Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s Political Will, His Resilience And Preparatory Exit From Power: Discerning The People’s Will -By Dokpesi Timothy Adidi

Most times I do not know how to interpret my position on the personality of the Governor of Kaduna State. I fear not to be contradicted in my analysis of his stewardship and leadership style. For those who know me with my frequent letters to the Governor of Kaduna State, they either see me as an ardent supporter or fan of the Governor; and others would just see me as a social critic of the Governor of Kaduna State (Mallam Nasir El-Rufai). In fact, most people will just presume and assume that I seek attention from the Governor for political appointment or some form of monetary value or gratification. Nonetheless, whatever people will think of me could either be right or wrong. What is of utmost importance to me is my conscience that speaks deeply to me. To be honest, and my honesty is not leverage on popular demand or support; but, it is leverage on what is the situation on ground. I have never met the Governor of Kaduna State as a person; but I hope one day I shall meet with him just for one simple reason to congratulate him for his political will and resilience. Although, as humans we must not always agree’ but, to agree and disagree should not done in bad faith. As a fan of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai I have always agreed and disagreed with some of his policies; and for those who have taken time to critically read my open letters and articles about the Governor I am very clear on my position with certain policies that have tendencies to be anti-people if not well managed; and how certain decisions could be averted on the ground of the common good. As a core democrat I know that to agree and disagree are vital ingredients to democratic consolidation and this gives me the courage to tell the Kaduna State Governor when he is wrong and when he is right. This I do with utmost respect and diligence having in mind that constituted authorities are what they are and who they are. As such, caution is very important so that one can be at peace with the State and at the same time contributing towards national development. Whether this is acknowledged or not, the fact remains every Nigeria owes the State a duty to either agrees or disagree as long as it is done in good faith and not out of circumstantial gains. It is a duty we must be committed to if we must achieve our desired goal and common destiny as a people. In my last open letter to the Governor of Kaduna State on 12th July, 2021 I admonished and advised His Excellency to transmit to the Presidency the need to declare state of emergency in Kaduna State. I received so many calls in that regard and many saw reasons with me why it was imperative for the Governor of Kaduna State to think otherwise and do the needful to see if the current insecurity challeneges will be ameliorated. In the letter, I made my points very clear not to undermine what the Governor had done for the State so far; but, the fear of losing all that has been achieved. One would have expected the Governor acted to such a letter. I would rather be surprised if he did act; yet, the fact he maintained status quo did not deter me from holding to my position. As of the time it looked like we were heading nowhere as if our land was besieged, such advice was very imperative. But, did my position change? No! As long as there is a political will to ensure that the level of insecurity reduces to bearest minimum. The question that will follow suit is what is the current security situation now in Kaduna State? Was the open letter then still relevant today? I will not say anything further so I can be focus on the crux of this article. In the past weeks touring the metropolitan city of Kaduna State and its environs, there is no doubt in my mind that the Executive Governor of Kaduna State has the necessary transformative powers and the gene of infrastructural development to do either what his predecessors began or never did. It is very much obvious that there is a template for infrastructural development in which Kaduna State was designed to have as a roadmap for infrastructural development. It is either the roadmap was recently created or the roadmap was taken for granted. The fact therefore remains, and which is, anybody coming into Kaduna State must be rest assured you don’t miss your way because on several occasion I have missed my way in Kaduna North because of the road constructions and rehabilitation with other unprecedented architectural facelift. I remember vividly, I sent a personal email to the Governor of Kaduna and to my greatest surprised he replied me. I remember most of the open letters I wrote had always emphasized that the Governor does not forget Kaduna South in his Cosmopolitanization and Urbanization policy framework. When I sent him the personal email I was to first and foremost test the waters as to the accessibility of the Governor and he passed the test. Secondly, as to the promise he made to me in that email ensuring that everybody will benefit from the Cosmopolitanization and Urbanization policy framework as stipulated. He again passed the test. Anyone coming into Barnawa will understand that the transformative power and political will of the Governor has extended to Kaduna South. To deny this reality is to deny one’s own existence; the only issue I will consider very significant in this regard is the fact that there is a question of balancing and equilibrium. I would not want to be too apologetic, but we cannot conclude now to say that the Governor will neglect other areas like Sabon Tasha, Goni Gora, Television, Ungwa Boro, Ungwa Pama, Ungwan Sunday, Kakuri, Trikania etc. but let posterity decide the case. Is it possible for Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to extend his political will and resilience to this other areas within his tenure? What is the possibility of this magic? Are there funds to carry out this project especially now that it seems the country is starved of funds? Should he not be able to meet up will the people in Kaduna State if given the opportunity allow the Governor take a term third to complete what he has started and continue from where he will stop? I am aware of the fact that the constitution does NOT allow for third term but if we truly imbibe the characteristics of both a direct and indirect representative democracy the people have the right to demand for a third term. Now I understand why the former President Olusegun Obasanjo advanced this very cause that met waterloo. How sure are we that the next Governor of Kaduna State even though from the All Peoples Congress or People’s Democratic Party or whatever will either continue the Infrastructural works of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or abandon them? His predecessors no doubt started well; but, how sure are we of those who will take leadership into the future? And how sure again, are we they will not do better? As the Governor prepares to exit the scene in the forth coming elections due in 2023 I think we should begin to have a rethink of the third term agenda on the grounds of competence and merits rather than party loyalty or money and elistic grounds. We might not necessarily advocate for the third term as stipulated; but, for the sake of continuity and resilience and also political will for Governors whose achievements are measurable, quantifiable, and quality enough, then, there is a need to rethink the third term agenda either on the levels of State alone and two terms for the Presidency. In a direct and representative democracy this is not out of place. Should the people decide that they want continuity on the basis of a constitutional review and parliamentary engagement in a social democracy viable for integral development and growth? The point is very simple, the people of Kaduna State should know what they want as we prepare towards the next election. We should learn from the elections in Anambra State and be decisive on what we want for the future or lose track of where we are coming from and where we are. We should look at the progress so far and project what the future of Kaduna State should be. The era of money bag politics should be disengaged from and look towards delivery of goods for the common good; rather than sharing of national cakes and awarding of contract that do not exit. ADIDI, Dokpesi Timothy is resident in Kaduna State. He is a scholar, a consultant for Family Domestic Violence and Education, a Social Critic and Philosopher. 08138605055 07014278383 timshow03@gmail.com