the state is that of indifference. Dariye has been abroad since September.
The air of uncertainty that hangs over the state draws from the huge question of the fate of the Dariye and speculations of the imposition of a unity government in the state.
Although President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the suspended democratic structures in the state would be restored, the issue of whether Dariye would return to his seat as governor of the state has become a thorny issue.
The state lawmakers according to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon. Simeon Lalong had been under pressure to impeach Dariye and for the deputy governor to take over. But Lalong said that the state lawmakers after meeting with the President said that due process must be followed in the matter of the return of Dariye. On the allegations of corruption being raised against Dariye, the lawmakers have insisted that it is only when the democratic structures are restored and the governor in his seat that the state House of Assembly can investigate.
It would seem however, that in the face of the lack of co-operation from the state lawmakers, the government has decided to impose the unity government in the state to be headed by the deputy governor.
One of Dariye's aides on the basis of anonymity said that: "This would amount to another illegality in the state. The unity government would be another contraption to further the emergency rule in another guise. The constitution has no place for whatever the Federal Government is planning beyond the restoration of the democratic structures and the return of Dariye."
The feeling is uncertainty was palpable at the residence of those who want Dariye to return as governor.
For example, the first civilian governor of the state, and pioneer chairman of the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Solomon Daushep Lar has refused to join his wife in Holland, where she serves as an ambassador.
Lar, who has been canvassing for the unconditional return of Dariye and the restoration of democratic structures in the state, said that he would like to see the end of his struggle before going overseas.
Besides Lar, Dariye has found strong support from former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and former Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Y. Danjuma and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Gowon specifically asked the president to restore democratic structures and the return of Dariye as his 70th birthday present to him. Shortly after the birthday celebration, the president called for a meeting of the state elders and stakeholders to discuss the emergency rule. The meeting had been seen as a way of seeking a response to Gowon's request. At the end of the meeting in Aso Rock, a six-man committee headed by Ogbeh was set up by the President to work out modalities for ending the emergency rule and restoring the democratic structures in the state. The committee was also mandated to look into the allegations against Dariye.
In its report, the committee recommended the unconditional return of Dariye and that the state House of Assembly should investigate the allegations. The committee insisted that all decisions must be based on the constitution.
After the meeting with the elders, the president has also met with the suspended members of the state House of Assembly, chairmen of local councils and first class traditional rulers. The feature of the meetings was the viewing of a video "detailing Dariye's corrupt acts."
Despite the air of uncertainty, Dariye's aides and commissioners like Mr. Yakubu Datti (Sports and Youth development), Dr. Patrick Dakum (Health) and Mr. Alexander Molwus (Chief of Staff) are hopeful that their boss would return before Thursday, the last day of the emergency rule.
Meanwhile, Muslim youths in Kaduna State have faulted the probe of Dariye by the Justice Bashir Sambo's led Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and urged the Federal Government to reinstate the embattled governor at the expiration of the emergency period on Thursday.
The youths under the banner of Kaduna Alsunnah Muslim Youths Association, at the weekend pointed out that the CCT might not give fair hearing to the suspended governor. This they stated is because Justice Sambo is a staunch member of the Jama'atu Nasir Islam (JNI), one of the aggrieved parties in the Plateau crisis.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Muhammed Garba Dan-Gari, in a statement said that a situation where Sambo who is a prominent member of the JNI is being used in the prosecution of Dariye before the Code of Conduct Bureau "is not healthy for due process to triumph."
"Several checks, and direct reports recorded by this association indicates that by virtue of Justice Sambo's position in the Islamic community his neutrality cannot be guaranteed in the case before him against Governor Dariye of Plateau State. And as Moslems, we owe a duty to our conscience, to our abiding faith in Islamic tenants of fairness and above all our creator the most merciful," he said.
Specifically, the group argued that the Federal Government was wrong in directing Justice Sambo to handle the case against Dariye, immediately after the Plateau crisis began to settle down.
"We see this as unethical and against the principles of natural justice even as enshrined in the Holy Quaran and the Constitution of Nigeria," he said.
Having reportedly said that Dariye was not the only elected person in this country that may have case to answer before the tribunal, Dan-Gari stressed that there was no way Justice Sambo could justify his handling the case against the governor.
"Why can't the judge put on trial other Moslem offenders first to give semblance of due process to the Code of Conduct setting in Nigeria. Is it now that they suddenly realised that Dariye has a case to answer before them?" he queried.
"Islamic code of conduct dictates that all Moslems should be honest in their day to day dealings including transaction with non-Moslems in particular," the group stated. They also noted that "Moslems should say the truth at any point in time, even if the truth is against oneself or brother."
Dan-Gari recognised that, "from the look of things certain individuals are trying to use the CCT to settle scores against Dariye.
"The same forces used their international connection to rope Dariye into a case of money laundering in order to hang him, when they are also guilty of the same offence worst than the governor.
"It is now left for Justice Sambo as a Moslem cleric to refuse being used against any individual, including the suspended governor on the account of sentiment but camouflage as code of conduct at work."
The group urged the Federal Government to reinstate Dariye as governor of Plateau when the emergency period is over. They stressed that, "it is necessary for people irrespective of their ethnic background or religious divide to stand for the truth, which is the pillar for peace, unity and reconciliation."
Meanwhile, another group, the "Movement for the Sustenance of Democracy (PPMSD) in Plateau State in an address by Solomon Selcap Danlung, titled The emergency rule in Plateau State the way forward stated that in his speech on May 18,
to impose the emergency rule, President Olusegun Obasanjo noted that the main reason is that Dariye "was not only part of the problem but an instigator to national peace and security. His utterances and seeming lackadaisical attitude actually contributed in heightening the situation. This absence of Peace and Security also make the state ungovernable. This is true, because the suspended Governor was always away when most of the crisis erupted."
The group noted that the action of the President, which was approved by the National Assembly was welcomed by the majority of Plateau people who viewed it as the best alternative that time considering the rate of destruction of lives and properties.
It stated: "Gen. Chris Ali (rtd) who was appointed as the Administrator of the state for a period of six months went straight into action to ensure that peace returns as soon as possible. He planned and executed his programmes of action which included consultation with different groups, setting up of a study group that developed a framework upon which the Plateau Peace Summit operated. He has also set up an implementation Committee for the Peace Conference resolutions. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has also been appointed to consolidates the peace process among the different groups in the state..."
They stated that the Administrator's peace process greatly improved the security position in the state as relative peace was restored. The morale of civil servants and students was boosted as their salaries/allowances are being paid regularly.
The group however observed that "as the November 18, terminal date for the state of emergency approaches, anxieties are growing up as it is not easy to predict what may happen that day.
"We have been observing keenly the unfolding events as the day approaches. Some of these observations include:
- Plateau people are yearning for the return of participatory democracy in the state as early as possible if this will improve the peace situation in the state positively.
- The return of democracy in the state is being interpreted in different perspectives. There are those who hold the opinion that this means the return of Dariye and all the suspended structures. To some, Dariye should not return and to others, it means conducting fresh elections. The limit of reasoning seems to be the base for the divergent views held by elders and other stakeholders on this matter. The inability of all stakeholders to agree on a common line of action may be a potential source of disaffection among the people, if not carefully handled.
- The failure of the suspended Plateau State House of Assembly to discharge their oversight functions of checking the excesses of the Executive
The group blamed the ruling PDP as part of the problems in the state as it has failed to put its house in order. It asks, "how could there be smooth democracy in the state at this time when some groups in the party are reluctant to acknowledge the return of reputable politicians into the party."
It also blamed the elders, stakeholder in the state who the group said have not displayed the political maturity expected of them.
The state lawmakers were also accused of not demonstrating sufficient remorse for plunging the state into this present quagmire.
For the solution out of the quagmire, the group said: "What we consider to be the solution to this problem is a position that is in the general interest of Plateau people because popular democracy always supersedes constitutional democracy whenever the two conflicts."`
The return of democracy in the state is being interpreted in different perspectives. There are those who hold the opinion that this means the return of Dariye and all the suspended structures. To some, Dariye should not return and to others, it means conducting fresh elections. The limit of reasoning seems to be the base for the divergent views held by elders and other stakeholders on this matter. The inability of all stakeholders to agree on a common line of action may be a potential source of disaffection among the people, if not carefully handled
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