Nemesis looms in Kebbi politics
The undisputed fact is that the Dakingari show has burnt itself out. The context of Governor Dakingari’s frosty relationship with Senator Aliero is too well-known to bear repeating here. Although it was predicted that we shall come to this pass, because of the divine policy of upholding only righteousness and thereby protecting humanity from adopting […]
The undisputed fact is that the Dakingari show has burnt itself out. The context of Governor Dakingari’s frosty relationship with Senator Aliero is too well-known to bear repeating here. Although it was predicted that we shall come to this pass, because of the divine policy of upholding only righteousness and thereby protecting humanity from adopting wrong-doing as exemplary conduct, it is worth recalling a few episodes as part of the process of understanding the nemesis that is now catching up with those in this misadventures in leadership sooner or later. Even without going into details, the mere fact that the governor’s abiding resolve after taking over from Aliero was to tarnish his image and legacy, can only qualify as enemy action from unexpected quarters.
We therefore recall how the Aliero cabinet which Dakingari initially retained was soon to be systematically disbanded, getting rid of only those known to be close to Aliero before the victimization was spread to numerous contractors and businessmen who had been patronized by the Aliero administration and had on-going contracts. They were blacklisted and their outstanding payments withheld deliberately- even the legal team assembled by Aliero to defend Dakingari’s election and other pending cases among others remain unpaid till date! Then the focus moved to civil servants at all levels in the state who had close association with Aliero; they too suffered withheld salaries and later summary sacking. Of course all these victims of Dakingari’s persecution were promptly replaced with old Aliero detractors and new sycophants. It is revealing that even those Aliero handed to EFCC and indicted are today in Dakingari’s entourage.
The worst was however reserved for Dakingari’s “benefactor”. It started with the fabricated story of billion naira debt incurred by Aliero which was released awkwardly during Argungu Festival for maximum embarrassment which was to be taken up by the compromised state legislators in a futile bid to summon him for more disgrace. This was followed by a spate of sponsored anti-Aliero petitions containing spurious allegations sent to EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau. One sent to the Presidency by Dakingari was politely returned with an assurance that the presidency does not witch-hunt! Even Aliero’s private farm was targeted for confiscation at one point. What did not fail is the deliberate withholding of all of Aliero’s legislated approved entitlements till date, while Dakingari presides over state and local government funds with financial imperialism.
Governor Dakingari did not even spare the party that brought him to power. All manner of intrigues including pulling marital strings in the then Presidency were deployed to counter Aliero’s well established leadership stature in the state and national PDP by a desperate Dakingari who lacked political consequence even as governor. It was Aliero’s more courageous decision to quit the maddening crowd around Dakingari’s PDP and join CPC that saved the situation both for the survival of PDP and the peace and stability of Kebbi State as election approached.
With such a history of hostile actions against a ‘benefactor’, Governor Dakingari’s current political predicament qualifies wonderfully for a nemesis nomenclature. The annulment of his election despite all his schemes against his ‘oga’ is the omen of a more rattling encounter with his “powerless” benefactor, which the fresh election will definitely unmask. Future beneficiaries of political favours should take note.
Kabiru Giant wrote from Birnin Kebbi