danazumikofarmata@yahoo.com

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

First, I would like to felicitate with all Nigerians for getting Chief Obasanjo out of Aso Rock Presidential Villa on this historic day, Tuesday, 29 May 2007 . He is now part of history. Nevertheless, during the eight straight and uninterrupted years of Obasanjo’s presidency, Nigerians suffered from a number of unprecedented deprivations in the midst of almost quadrupling of crude oil prices in the world oil market. Unlike his distant democratically elected predecessor, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Obasanjo arrived in power when Nigeria was savouring sustained streams of oil revenues from crude oil exports, the engine of Nigeria ’s development in. All thanks to the military engagements taking place in the theatre of war in the major crude oil producing nation of Iraq and the insurgency by the Niger Delta militants here in Nigeria . However, former president Obasanjo squandered the excellent opportunities created by the availability of these stupendous excess crude oil revenue windfalls and external debts pardon that his presidency benefited from.

This article is not about what was done and not done by the failed presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It is rather, about what President Umaru Musa Yar Adua could do to undo and diffuse the booby traps left behind for him by nearly-sit tight former president Aremu Obasanjo. Incidentally, Mahmud Jega’s article in the Daily Trust of May 28^th, 2007 (http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200705280213.html) equally duelled on this matter as well.

My article of May 27^th, 2007 on this very issue also appeared in both nigeriavillagesquare.com and gamji.com websites respectively. Both articles coincidently analysed the issue of booby traps that former president Olusegun Obasanjo left behind for President Yar Adua. Nevertheless, the big issue and question is where would President Yar Adua start in the onerous task of clearing these booby traps, landmines and unexploded cluster bombs that were left behind for him? To answer this question one needs to tarry a bit and search our recent history of democratic experimentation. If we recall it was the same General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) that ushered in the ill-fated Second republic that lasted only four years and four months: October 1979 – December 1983.

The principal reason why the Second republic did not last longer than it did was for the booby traps and landmines General Obasanjo layered on the path of Shehu Shagari’s presidency. First, it all started with the first jumbo loans secured for Nigeria by General Olusegun Obasanjo who was then Nigeria ’s Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the demise of General Murtala Muhammad who was cold bloodedly assassinated on February 16, 1976 . With the change in interest rates by the United States Federal Reserve Bank , which led to global economic recession, Nigeria found it modest external debts ballooned to high heavens. Secondly, World crude oil prices collapsed and the market was awash with glutted crude oil on the cheap. Nigeria ’s economy took a deep plunge and the rest is now history.

Other means used by General Obasanjo, who also as at that time, reluctantly relinquished power to the civilians, included micro managing the transition programme. For example, General Obasanjo influenced certain key appointments in the presidency before he handed over power to former president Shehu Shagari. To that extent, Obasanjo was able to plug-in a number of his cronies, friends and associates in sensitive and strategic key position of the Shagari’s administration. Shagari did nothing to change what Obasanjo recommended for him. For example, General Obasanjo selected and recommended to Shagari his Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) before he handed over power to him.

The consequences of Shagari’s mistakes are now history. For example, Nigeria since 1983, never experience again, true democratic governance and successful civilian-to-civilian democratic transition or change of power until now. Even the current transition that was celebrated on Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 is enmeshed in controversy, which no one can say in whose favour it will be resolved by the election petition tribunal. This again, shows that we have gone round full cycle in this pathetic situation, still with General Olusegun Obasanjo again, as the Chief Presiding Officer, in the lingering search for enduring democratic governance in Nigeria

Again, will history repeat itself under Yar Adua’s Presidency? This is a billion-naira question. Least we forget, President Yar Adua has already told us that in addition to continuing with former President Obasanjo’s repugnant and failed economic reform agenda, we should also expect minimal changes in the composition of his presidential staffers and cabinet members, as he would retain substantial number of Obasanjo’s garbage. If he eventually does that, then there is clear and present danger for acceptability and survival of his regime. Therefore, all the talk of Yar Adua will be his own man, assert his authority and spring surprises will all amount to nought.

To be or not to be? That is another billion-naira question. The best starting point, if Yar Adua so decides to be his own man and assert his authority would be to reverse the 15 percent price hike of petroleum products, which was announced by former president Obasanjo about 24 hours to his handing over the reigns of governance and national leadership. This is a very simple but very popular thing to do. Yar Adua will get instant support and acceptance of millions of deprived and angry Nigerians. Remember, hike in petroleum products prices was the Achilles heel and major undoing of the Shonekan-led Interim National Government (ING). The reversal of the hike by late General Sani Abacha was what gave him an early acceptance by majority of Nigerians when he toppled the ING despite the cloud of credibility of the palace coup he staged hanging over his head at the time.

Another very important public relation related policy action that President Yar Adua should consider is reaching out to the striking unions of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). A face-to-face meeting with officials of these unions will go along way in dousing the hardened positions of these unions regarding their grievances. They are on strike this long largely as the result of the uncivilized manner Obasanjo treats these very important members of the polity. A gentler and humane rapprochement by Yar Adua will definitely show the difference in terms of ability to dialogue with the Unions and seek their partnership in moving the nation forward and deepening its shaky democratic foundation. There must be mutual respect and dignity in the process of dialogue with the Unions at all times.  Yar Adua could register a profound difference in style and substance in this way.

The next line of action that Yar Adua should consider after the ceremonial inauguration into office is to appoint a credible and respectable Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Security of life and property has degenerated in the last eight years of Obasanjo’s inept handling of state affairs. It is here that the broad public will start to benefit from the benefits of new administration. Therefore, making immediate difference from the former regime and the new administration can easily be tasted when there is improvement in the general security situation of the country. This could be done with the appointment of a credible and reform minded IGP.

There are reservoirs of lessons to learn from previous appointments of IGP made by the previous administrations. The appointment of new IGP therefore, should be guided by wisdom and political dexterity. Yar Adua should consult widely among critical stakeholders in determining whom he appoints as the new IGP. Furthermore, the possibility of appointing the new IGP from outside the Police Force should be seriously considered. This could be the best route to reforming the Police Force. Least we forget, the army was used in reforming the Customs Service some years back.

In the same league of priority of establishing authority and enhancing, the credibility of the new administration, Yar Adua should consider reviewing and or reversing all administrative, strategic and political appointments and terminations of appointments by Obasanjo’s administration made during the last three months to the handover. This is necessary if Yar Adua is to avoid the mistakes of the past. Least we forget it was the same Obasanjo that cancelled all administrative, strategic and political appointments made by General Abdul salami Abubakar prior to the handover of the reigns of government to him in 1999.

The imperative of this suggestion goes beyond the dictum that says what is good for the Geese are also good for the Gander . It is abnormal for an outgoing administration to make key appointments for an incoming one in any democratic and governmental set up. Here again, Yar Adua is a lucky man in the since that if he wants to get it right, he could consult widely among critical stakeholders, more especially from among elder statesmen such as former Presidents and Heads of State (minus the immediate past one), seasoned politicians and retired generals amongst others.

The next line of action that President Yar Adua needs to do to assert his authority and win the confidence of the polity, is to review all the sales of public properties, award of contracts and allocation of oil blocks done by Obasanjo in the last three months of his administration. This is also necessary if Yar Adua wants Nigerians to believe his acclaimed posture as an honest, sincere and incorruptible person, who always believes in transparency, accountability and due process in public service. This suggestion is also inline with the antecedents of Obasanjo’s action immediately after he was sworn as President in 1999. The reason for undertaking such a policy measure is to ensure that proper procedures of due process, transparency and accountability had been adhered to or followed.

To assuage the concerns of the opposition political parties, civil society organizations and the international community, Yar Adua should during his first 100 days, lay the grounds for the very urgently needed reform of the electoral system. This will go along way in fulfilling his promise to reform the electoral system and processes. By doing so, he would have set the first stage towards laying strong foundation more amenable to the principles of democracy. “Perhaps these could even be Nigeria’s first steps to democracy,” to quote Reverend Father Matthew Kukah, a Catholic clergyman.

However, establishing his authority without compromising his ideals on "good governance, transparency and accountability" should not be construed as “biting the hand that fed him,” with due apologies to former Minister Nasir El-Rufai.

The next and most sensitive, emotional and probably sentimental but controversial decision is one that borders on immediate pardon and release of Obasanjo’s political prisoners. These are the likes of the jailed Niger Delta militia leader Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, MASSOB leader Uwazurike, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, Major Hamza al-Mustafa, Colonel Jibrin Bala Yakubu, Police Commissioner James Danbaba and CSP Rabo Lawal. Some of these people were incarcerated for almost eight years now. Justice delayed is justice denied. President Yar Adua must end this travesty of justice inflicted on these individuals. The case of Mujaheed Asari Dokubo is a special one. He should be pardoned and released immediately. He can be a catalyst for resolving the lingering and embarrassing crisis in the Niger Delta. Moreover, without the spirited agitation and struggle led by Asari Dokubo, His Excellency Vice President Dr Jonathan Goodluck would not be that lucky enough to be occupying his new exalted position today. We should also remember that other ethnic militia leaders such as Dr Frederick Faseun and Mr. Gani Adams were released sometime ago

Another case that President Yar Adua should revisit immediately is the controversial Federal Government gazetted White Papers on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) targeted against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others. This is yet another travesty of justice at play here. Although the courts have quashed these Kangaroo and vindictive indictments, Yar Adua should provide additional executive/presidential reprieve. This will hasten the spirit of reconciliation.

Haven addressed these immediate explosive domestic challenges left behind by former President Obasanjo, on the international scene; Yar'Adua should seize the opportunity opened to him to attend the G8 meeting in Berlin next month to launch himself and his administration into the arenas of international affairs and diplomacy. This opportunity should be used to the maximum, to initiate Yar Adua, who has had little experience of diplomacy and world politics beyond Nigeria

Finally, President Yar Adua must navigate a fine way of insulating himself from the political vampires that also go by the name “Any Government in Power” (AGIP) and business moguls and oligarchs that have grown in stature and influence under Obasanjo reign. These rent-seekers are capable of undermining Yar Adua’s credibility as they did to Obasanjo, whom became captive of their idiosyncrasies at the detriment of our collective national interest and patrimony.  

Robot  # 1 | 30.05.2007 13:03

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