By Dele Momodu
“Once you start thinking about financial security, you’re beginning
to run the risk of eroding your true self… Once you start thinking about
money… I’m not sure you’re going to be able to take the risks you need
to take. You want to stay clear of that; let that part, hopefully, take
care of itself.”
– Robert Redford
– Robert Redford
Fellow Nigerians, it is important to remind ourselves that the
victory we recently recorded at the polls didn’t just happen by chance,
it occurred as a result of a combination of forces. As for me, I was
never in doubt that it was possible and achievable. I knew it was going
to be a tough battle but I knew with God on the side of Nigerians the
miracle was going to happen.
The drama of the weeks preceding the Presidential election would
remain vivid in my memory for a very long time. All manner of
permutations took place. The rumours were more petrifying. There were
prophesies of total breakdown of law and order and possibly even
apocalypse as far as Nigeria was concerned. We were told the INEC
Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega was going to be sacked and replaced by
a certain malleable Professor from Ondo State. If that did not
materialise, the second option would be to send him on compulsory leave.
If that fell through, either an Interim Government would have to be
imposed on the nation or the military would be encouraged to take over
power in a palace coup or whatever nomenclature they give their putsch.
Against all odds, the elections went reasonably well even if there
were bloody fireworks in a few places. As Professor Jega was declaring
General Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the Presidential election, our
incredible politicians started making their usual moves in the direction
of the new centre of power. Congratulatory messages flew from left,
right and centre; even those who worked fervently against Buhari joined
in the cacophony of adulation and jollification. Such is life.
I have not been anywhere near Nigeria since then. As far as I was
concerned, there was no need for anyone to hold Buhari to ransom by
playing God as no single individual or entity can lay claim to providing
the magic wand that catapulted Buhari back to power and world acclaim.
After God, the glory goes to every Nigerian who displayed and maintained
an uncommon determination to rid Nigeria of the scourge of PDP. The
mood was absolutely favourable and Buhari made the task easier through
his enviable credential as an incorruptible leader.
It is therefore disheartening that our politicians feel nothing
should change and it should be business as usual. I will plead with our
President-elect again not to succumb to the unholy pressure. It would be
a great disservice to our wonderful people who worked tirelessly to
make things happen. The expectations are very high and nothing should be
done to kill the present enthusiasm. All over the world, Nigerians are
exhibiting a positive mood I’ve never experienced. It is borne out of
the faith we have in the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket to do things
differently.
Just like I did for President Goodluck Jonathan, even if my
admonitions fell on deaf ears, I won’t get tired of advising our
in-coming government as regularly as possible. I know General Buhari may
get too busy to read newspapers as I know he does presently but I would
encourage him to browse through every now and then. He should not rely
on redacted and edited press cuttings from sycophantic press secretaries
and other media aides. Since the voice of the people is said to be the
voice of God, our President-elect and his deputy should endeavour to
listen more to them than the ubiquitous liars who often litter the
corridors of power.
The APC is blessed with fantastic leaders who are capable of leading
Nigeria to the Promised Land. I was proud to know and work with a few of
them in the course of this campaign. I wish and pray that the new
ruling party would take advantage of these world class politicians. The
party elders and juggernauts such as Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John
Oyegun, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others
should be proud of the crop of politicians the party has managed to
amalgamate.
For academic purpose, I would like to single out a few leaders that
I’ve watched keenly who should be reinvigorated to do much more than
they have done so far. I always disagree with those who sing the mantra
that there is no difference between PDP and APC for the fact that I’m
sure APC has the capacity to turn bad people into good ones while the
PDP is too set in its way. This should be obvious from the way APC has
conducted its affairs so far. Everything should be done, therefore, to
avoid bickering on account of power-sharing. Once General Buhari and
Professor Yemi Osinbajo agree on some principles that are sacrosanct,
the job should not be too tedious for them.
The basic tenets to follow are simple and straight-forward, equity
and fair-play as well as rewarding merit and excellence. While zoning
and Federal Character have their roles and effects, the best of
characters must be selected and picked from every zone. There are
leaders in our country who have broken down the barriers of ethnicity
and religion, two major weapons that many politicians have used to
divide us, and we must seek to replicate these types of leaders.
Top on my list as always is Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Picking
him as a model has never been hard for me except for those who just
detest self-assured people who know their onions. What I admire the most
in Amaechi is the way he has been able to demystify power. You can call
him what you will but he knows what it means and takes to develop
Nigeria. He has the courage of a lion and does not transfer his
responsibilities to others. He has the strength to bear his own cross. I
was amazed to see the quality of his pet projects in Rivers State and
truly wished a few Federal projects could attain similar levels of
accomplishments.
As Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, Amaechi was able to
represent the general interests of his colleagues as opposed to seeking
personal aggrandizement. This was what made it possible for him to
defeat the President’s faction of the Governors’ Forum. There are not
too many people with the confidence level of Amaechi. Once he takes up
any assignment, he attacks it with the agility of a horse and the
tenacity of a lion. It is not surprising that General Buhari chose him
as Director-General of his campaign.
I met Amaechi in Abuja one day and he was actually in a simple bus
driving to a location to personally check an office for Buhari’s
campaign organisation. I couldn’t believe the level of his commitment
and dedication. It was while on that trip that a debate ensued on
whether Buhari should drop the General from his name and Amaechi turned
to me: “Bob Dee, do you agree that General should be removed from
Buhari’s name because it connotes dictatorship?” I responded that “No
one can remove a man’s greatest achievement. What would you call Buhari
if you delete General? Chief, Mr, Alhaji or what? He is the people’s
General…” And Amaechi saw it made sense. Amaechi, contrary to
misperception, is a wonderful team player who likes to carry everyone
along but hates being bogged down by too much protocol and officialdom.
In case APC does not know how come the youths got connected to its
message of hope and change, Amaechi and his dear friend, Senator
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, made it substantially possible. Amaechi’s faith
in Red Media, an outfit owned by youth leaders made a huge difference.
Dr Saraki on his part assembled a formidable team of computer geniuses
who took over the cyberspace such that PDP with all its advertised
billions couldn’t catch up.
Just like Amaechi, Saraki is the boss of all bosses when it comes to
understanding the most powerful block outside the Presidency in Nigeria,
the Governors’ caucus. The Governors virtually control the National
Assembly and many of them would form the next Senate of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. Like his great dad who was Senate Leader in the
Second Republic, Senator Saraki has since become a powerful voice
championing people-oriented causes despite his privileged background. He
was harassed and threatened but refused to buckle or be intimidated. He
has worked very hard to become the most visible leader from the North
Central axis.
Dr Saraki has endeared himself to many admirers like me as a result
of his impeccable education at home and abroad which has offered him not
only a cosmopolitan background and exposure but also access to an
extensive international network through Old Boys’ connections. He left
King’s College, Lagos, in 1978, and headed to Cheltenham College,
Cheltenham, before attending London Hospital Medical College, University
of London where he obtained his M.B.B.S in 1987. He practiced at Rush
Green Hospital, London before returning to Nigeria to join his father in
the banking sector in 1989 where he distinguished himself.
It is noteworthy that Dr Saraki has carried on his father’s legacy of
reaching out to the poor and needy all over Nigeria while contributing
immensely to progress and development of the country in respect of which
three projects stand out; the Zimbabwean farmers project in Kwara
State, the intervention in the lead poisoning incident in Zamfara State
and championing the eradication of the corruption ridden fuel subsidy
regime. This is the reason the people of Kwara State have continued to
give him their unalloyed support.
The golden Governor of APC is Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola. As Governor
of Lagos, Fashola who took the baton of a progressive Lagos from Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has succeeded in taking the commercial nerve centre
of Nigeria to the another level entirely. Lagos may not be an Eldorado
but Fashola has laid strong foundations to make it so. Fashola’s story
is a case study in how the power of determination to succeed where
others have failed can make all the difference. The Buhari government
has a lot to gain from Governors like Fashola who have shown great
competence, financial dexterity and administrative capability. They have
roles to play still. Fashola’s good works speak volumes about his
uncommon abilities and the necessity of tapping into them by the new
Government cannot be over-emphasised.
Even the opponents of APC agree that there is a political magician in
the Kano Government House. His name is Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso. He has
transformed Kano into one of the most important destinations in Nigeria.
His success has reverberated so much that he alone was able to deliver
humongous votes to APC and General Buhari in particular.
You cannot talk about the stars of APC without mentioning Dr Kayode
Fayemi. His intellectual prowess would definitely help define the
direction of Buhari’s government. I can’t forget Professor Pat Utomi. I
listened to him on Channels TV a few days ago and couldn’t help ask why
such a man has not been allowed to make serious contributions to
governance in Nigeria. I dream of Buhari inviting one of my favourite
Nigerian politicians to join his change movement, the one and only
irrepressible Donald Duke. Nigeria would be a much better place when we
bring our stars together.
I was happy to see the camaraderie that still exists between General
Buhari and Pastor Tunde Bakare who certainly has a great role to play in
the new Nigeria. I believe that the zeal and fervour he demonstrates on
the pulpit will complement that of Prof Osinbajo and greatly enhance
the anti-corruption stance of the Government. Let those who called
Buhari an Islamic fundamentalist see how he is carrying everyone along.
Any Government, especially one that seeks to youthful but very
experienced leaders; I cannot think of anybody who can fulfil this role
but my good friend Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi. He will bring into the
government the wealth of his experience gained since he was a member of
House of Representatives in the short-lived third republic and honed as a
two term Senator and latterly, Commissioner in this dispensation. He’s
worked with the political gurus including General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua,
Baba Gana Kingibe and Chief MKO Abiola. Senator Afikuyomi is greatly
admired by friends and detractors alike for his brilliance, unwavering
loyalty and passion for a cause. His relentless monitoring of elections
and protection of results is legendary.
I long for Mrs Oby Ezekwesili’s return to government. She is just
awesome. I love the perfect gentleman, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, a most
charismatic politician, who as a Senator made Lagos State very proud. Of
course, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has worked her way to the very top with
her exceptional contributions to the well-being of Nigerians in
diaspora. One of my most respected brains is Mr Fola Adeola and he would
be a worthy addition to any progressive government.
I’m sure you are beginning to have a feel of my ideal cabinet. A few
very experienced icons can still be injected into government. I would
love to see a Professor Tam David-West. His knowledge of our petroleum
industry is unparalleled. If anybody can bring sanity into that sector
it is surely Professor David-West.
It is time to find, engage and promote our cerebral, diligent and
upright leaders and give the hardcore politicians other mundane
responsibilities.
Nigerians are waiting.
– this Best Outside Opinion was written by Dele Momodu/thisday
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