An open letter to Zamfara State Governor
Expectedly, the party, through its state legal adviser, Barrister Abu Muhammed Abdulkarim, rejected the verdict, describing it as lacking in all the known norms of litigation. He said his party would hold an emergency meeting with a view to appeal the judgment. However, counsel to the ANPP, Barrister Yusuf Alli (SAN) described the judgment as […]
Expectedly, the party, through its state legal adviser, Barrister Abu Muhammed Abdulkarim, rejected the verdict, describing it as lacking in all the known norms of litigation. He said his party would hold an emergency meeting with a view to appeal the judgment. However, counsel to the ANPP, Barrister Yusuf Alli (SAN) described the judgment as a triumph of democracy.
The people of the state who share ANPP’s ideals have heaved a sigh of relief, as prior to the judgment, the PDP followers were dropping the names of President Goodluck Jonathan and Arch. Namadi Sambo. The duo, they argued, had assured them of returning the PDP to power at all cost.
Another fabrication by the PDP in the state was that the ANPP leader and former governor of the state, Senator Ahmad Sani, was at the Vatican where he appealed to Pope Benedict to talk to Jonathan to temper justice with mercy as regards the governorship litigation, but that the Pope scolded him.
Following the nipping in the bud of all these political shenanegans, Governor Abdul’aziz Yari needs to hit the ground running. Let him immediately unbundle his social package to cater for the less privileged. He should establish a strong bond with the state civil servants being impelementors of his planned policies and programmes. The projects of his administration should be such that would have bearing on the common man, not white elephant projects and wild-wild dreams as embarked upon by his predecessor.
The rehabilitation of Gusau eastern by-pass conducted by the present administration is one good example of a project that would impact positively on the lives of people, as it will facilitate the movement of people and goods. I also cherish the ongoing construction of 500 housing units in the state capital, as it will ease shortage of accommodation faced by civil servants. This will help them relocate to Gusau and settle down for business.
Although five months are short to asses the life of any administration, let me at this juncture, advise Governor Yari to avoid fifth columnists who may try to plant a seed of discord between him and Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima.
As an Islamic activist, the Zamfara Deputy Governor, Malam Wakkala loves nothing, but the truth, so work with him in confidence and earnestly to avoid administrative potholes. The state is blessed with a credible Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Hassan Atto. The governor, being a commander of Zamfara State, needs to be informed no commander ever goes to war with a divided army and succeeds in crushing enemies.
The governor should remember he had crushed a hungry lion at the poll. It would one day roar in the bush and return to town to haunt its hunter. Plainly, the elite in the PDP would not rest on its oars as it would be planting moles in the administration who would be giving them feedbacks on all the government’s transactions. I hereby advice that all the actions and inactions of this administration should be based on due process and respect for the rule of law. All financial transactions should be properly documented. This will help the government in no small measure, as in future, these elites may provoke the government by inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to scrutinize the government. The game will be to rubbish your achievements, smear your image and return to power by hook or by crook.
One major crack that pulled down the previous government was its disconnect with the masses. Former Governor Shinkafi, rather than mingle with the electorate, relied heavily on two of his most trusted mercenaries to serve as link with the people. Try to be a grassroots politician by interacting freely with people. This will help you have first-hand information on how they feel strongly about your administration.
The governor shouldn’t have problems with the state House of Assembly, which has established a committee to probe the jamboree N2.3 billion solar power streetlights executed by former Governor Shinkafi’s administration. Whosoever is found guilty in the contract scam should not be spared to serve as deterrent to others.
If he does that and punish the culprits, he has reduced their burdensome in the thereafter, as they may likely be forgiven by Allah (SWT).
However, in the event he opts for Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano’s style in which he concludes to leave former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to Allah to judge him that means more wahala for them on the Day of Judgment.
It is reported in a Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once asked sahabas, ‘do you know who fallasashe is? They replied, ‘yes, it is he who has neither dinar nor dirham and has no domestic animals. The Prophet said no, it is he who, on the Day of Judgment, would be brought before Allah with established cases of cheating, abetting and all forms of betrayal of trust. Allah (SWT) would order the subtraction of his rewards and be given to all his victims, and when his reward has been exhausted, the sins of his remaining victims would be added to his sins and he remains sinful without even an iota of reward. His fate would be in hell fire.
Gusau, a former managing Director of the state-owned The Legacy newspapers, contributed this piece from Zamfara State.