Sule Lamido must rid Jigawa of politics of godfatherism
Each legislator must look at an issue in terms of its effect on the entire state. The work of a legislator requires knowledge, political courage, and determination to fight, defend and protect the interest of the people. A distinct legislator is therefore, expected to, apart from acquiring political skills, be a grassroots political mobilizer and […]
Each legislator must look at an issue in terms of its effect on the entire state. The work of a legislator requires knowledge, political courage, and determination to fight, defend and protect the interest of the people. A distinct legislator is therefore, expected to, apart from acquiring political skills, be a grassroots political mobilizer and posses an average oratory.
Some electorate in Ringim/Taura constituency of Jigawa State have started kicking. According to them, the legislator representing them at the National Assembly is not doing enough to guarantee his fourth return to the assembly in the coming political dispensation.
For the past 12 years, we have endured and paid the price of political loyalty. We have suffered negligence, but, still maintained the status-quo. We supported individuals, but, now we are duty bound to support interest. We made sacrifices, but, now realized that such sacrifices are not worth making. We put more trust in a man rather than in God (May God forgive us) as we’re now set to put our total trust in Him and He alone.
We are a proud people and the Almighty God has blessed us with unquestionable history of humility, wealth, valour and knowledge.
We were recently faced with a tragic natural disaster of flood, but were not accorded the presidential visit as did to the people of Zamfara and Lagos States. Considering the principles of the federal character policy, there are many vacancies meant for our people at the federal level but these spaces are filled up by people from the neighbouring states. Not because we don’t have the qualified people to fill such positions, but because we lack the force at the National Assembly to oil the wheels to make things to happen.
If by constitution, a degree or its equivalent is not a prerequisite to vie for leadership position in Nigeria, ability to read, write and speak English cannot be rule out as a mandatory requirement for one to efficiently and effectively carry out his or her duties as a member of the distinguished house saddled with the responsibility of enacting laws that will guide, protect and defend the interest of the citizenry. In issues like this, we can do without the constitution, because the constitution is not the commandments of God, and therefore, subject to human error, which necessitated its occasional amendments
To be represented by those who do not have the burning desire to work for the people at the National Assembly in the name of what we call “Politics of Godfatherism and Selfish Interest” is not only reckless and senseless but also abusive. By simple social analysis, we might conclude that Ringim\Taura constituency has the highest number of educated people in the North Western part of Nigeria today. This is so because the place produced the first female professor in that region, who at present is the Minister of Education. She is Professor Rukayya Ahmed Rufa’i.
We can also address it as the most security conscious constituency in Nigeria today because it produced the serving Inspector General of Police, Mr Hafiz Abubakar Ringim. This is apart from breading uncountable number of intellectuals in different fields. Yet, our voice, our political interest and our constitutional rights and privileges at the National Assembly are being deprived us.
In the 21st century political setting where the World’s Super Powers are producing intellectually sophisticated leaders who are below the age of 50, when African leaders are beginning to understand and appreciate the values of peaceful transition of political power to an opponent without any bloodshed, where highly placed professionals are running elections for the offices of local government chairmen and state assemblies, my own constituency must also toe this line.
Our progressive Governor, Sule Lamido, should help us fastrack this process. His Excellency may recall that so many pressure groups from Ringim\Taura constituency have come out to kick against the godfather politics. They clamour for a change with a better representative.
Some are even said to have lost their Jobs for expressing their views on the matter. However, we cannot continue to allow politics of godfatherism to mortgage our people’s future by turning political opportunities into family business.
Failure of Governor Lamido to stop the purported wrong political move will not only create diversionary thoughts within the progressive circles about his loyalty to his every day mentioned political mentors, Mallam Aminu Kano and Abubakar Rimi (all of blessed memories) but will also lead to the dusting up of the questioning of the political loyalty of Governor Lamido’s love for the common man as well as his respect for their political beliefs and well being.
Anyone who had the opportunity of interacting with the late Aminu Kano and Abubakar Rimi would agree with me that such a political move would always be their last option.
Again, if Governor Lamido insists on going ahead with this unwelcomed political step which is obviously against the wishes of the electorate, it will not only be a violation of the constitutional provision that guarantees people’s right to electing their representatives in a free and fair election, but will also become a threat to the survival democratic culture in Jigawa State. We know His Excellency has always stood for and fought for true democracy throughout his life.
As a concerned citizen of the affected constituency, a dignified respecter of human rights, an advocate of a responsible government and a firm believer in democratic tenets specifically the ones that center on Equity, Fairness and Justice, I wish to use this medium to, on behalf of my humble self and all those who share my thoughts on this matter, call on His Excellency to reconsider this grave decision and accord the people of Ringim\Taura constituency the liberty to re-present a suitable candidate in whose leadership they will feel secured and comforted, if not for the sake of democracy, then for the sake of the Almighty Allah.
Ringim writes from Lagos ([email protected])