Jonathan should run transitional govt – Hamma

Weekly Trust: What is your view on the dramatic conferment of the status of Acting-President on Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan? Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma: First and foremost, I must congratulate everybody that stood and fought for constitutional government in Nigeria.We acknowledege such organisation as the National Democratic Movement,G-53,the Save Nigeria Group led by Professor Wole Soyinka, […]

Weekly Trust: What is your view on the dramatic conferment of the status of Acting-President on Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan?

Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma: First and foremost, I must congratulate everybody that stood and fought for constitutional government in Nigeria.We acknowledege such organisation as the National Democratic Movement,G-53,the Save Nigeria Group led by Professor Wole Soyinka, the labour movement and members of the National Assembly that finally responded to the call of patriotic Nigerians that want to save the country from unprecedented constitutional and political crisis capable of threatening the existence of the country.In my view, the situation we are in today has brought into being a government headed by Goodluck Jonathan that I see as a transitional administration.I do not see this government as a continuation of Yar’adua’s adminstration. I see this clearly as an adminstration born out of a genuine desire by Nigerians to have a government that is responsive to them and address the issues of maladminstration,  irresponsible management of public resources, inability to conduct free and fair election and reconstruction of public infrastructure.It will be in the interest of Jonathan and those around him to understand that this struggle is not about taking over power and continue with business as usual.

WT: How hopeful are you that the Acting President will tread a new path considering the fact that he is just holding forth for President Umaru Musa Yar’adua?

Hamma: It is true that they were elected together. I mean election in inverted commas.Though they were on the same ticket but he is not expected to continue with Yar’adua’s lethargic, irresponsive and corrupt management of resouces.We definitely expect him to respond to the wishes of Nigerians as expressed in the course of the struggle to ensure a constitutional succession of government. So, I think he will be well counselled to consider this as a historic oppotunity for him and I dare say his political party to recreate conditions for transparency,accountability and to reconnect the government with the masses of Nigeria and the Nigerian elites in a process that can re-establish confidence in the state and the in the political process . And in doing this, there is no escape from not only reshuffling the cabinet but re-organising the government by instituting a national government that is willing to address these issues rather than a partisan government of the PDP.

WT: In essence, are you saying that Yar’adua’s kitchen cabinet should be removed?

Hamma: I think it is not just Yar’adua’s  ministers as such.It is clearly an issue of timeliness.It is the time we are living in that has created issues of historic importance for Jonathan to sieze the initiative and respond to the call of history by instituting a national government whose responsiblity will be to pursue reform programme and reconnect government with the people of Nigeria as well as restore confidence in government.I think there is no escape from this if  he really want to carve a niche for himself in history. If he see the adminstration as transitional government, he should look for people that are willing to be non partisan,that have capacity for mangement, that have demonstrated their capacity for transparent management of human resources and consientous politicians that will help deliver the good.

WT: Are you not concerned that the North has been shortchanged in this arrangement inview of the fact that going by PDP’s arrangement this is the turn of the North?

Hamma: I think this is a view that is held by decadent and self serving elites from Northern Nigeria. Clearly, what people from the Northern part of Nigeria and indeed in all parts of Nigeria need is an administration that will be responsive to thier need, an adminstration that is able to develop the economy and create opportunities for them and thier children,an adminstration that is capable of recreating the educational system for their children. That is what people are looking for. Whoever is in a position to provide these amenities will be most welcome by all parts of the country. After all, Yar’adua has been in power for over two years, what has anybody got to show for it including Katsina State, his home state. We Nigerians cannot be enslaved by the political arrangement of the PDP over and above the constitutional provision.

WT: As things are now, what role do you think Yar’adua’s men will play in the unfolding post-Yar’adua drama?

Hamma: Well, I don’t think Yar’adua has men but I know there is cabal no doubt that is very closely associated with Yar’adua that has been carrying out some heinous activities in the name of managing Yar’adua and his health problems.These are people I dare say  that are self-serving.I dont believe that they can be rightly described as Yar’Adua’s people because if you say so,it will give some impression as if there is some ideological position held by Yar’adua which these people are commited to and are promoting.I dont think there is any such thing.

 WT: You have talked about forming a national government. Do you think that the PDP will agree to this?

Hamma: I think it will be self deceit to say that Jonathan was put in power by the PDP.We have long pass that stage.PDP could have used the opportunity to put him in power if they as a party got thier act together and decided that Umaru Yar’adua is incapacitated and as a party provide leadership both in the executive and within the legislature where they have the majority to produce the necesary processes for jonathan to take over.But they failed to do so.This position was forced on them by Nigerians. So, they are in no position to now say they put him in power.No they did not. It is Nigerians that have put him in power and he will do well to understand that.

WT: Clearly the Acting-President has less than a year to the 2001 general elections and the vex issue of electoral reform is still hanging in the corner.What is your advice for the Acting-President on this issue?

 Hamma: This executive council is neither capable nor willing to pursue such an agenda.He need an executive council that is on the same page with him if he is to pursue this reform so that they can be parners.He need to go quickly into the National Assembly and rally round the good and patrotic Nigerians there that need leadership, motivation and assurance to go all the way to help him do the job.