Unfolding political developments in Nigeria has been mind puzzling. Quite disturbing because the key actors are not only beneficiaries of democratic gestures but also supposed to be custodians of political values as leaders.
Even though Nigerians have been tolerating electoral delinquency with great hope that it may attain near perfection in the future, however, hope keeps drifting gradually as unfolding events all way betrays this trust.
Sometimes in June 2013, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) conducted election for re-validate of leadership mandate. Thirty-five out of the thirty-six members of the Organisation participated in an election. Two people contested for the position of the Chairmanship, they are Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria and incumbent Chairman, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State in the South-south of Nigeria.
At the end of the polls, Governor Rotimi Ameachi got 19 votes while Governor Jang has 16 votes. Governor Rotimi Ameachi was declared winner in the presence of all by the Returning officer. This was the last straw that breaks the Carmel's back of the rumoured sour relationship between the Presidency and some Governors who are even members of the same party with Mr President.
Shortly after the results were declared, fifteen Governors who participated in the election regrouped and declared Governor Jang as factional Chairman. While this was going on Mr President was reported to have been unable to present his speech at the August ceremony of 50th Anniversary of the African Union in Adisababa. The official explanation as to why Mr President did not surface at the event has been quite embarrassing to the nation.
Well, the evolving macabre dance that accompanied this election seriously threatens our democratic experiment. It is matter of concern because the key actors has considerable influence and control the resources of their various states. It is worrisome, taking into consideration the nature of this democracy where the Governors enjoyed immunity and impunity. They are referred to as leaders of their parties in their locations therefore the fear of the Governor is the beginning of political wisdom.
Blame trading with counter allegations have dominated the political sphere, especially from the group that lost the election. I said lost because with my knowledge of elementary arithmetic 19 is more than 16, so I should be pardoned.
Speaking at a Church Service in Jos, Governor Jang told the congregation that "if you rigged election successfully God endorses it". Meaning, he lost the election to Ameachi but he has some support from else where to impose himself as factional Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. The question here now is which god is Governor Jang referring to as endoring rigging, the god of Aso Rock and INEC or Our Father in Heaven?
In his own version explaining why he supported the chairmanship of Governor Jang, the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda stated that Governor Jang was endorsed by the Northern Governors Forum to be Chairman. He stated further that there was supposed to be no election at all after the endorsement, but that their Northern colleagues betrayed them therefore, he was withdrawing his membership of Northern Governors Forum on the strengthen of this betrayal.
May I ask, why did Governor Jang's group agreed to participate in the election since they knew that the traditions of electing the Chairmanship was by "endorsement"?
Secondly, If Governor Jang has won the election will they have still been saying the same thing?
Thirdly, when did Governor Jang become a Northern to be endorsed by Northern Governors?
Lastly, did Governor Jang wanted to deceive Northern Governors for parochial and selfish interest but God exposed him?
Why the sudden romance between Governor Jang and Some core Northern Governors, has Jang dumped his middle belt advocacy for political ambition?
The role of the Presidency and PDP in this drama of tyranny is quite unfortunate. The presidency has openly gave its backing to the group that lost the election. It has also mobilized everything against Governor Ameachi including physically using security agents against him. The war of words between the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Governor attest to how bad the situation has gone. Even recently, Governor Ameachi was blocked by over zealous security agents from exchanging pleasantly with Mr President even when he was at the Villa at the instance of presidential invitation. There are subterranean moves to have Ameachi impeached as Governor of Rivers State.
The PDP in reacting to this show of shame suspended Governor Ameachi for dissolving a democratically elected Local Government in River State. However, Governor Jang dissolved five Local Governments Councils in Plateau State namely, Langtang North, Wase, Kanam, Mikang and Langtang South mid-way into the tenures of elected Council leaders, in place appointed Management Committees, but the PDP did not see anything wrong with it, then why this selective justice? Could this be that Governor Jang is an anointed undertaker of the 2015 political agenda of Mr President while Governor Ameachi is anti the hidden agenda? From all indications the anti democratic credentials of PDP with its penchant for injustice is responsible for the challenges of our journey to viable democracy. If a party in government cannot epitomizes justice, equity and fairness then tyranny will be entrenched in place of responsible leadership. Late General Azazi once argued that lack of internal democracy, corruption, impunity and imposition of anointed candidates by PDP is the definition of security challenges. Even though, he was vilified for saying the truth, his spirit hunts us today. I agreed with the late National Security Adviser that PDP is a club of tyrants faning the embers of discord of this drama of irresponsibility accompanying the NGF election.
For those Governors alleging rigging of the election by Governor Ameachi, may I ask how did they win their own elections as Governors? He who live by the sword dies by the sword or cony man die, cony man burry him.
The political disgrace has serious implications for the future. If the Governors cannot conduct credible elections for thirty five people how can they presides over the election of 170 million fellow Nigerians?
Whatever way one looks at the entire drama, there is no doubt that the struggle to manipulate the 2015 election is in motion.
My advice to Mr President will be to distant himself from this show of shame, because it will demeans the status of his office. He should concentrate on performance instead of shadow chasing. Nothing will give him power in 2015 except good stewardship and God. Fighting Governor Ameachi is unethical of the converted status of a President. Even religious and ethnic sentiments will not save the situation but only and only performance.
Nigerians must hold the sanctity of Governor Ameachi's election as Chairman of Nigerian Governor Forum and advise Governor Jang to challenge the election in Court if he has evidence of rigging but parading himself as factional chairman is not only self mockery but elders delinquency. Ameachi's victory is a sacred mandate and like June 12, if tempered with then it will drive our democracy to Somalia.
Lets keep our fingers cross as big masquerades dance naked on the political landscape call Nigeria.
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