Towards lasting harmony in Sokoto
It is gladdening that Bafarawa had made recourse to Allah in resolving his present indictment ordeal. Since Allah stands for justice and being righteous, we all believe he will never allow anyone who betrays the public’s trust to go unpunished. Bafarawa could as well be guided by his beliefs in Allah to accept that he […]
It is gladdening that Bafarawa had made recourse to Allah in resolving his present indictment ordeal. Since Allah stands for justice and being righteous, we all believe he will never allow anyone who betrays the public’s trust to go unpunished. Bafarawa could as well be guided by his beliefs in Allah to accept that he alone has the will to grant power to whoever he chooses to. Sokoto could have been saved from an unnecessary and long drawn out electoral litigation.
Bafarawa’s argument that somebody is out to blackmail him hardly constitutes an argument. It is only persons with dirty records that can be blackmailed. And since he claims he is innocent of the charges against him he has nothing to fear.
Why for example has the federal government not blackmailed Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Federal Military Government, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and Chairman of PTF who are Bafarawa’s political associates in the National Democratic Initiative project? This is definitely because they are men of impeccable integrity and as such cannot be blackmailed. Bafarawa owes it to himself and the National Democratic Initiative to clear all the allegations leveled against him. It is simply playing to the gallery to make the allegation that his ordeal is as a result of his involvement in the democratic movement. The committee set up by the state government to look into his administration has been set up in 2008, long before he joined the democratic movement. It is important for Bafarawa to clear the air about the widely held belief that his administration has been less than stellar. Controversial issues like the purchase of Sokoto State shares at the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) should be cleared. So also allegations that the administration awarded contract to family members. Other issues that need to be cleared are controversies surrounding the real amount left in the state coffers at the demise of the administration.
Elsewhere in Niger State and Plateau State, similar white papers had been released on past governors without too much tension but the story is embarrassing in Sokoto State. The key actors in the past administration of the state should be bold enough to state their case and provide explanations where necessary. This is the only way of winning the support of the people. There is simply no reason why Bafarawa should make a mountain out of a molehill. Probes are mere administrative functions; they should not cause unnecessary ill-feeling.
Ahmed writes from Kebbe town, Kebbe LGA, Sokoto State