Guest Column

NigerianNews

Sesan Bello
Journalist/Critical thinker
/Volunteer-Watchdog
London, GB

His educational background notwithstanding, he is a green horn in the midst of long performing political acrobats we have within his (People Deceive People) PDP party and my verdict is that, except he will disappoint me and I pray he does, he may have nothing to offer Nigerians after all, especially if he fails - and he will, I am sure - to cash in on the opportunity offered him now by the recent questionable performances of the so called FEC at a crucially testing time that Nigeria and Nigerians needed them most.

Yar’Adua’s case – lessons for the nation
by Sesan Bello

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The dust raised by the state of the nation recently is now settled. As usual, it has come and gone and no one seemed to see beyond all that happened; the political elites want to subdue our constitution for their selfish end again, let alone think about what lessons there are for us to learn.

As worrisome as it was, no one would have fantasised and thought it too disappointing, hoping an overnight miracle would have placed us side by side with the developed nations, democracy wise, and get the matter constitutionally sorted out in good time and without any trailing rancour.  But neither would anyone (except the behind-the-scene people) would have liked to fold his arms and watch his country rotten away in the heat wave created by human greed and selfishness without a little comment.

But yes, if it took America one hundred and fifty years to grow a perfectly working succession system they have today, Nigeria should not be crucified for having a row over succession to the seat of an incapacitated president just after a third the time it took America. I know; in this will the concerned political elites find solace for their act. But they should also be reminded that with today’s rate of development, it does not necessarily have to take us decades before finding our way onto the path of functional democracy as most difficulties along the path had already been cleared for us by bigger democratic nations of the world.

As a nation seriously desirous of progress, all we need do is moving towards a genuine and purposeful adaptation because; whether we like it or not, democracy has become the mainstay of our governance.

What transpired recently in the ill-health of the President and the handling of it by those constitutionally charged and those not charged with the responsibility for its solution is a bad example of our way of adapting to democracy, and in the subject case, we’ve openly illustrated how ill prepared Nigeria and its so called political leaders are in time of common emergency.

With this development, same questions that have been asked time and again were asked, perhaps for the last time now (if Jonathan Goodluck says so): when will our democracy come clean of its usual confusion and conspiracy, when will simple national crises which otherwise would have been resolved without much tension cease being made a big issue just because of personal aggrandizement or because some power brokers somewhere want it so and, why are these power brokers interested in back-pedalling Nigeria.

In flagrant mockery of our self professed leadership of Africa, different third world nations with resource input nowhere near ours have had the same problem and have successfully solved it in good time, even in their own way, but certainly guided by the rule of law, maturity and transparency. Why not Nigeria – Africa’s most populous nation?

It was obvious the EXCOF deliberately declined to act in good faith as expected of them for two possible reasons: first they wanted to be politically loyal and sympathetic to Yar’Adua presidency and secondly, they weren’t sure of what becomes of themselves in the event that the rule of law was allowed to prevail and not in their favour, all at the expense of our national development and progress.

Yet as of today, there is nothing still left in the dark to express that Nigerians have unanimously spoken that they want their country ruled based on the rule of law – Obasanjo’s unconstitutional third term bid was quelled even though evidences emerging today show that we could have been better off for it, had we had it; proven rigged elections were nullified in court and tribunal cases and mandates returned back to rightful owners based on legitimate election results and the rules of law; many high profile cases never before deemed possible have been raised and the Nigerian masses seem to be on the winning ladder, and alas, here we are again being bogged down by the very people in whose lives’ minutes and seconds Nigerian people have committed so much with a belief they must be charting a progressive course for us.

In the interest of the nation, this makes a good case for a good enquiry commissioning and the onus for that falls on Jonathan Goodluck’ shoulder. If he fails to direct his flood light in this direction, then all right thinking Nigerians would have been convinced that Nigeria is doomed and may never recover.

With the way our so called executive council had handled the matter in Nigeria recently, they are all supposed to be sacked and banned from ever holding any public office again because; they have not only exhibited incompetence to hold a public office in trust for the Nigerian public; they have exhibited insincerity and lack of regard to the state’s instrument.

Some have justly been sacked, but banning the entire culprits from holding public office in future signals our readiness for the elusive departure from our past and makes the beginning of wisdom for charting a clear-cut direction for our growing democracy. That will bring forth national awareness and deter other people who, someday, might find themselves in honourable position from playing politics that will undermine their vested function.

Executive Council of the Federation is premiumly placed as the highest decision-making body by the constitution and  its speedy decision and wise judgement in emergency situations such as Yar’Adua’s case is not only a matter-of-course, its end result also dictates what gain is eventually derived by the individuals of us – adverse or positive.

Thus the EXCOF members as constituted at that time have some explaining to do, the sacked Attorney General of the Federation has some explaining to do and same goes to the leaders of the two legislative houses that eventually saved the nation and empowered the Vice President as well as some individuals in the presidency. Nigerians deserve to learn from this - in whose interest, on whose instructions or advice these parties have acted, if only for the records.

It may seem diversionary and time-wasting but we have a great lesson to learn at the end of the day, and a useful law to legislate for the nation.

Suffice it to add that I cannot be more convinced based on available facts – that Jonathan Goodluck might end up like another lame duck adorned with the president title – let him prove me wrong or right on this within the first three months of his tenure if he dares.  

He may have succeeded in other field of endeavours but like his predecessor, he looks too credible, too innocent, too friendly and too gentle for that position and those just ticked the main check boxes for a pocketable leader like Shagari, Buhari and of course Yar’Adua whose tenure is still difficult for me to appraise, in fairness to him.

His educational background notwithstanding, he is a green horn in the midst of long performing political acrobats we have within his (People Deceive People) PDP party and my verdict is that, except he will disappoint me and I pray he does, he may have nothing to offer Nigerians after all, especially if he fails - and he will, I am sure - to cash in on the opportunity offered him now by the recent questionable performances of the so called FEC at a crucially testing time that Nigeria and Nigerians needed them most.

This will certainly go a long way in communicating JG’s mission, if he has any one at all.