The shortfall of our democracy (I)
Consequently, he took a fast dash to the ANPP camp where a gubernatorial flag was given him with solemn kindness and sympathy. He emerged victorious. In line with the new craze sweeping through the camps of a few governors and legislators, where decampment is now the vogue, he found it thoughtful, socially reasonable, and politically […]
Consequently, he took a fast dash to the ANPP camp where a gubernatorial flag was given him with solemn kindness and sympathy. He emerged victorious.
In line with the new craze sweeping through the camps of a few governors and legislators, where decampment is now the vogue, he found it thoughtful, socially reasonable, and politically expedient, to join the rank of the hordes of ‘decampees’. By the way, have you noticed that most of them and their side kicks are northerners? At least, so far. There are six non-PDP governors in the South and up to the time of this piece none has seen it right to join the fray although the air is thick that the man in Imo is on his way to the PDP dinning table. Still, it is largely a northern treat, something to think about but this is for another day.
With the personalization of our democratic terrain, where, once a governor moves, every one else, especially elected members, follow suit like a flock of sheep, the top man had expected his deputy, Garba Mohammed Gadi, to play likewise.
Somehow, the deputy felt that he was not of this orientation and so refused to move. This must have infuriated some elements, possibly including many.
Consequently, a legislative machinery was set in motion, well greased with, allegedly, N10million to each lawmaker in the state legislature to see to the removal of the deputy governor. According to the Daily Trust of June 25, 2009, “the members were reportedly offered N10million each if they sign” to do so.
With dispatch, 25 legislators were said to have kept their own side of the bargain. But there was a problem. They had no impeachable material to splash on the deputy governor. What to do therefore was to dedicate themselves to fishing out one at all cost. After all, might have spoken. In several ways, it controls the political thought, the moral direction of political action and indeed, the core and basic philosophy of the greater number of politicians, and for the avoidance of doubt, including majority of us. Where it speaks, our ears are all there, especially with its sweet melody. It can make and unmake the inner self.
So, well oiled therefore, with so many materials kept at the backstage in some liquid detention camp, the Honourable Members went into their fishing boat to paddle for catches to justify the bargain. And what did they catch?
According to the Peoples Daily of June 29-July 5, 2009 the Deputy Governor was accused of collecting N2.4million and 33,600 USD when he travelled out of the country on Hajj, something which he said was approved for him by his boss. He was accused of making an approval for himself of the sum of N2.2 million last December, approving contract beyond his limits to the tune of N8million for the construction of an Accounts Office for the Ministry of Health and for making an approval of N112million to the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, also beyond his limit.
The Sunday Vanguard of June 28, 2009, has an addition: “sponsoring a football tournament in his name estimated to be about N500, 000.”
He has since denied all.
But even then how does this tally with alleged bribery of N10 million to each of the state legislators? If as the Daily Trust’s report under reference says that 25 of the 30 members have already collected the impeachment package the question then is, what is the level of their angelhood in this matter? This is particularly the case with the 17 ANPP members who flocked to the PDP camp in solidarity with the package.
The truth is, Deputy Governor Gadi’s refusal to play the political immoral card, now in vogue among northern political officers, largely speaking, is at the root of this pathetic demonstration of democratic misconduct and unrighteousness.
But no one should be surprised. In Nigeria, but especially among some gurus, wrong doing is sometimes rated as a super political faith and so the honest is the chief criminal when and if he refuses to play the ball of un-conscience. This, basically, is Gadi’s offence.
To be continued