Tsokwa: Exit of the rule of law advocate

I have never met the late legislator but I will never forget the role he played to defend the rule of law and the constitution of Nigeria in the chaos that followed Governor Danbaba Suntai’s return from foreign medical trip.His maturity in handling the issue in accordance with the law, which was well documented in […]

I have never met the late legislator but I will never forget the role he played to defend the rule of law and the constitution of Nigeria in the chaos that followed Governor Danbaba Suntai’s return from foreign medical trip.
His maturity in handling the issue in accordance with the law, which was well documented in the papers and other mediums of communication, will be remembered for a very long time. The late speaker, no doubt, has written his name in gold.
I remember the interview he granted Weekly Trust which was published in the Saturday August 10, 2013 edition of the newspaper. In the interview titled “God will determine Taraba’s fate – Speaker,” Tsokwa, who represented Takum 1 constituency in the Taraba State Assembly and emerged as Speaker following the impeachment of the previous leadership last April, spoke as if he saw his death coming.
Asked whether his position, which many said was pro-acting governor (Garba Umar), was influenced by a desire to become the deputy, he said “Those who are saying so are making a mistake. It is God that gave me this current position and I am not thinking of vying for any position because the God that brought me as Speaker knows where next He is taking me to.”
I am not a politician and wouldn’t want to speculate any political cause over his death. In any case, no one is going to remain in this world beyond his apportioned time. But there is a lesson for all of us. Many would have expected the speaker to outlive Suntai, but that is not how fate works. Let us all resolve to change our evil ways because we really do not know when the end will come for us.
My condolences to his widow and five children as well as friends, colleagues and the entire people of Taraba State. May the Almighty strengthen them all. I commend the acting governor for offering to sponsor the education of Tsokwa’s children up to university level. I urge him to also work towards immortalizing the speaker by naming a major street, building or any other prominent structure in the state after him.
Fateema wrote in from Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.