Who’s afraid of inclusive democracy in Katsina?

It is on record that the exercise was conducted peacefully with the participation of all stakeholders, witnessed by security agents and conducted by the committee sent from the national headquarters of the PDP. What is not understood, however, is why this group of politicians will cry wolf where there is none. For instance, the report, […]

It is on record that the exercise was conducted peacefully with the participation of all stakeholders, witnessed by security agents and conducted by the committee sent from the national headquarters of the PDP. What is not understood, however, is why this group of politicians will cry wolf where there is none. For instance, the report, released by the committee and affirmed by security agents, indicated that the congress was conducted in all the 361 wards of the state across the 34 local councils in atmosphere of freedom of choice and security. For any other person to cry foul says much about sincerity of purpose.
It is on record that those who participated in the congresses have cause to come out publicly to commend the way and manner the exercise was conducted across the state. There is hardly any stakeholder in the state who was not part of the exercise. So, why the belated cry by some politicians?
The report, released by the committee and chaired by His excellency, Right Honourable Celestine Omehia was emphatic in its submission, with referable evidence of participation and attached names of elected delegates, known by all and sundry as committed PDP members in all the 361 wards of the state. The denial was absurd and a negation of the principle of inclusion in democratic principles.
Rt. Hon. Omehia is a respected democrat that has worked hard in his life to strengthen this democratic dispensation. The gentleman has a name and image to protect. His report, which was submitted to the national headquarters, included signatures of all participants. To doubt its credibility, as done by this group, is to cast aspersion on a free and fair process. What these opponents of democracy should understand is that the difference between democracy and autocracy is like the difference between light and darkness.
The PDP in Katsina has always been an example of inclusiveness and its regimes that have ruled the state since the return of democracy have created a niche as participatory governments. It is therefore, curious that a group of people who call themselves PDP members, some of them with the intention of occupying the highest office in the state, will stoop so low as to create chaos in the state.
There has been concern since the start of campaigns this year, that some disgruntled elements would be used to create chaotic situations in the state, with a view of disrupting the peaceful coexistence being enjoyed since the advent of this government. Events in the last few weeks have indicated that this growing show of recklessness aimed at heating the polity is geared towards that. If there is sincerity of purpose by anybody within the party, the natural way to follow will be the legal processes set up by the party to address complaints arising from every electoral event.
Instead of raising dust and creating tension in the state, any person or group that is not satisfied with the outcome of the congress is expected to follow the legal means of writing his/her complaints to the committee set up by the national headquarters to address such grievances and not succumb to intimidation, threats of violence and lawlessness as exhibited by some politicians in the state. To those who know – and those who should – Governor Ibrahim Shema has created the antecedent of being a true democrat and when he emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in both 2007 and 2011, it was his antecedent that worked for him, not anyone’s anointment.
Nagado wrote from Unguwar Dabino, Dutsinma, Katsina State.