Unjustified call to oust El-Rufai

The call for a united coalition for the removal of the Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai Administration in Kaduna state by the spokesperson of a former governor of the state, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, can best be described as nothing but losers’ tantrums exhibited by people who have lost their access to largess on public funds. It […]

The call for a united coalition for the removal of the Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai Administration in Kaduna state by the spokesperson of a former governor of the state, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, can best be described as nothing but losers’ tantrums exhibited by people who have lost their access to largess on public funds. It would have been expected that such a seasoned journalist would put together cogent and coherent reasons for the unity coalition to oust the el-Rufai led government. Instead, he chose to feign ignorance of what is abundantly clear.

Firstly, his claim of high levels of youth despondency ignores the fact that this government has given the youth more opportunities to serve in government compared to the one he served or any previous government for that matter. He also ignored the huge number of employment opportunities (both direct and indirect) that the government has enabled through KASTELEA, school teachers recruitment, sewing of school uniforms, school feeding programmes, to mention a few. It is not a bragging right, one only needs to look up the statistics!

In his statement, he revealed the state of insecurity bedevilling the state as if it was a covert phenomenon known to a select few. Admittedly, the frequency of kidnapping was indeed on the rise over a period. However, it would have been honourable to acknowledge the numerous arrests made by the police, as well as other laudable strides taken by the various security apparatus to curb the menace of insecurity.

Lastly, he lamented on what he calls the fear of sack, retirement and demolition. Lest he forgets, only the guilty are afraid. If in doubt, a state census can be conducted to determine the number of citizens living with such fears. Most importantly, he failed to provide, in very clear terms, how or what his proposed government will do better than that of the present one.

What must be said is that indeed, the Malam Nasir el-Rufai Administration is not perfect, and I believe it has never claimed to be so. Notwithstanding, it must be said that the state has witnessed an unprecedented level of investment during his tenure as well as balanced spread of physical and infrastructural development across the state. What also remains a fact is that Malam el-Rufai remains the best option come 2019. He runs a purposeful government with a clear vision: establishing policies that are pro-masses and pro-youth; and surely an administration that has truly put people first!

Abbas Muazu, Kaduna.