Bauchi’s plentiful diversionary ploys
- Details
- Category: Comments
- Written by Abubakar Salihu Darazo
- Hits: 3186
A funny drama is unfolding in Bauchi State where Governor Isa Yuguda is doing everything possible in the dictionary of political tricks to discredit his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. In a white paper released by the Yuguda administration, former Governor Muazu has been ordered to refund over one billion naira allegedly stolen by him. If there is any surprise about the white paper it is not about its content but the time it took to make it public. The political motives are obvious to all keen observers in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
From the day he was sworn into office under the ANPP ticket, Governor Isa Yuguda didn’t disguise his malicious intention to exact his pound of flesh on former governor Adamu Muazu, whom he held responsible for frustrating his desperate gubernatorial ambition under PDP ticket. Out of sympathy for his political predicament, the ANPP invited Yuguda and gave him the platform to contest and he won resoundingly.
Once he settled into office, Yuguda’s agenda was not how to double the achievement of his predecessor or establish his own record. Instead, he was entirely focused on how to get back at perceived political enemies and former Governor Adamu Muazu was his candidate for humiliation and vengeance. As part of this plot, he set up his so-called commission of inquiry to discredit his predecessor. The fact that he was determined to pull down Alhaji Adamu Muazu is an open secret. Even before he was rescued from humiliation by sympathetic voters in Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda had never forgiven Adamu Muazu for allegedly influencing his removal as Minister of Aviation, widely regarded as one of the most lucrative public offices. Indeed, Yuguda’s policy of vengeance shows the level of pettiness in the way a leader handless public office.
Former Governor Muazu’s record of achievements in the areas of education, health, agriculture, road network, water supply and rural electrification is one of the most impressive in Nigeria since the country’s return to democracy. The quality of the projects he executed was the envy of many political office holders. In fact, international agencies such as UNICEF and UNDP openly commended the standard set by former Governor Muazu. Muazu’s record remains unassailable and beating that record remains Isa Yuguda’s biggest headache.
Rather than emulating or surpassing Muazu’s impressive record, Yuguda’s priority appears to be focused on discrediting his predecessor at all cost. Allegations of contract inflation against the Muazu administration is all part of the tricks by the Yuguda administration to destroy the reputation of his predecessor.
Any serious leader who has a vision or focus shouldn’t waste his time magnifying the alleged crimes of his enemies and asking them to refund monies which were never stolen. Inventing frauds to bring down political enemies is not the hallmark of leaders who understand the enormous task at hand. Building on Muazu’s remarkable record of achievements should have been Yuguda’s areas of priority. Instead, personal vengeance has been elevated to official policy. The ghost of former Governor Muazu has been haunting Yuguda and he is now desperate to exorcise that ghost.
Governor Isa Yuguda is now playing God by banning Muazu from holding public office for ten years. This action is not only preposterous but also grossly insulting to the sensibilities of Nigerians who are familiar with Muazu’s brilliant performance record. According to the Roman philosopher, Lucius Seneca, “a dwarf remains small even if he stands on a mountain, but the colossus maintains his height even if he stands in a well.”
Banning a politician from holding office for ten years is a great threat to our democracy. The court had ruled decisively in the past in favour of former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasiru El’Rufai that the House of Representatives acted wrongly by banning him from holding public office for fifty years. Where the fundamental human rights of individual citizens are concerned, the law will always prevail over the arrogance of those who abuse power. In the case of Bauchi State, the motives behind the so-called ban are malicious. Public office, particularly in a democracy where the rule of law is cherished, should not be abused for the sake of gratifying private passion for vengeance. Former governor Muazu had delivered the dividends of democracy to his people and Yuguda’s animosity cannot wipe out that fact from our memory. The allegations in the white paper are politically motivated and malicious.
Therefore, can politically motivated allegations stand as a basis for banning anyone from holding public office for ten years? Governor Isa Yuguda cannot impress the people of Bauchi State on the basis of how many political opponents he brings down. He would be judge by his own record of success or failure. Indeed, his biggest task is sustaining or surpassing the record set by former Governor Muazu.How can somebody who has brazenly betrayed the electorate out of sheer political opportunism have the guts to ban anybody from holding public office for ten years? If indeed, Governor Yuguda had any conscience, he should have resigned rather than defect from the party that gave him the ticket to realize his ambition. He concocted allegations against his former Deputy in order to have him impeached because he refused to betray his conscience. Besieged by this moral burden, Governor Yuguda should not be looking for perceived enemies to destroy. The mills of nemesis grind slowly.
Abubakar Salihu Darazo, Old Karu, Abuja.
Articles
Bauchi’s plentiful diversionary ploys
Category: Comments Written by Abubakar Salihu Darazo Hits: 3186
A funny drama is unfolding in Bauchi State where Governor Isa Yuguda is doing everything possible in the dictionary of political tricks to discredit his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. In a white paper released by the Yuguda administration, former Governor Muazu has been ordered to refund over one billion naira allegedly stolen by him. If there is any surprise about the white paper it is not about its content but the time it took to make it public. The political motives are obvious to all keen observers in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
From the day he was sworn into office under the ANPP ticket, Governor Isa Yuguda didn’t disguise his malicious intention to exact his pound of flesh on former governor Adamu Muazu, whom he held responsible for frustrating his desperate gubernatorial ambition under PDP ticket. Out of sympathy for his political predicament, the ANPP invited Yuguda and gave him the platform to contest and he won resoundingly.
Once he settled into office, Yuguda’s agenda was not how to double the achievement of his predecessor or establish his own record. Instead, he was entirely focused on how to get back at perceived political enemies and former Governor Adamu Muazu was his candidate for humiliation and vengeance. As part of this plot, he set up his so-called commission of inquiry to discredit his predecessor. The fact that he was determined to pull down Alhaji Adamu Muazu is an open secret. Even before he was rescued from humiliation by sympathetic voters in Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda had never forgiven Adamu Muazu for allegedly influencing his removal as Minister of Aviation, widely regarded as one of the most lucrative public offices. Indeed, Yuguda’s policy of vengeance shows the level of pettiness in the way a leader handless public office.
Former Governor Muazu’s record of achievements in the areas of education, health, agriculture, road network, water supply and rural electrification is one of the most impressive in Nigeria since the country’s return to democracy. The quality of the projects he executed was the envy of many political office holders. In fact, international agencies such as UNICEF and UNDP openly commended the standard set by former Governor Muazu. Muazu’s record remains unassailable and beating that record remains Isa Yuguda’s biggest headache.
Rather than emulating or surpassing Muazu’s impressive record, Yuguda’s priority appears to be focused on discrediting his predecessor at all cost. Allegations of contract inflation against the Muazu administration is all part of the tricks by the Yuguda administration to destroy the reputation of his predecessor.
Any serious leader who has a vision or focus shouldn’t waste his time magnifying the alleged crimes of his enemies and asking them to refund monies which were never stolen. Inventing frauds to bring down political enemies is not the hallmark of leaders who understand the enormous task at hand. Building on Muazu’s remarkable record of achievements should have been Yuguda’s areas of priority. Instead, personal vengeance has been elevated to official policy. The ghost of former Governor Muazu has been haunting Yuguda and he is now desperate to exorcise that ghost.
Governor Isa Yuguda is now playing God by banning Muazu from holding public office for ten years. This action is not only preposterous but also grossly insulting to the sensibilities of Nigerians who are familiar with Muazu’s brilliant performance record. According to the Roman philosopher, Lucius Seneca, “a dwarf remains small even if he stands on a mountain, but the colossus maintains his height even if he stands in a well.”
Banning a politician from holding office for ten years is a great threat to our democracy. The court had ruled decisively in the past in favour of former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasiru El’Rufai that the House of Representatives acted wrongly by banning him from holding public office for fifty years. Where the fundamental human rights of individual citizens are concerned, the law will always prevail over the arrogance of those who abuse power. In the case of Bauchi State, the motives behind the so-called ban are malicious. Public office, particularly in a democracy where the rule of law is cherished, should not be abused for the sake of gratifying private passion for vengeance. Former governor Muazu had delivered the dividends of democracy to his people and Yuguda’s animosity cannot wipe out that fact from our memory. The allegations in the white paper are politically motivated and malicious.
Therefore, can politically motivated allegations stand as a basis for banning anyone from holding public office for ten years? Governor Isa Yuguda cannot impress the people of Bauchi State on the basis of how many political opponents he brings down. He would be judge by his own record of success or failure. Indeed, his biggest task is sustaining or surpassing the record set by former Governor Muazu.How can somebody who has brazenly betrayed the electorate out of sheer political opportunism have the guts to ban anybody from holding public office for ten years? If indeed, Governor Yuguda had any conscience, he should have resigned rather than defect from the party that gave him the ticket to realize his ambition. He concocted allegations against his former Deputy in order to have him impeached because he refused to betray his conscience. Besieged by this moral burden, Governor Yuguda should not be looking for perceived enemies to destroy. The mills of nemesis grind slowly.
Abubakar Salihu Darazo, Old Karu, Abuja.