In Nigeria the more you see, the less you understand. To one with a background in the physical sciences, if asked add 1 to 1, what do you get? Without hesitation the answer is two. However, with respect to power struggle in party politics, if one thinks like an engineer and asked the same question, the answer will make him go nuts. The Nigerian jungle politics does not reason or proceed in a civilised manner. No wonder the running battles between the kleptomania politicians with ambitions higher than Mount Kilimanjaro all out against the anti-corruption drive.
When the ANPP chose Buhari to be its flag bearer, I did a piece in the Daily Trust of Friday, January 5, 2007 captioned “Buhari: ANPP and the sense of Patriotism”. That was over 10 years back. Since then Buhari has been struggling with what I should like to coin the “He” or “She” or is it “She-He” in and out of his party. Buhari revealed that he had “never been so sick in his life” as he was recuperating away in London. The fight against corruption that the “She” or “He” or is it the “She-He” are up in arms against under all or any circumstance. Corruption as a social cancer should be seen as terrorism and requires a man of iron and steel and with an exceptional courage to confront head-on.
Now let us come to the “He” or “She” or is it “She-He” comedians. This analogy is derived from a little comedy I watched in a British TV drama. There was a female house maid servant to a family who had a young teenager. So she was supposedly a “She”. One day “She” forgot to close the door of the birth room when urinating. The boy passing by saw the supposedly “She” urinating like a male the “He” but in her female dress!! Of course it was clear the way “She” was holding her private part it could only be “He”. The boy was confused and ran to his mother and said mum I saw “He” or “She” oh mum or was it “She-He” I saw. Wonders never end. Like the “She” or “He” or is it the “She-He” is the kind of drama that is unfolding in the APC today.
When Buhari was taken ill, it was reported that some of the “He” or “She” or “She-He” schemers saw an opportunity to present themselves as stand by No 2 to Osibanjo in case the vacancy that may be declared. So the story goes. Many “She” or “He” known to be customers of star gazers tried their luck. Most have faith in Mallam Babba Na Kofar Gabas spiritualists who they believe have the powers to hand over power to them.
Former Governor of Kaduna Balarabe was quoted to have said there were the PDP1 and PDP2 in the struggle for power during GEJ’s clueless administration. Most Nigerians see them as largely clueless kleptomaniacs and morally bankrupt materialists. It is a pity many above 60 years and advanced in age recognise not that their days are numbered. The PDP2 group that was schemed out of power migrated to the CPC. These kleptomaniacs saw a gap in the CPC. Most supporters like me had no money so these kleptomaniacs had money to reposition themselves. Buhari needed house helps and they dressed as the “She”.
They got settled as the “He” or “She” or the “She-He” behaving like saints around Buhari. These guys, who say with their tongues what is not in their hearts (PDP2), schemed out of PDP1 under clueless GEJ administration, had to survive. The cool atmosphere was in favour of Buhari. So they jumped at the opportunity. All square, with tons of money to throw around for their hidden agenda. We the people could only hold wallets with small change. Today Buhari has learnt the hard way from the “He” or “She” or is it “She-He” hypocrisy and selfishness of these deadly snakes-these vipers and serpents.
The PDP1 and PDP2 have one common denominator. Most have cases to answer with the EFCC or the law courts and more so the whistle blowing policy that prevent them from a sound sleep. So even though each in the pack is concerned with the self-preservation and his selfish agenda, they are one against the anti-corruption drive of Buhari. In the 16 years the use and abuse of government power to rig has been their stock-in-trade. In or out of APC they will orchestrate the same song if it will favour them. Once a PDP always a PDP in thoughts, words and actions.
In Katsina, the home state of Buhari, one wonders why the Governor is not visible in the villa. Nor is he taking advantage of the environment to complete the projects that his predecessor Shema started. Whether one likes it the commendation from none Katsina state and even the state indigenes of what Shema achieved in the corrupt PDP 16 years stands out. Could Masari and the key government functionaries with their recycled contractors and consultants deny being part of the 16 years PDP misrule?
Could they say they were with Buhari when he was humiliated by PDP? Even the migration to the CPC was out of frustration with the PDP1. If they will park into the cozy office and use the stadium Shema built why allow the other facilities for the good of Katsina people be allowed to waste. They are not the property of Shema but Katsina people and posterity. In Kaduna El-Rufai renegotiated the Kawo-Ali Akilu highway that Ramalan Yero started. In Kano Ganduje is touching some Kwankwasiyya project along Kurna. Buhari is building on the railways he inherited. Whatever animosities, governance is a continuum and so one has to build on his predecessor. Masari has a maximum of six years to hand over his projects to someone else.
If Masari is to succeed to serve as a role model for Buhari, he must be courageous enough to be on his own. He must be in-charge and be seen to be in charge. In terms of progress, so far it is a far cry. Two years could, however, make a difference, if there is goodwill. If at all he is to make a mark he must be courageous enough to tackle “the hijackers”.
The voters are the power and come 2019, they will judge in a free and fair election. After all Buhari begged the Katsina people to elect Masari in order not to disgrace him. And they complied. Masari too must comply and not throw his allegiance elsewhere. If Katsina fails then someone wishes Buhari not to succeed given Katsina as a test case.
Engr. Fari wrote this piece from Kaduna.
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