16 Oct 2004 |
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| by EUGENE AZUKA UZUM Esq.Leeds, United Kingdom.Sailvky8@yahoo.co.uk Nigeria as a nation is a microcosm of the world at large where you have the good, bad, ugly and wicked. This brings to mind that the complexity of our society is borne out of its diversity, cultural and religious bigotry. Based on the above, it’s not a fact in issue that what is good and acceptable in the Eastern or Southern part of Nigeria may be an offence in the north. Norms and traditions vary from one part of the country to the other. The action of the national assembly in demanding that Aso Rock should as a matter of urgency sack the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam El-Rufai based on alleged misguided utterances of the Minister is viewed with mixed feelings. It is beclouded by many factors, which requires a person with indept knowledge of the strides of El-Rufai’s ministerial activities to understand. The Senate is the apex legislative arm of government. The three arms of government, the executive, legislative and judiciary are meant to act as check and balance but at the same time, should not interfere with fundamental principles of the doctrine of separation of powers; for any attempt to penetrate the bulwark is often met with stiff resistance. Therefore at this juncture, one cannot completely condemn the apex legislative house for the swift attempt in curtailing seeming insubordination from authorities undermining the potency of its resolve. I will digress a little by taking the present impasse between out ex-maverick El-Rufai and the Senate. In my reasoning, I am tempted to belief that it can as well be coined as a friction between the Executive and Legislative arms of government. The antecedent trailing the Minister’s appointment pictures a fact that there has been an uneasy calm between the warring factions, taking into consideration the bribery scandal levelled against Senator Jonathan Zwingina and Senator Ibrahim Mantu. It is incontrovertible that Mallam El-Rufai has been blazing the trail with the rigidity of a British tax collector; I picture him to be moving with the speed of light and crushing any obstacle that comes his way, not minding whose ox is gored. Most recently, houses built on unapproved areas are being demolished, certificate of occupancy fraudulently approved or approved mal afide are being revoked, even the high and mighty are scared stiff and dumbfounded at the uncompromising position maintained by the then maverick minister in discharging his duties. In view of the above, Mallam El-Rufai has the respect of reformers who believe that socio-political emancipation can only be achieved through practical and constructive revolution in the system. In all, that does not give room for unguarded statement, garrulous disposition and wanton insubordination. As an intellectual wielding such executive portfolio of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, his actions should have spoken more with a positive image, rather than embarking on this painful voyage. Nigerian politicians should wake up to the realities of governance. Politics is all about selflessness, humility, service and courage. If a statement by a serving Minister amounts to suspending the debate of national issues, I wonder what will happen if five Ministers or three Director Generals do the same thing. If the Minister’s statement amounts to his dismissal, what happened to the fighters in the National Assembly and even the States? The National Assembly should take a cue from Second Republic Governor of Plateau State in Nigerian political history. Solomon Lar met stiff oppositions from within and outside his cabinet. He was insulted, stoned and disparaged and today Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, who was a force in the realization of a new Plateau State, is now the governor of Nasarawa State. If the National Assembly does not trail with caution and exercise restrains in handling multi-faced issues such this, where then is the beauty of democracy? On the Internationals scene, British Prime Minister, Tony Blair has been called a fool to his face, stoned, booed and disparaged before and after the invasion of Iraq; his American counterpart, George W. Bush has faced similar imbroglio, the House of Lords did not threaten to go on strike at the utterances and actions of Claire Shoot and Robin Cook. It is unfortunate that the Senate took the issue personal. The disposition of the Minister was a call to duty in my perspective, but it is glaring that there are fools in the system. The honourable Minister’s apology was most unfortunate; the apology means an admission, apologizing means he has rested his case of the Senate’s submission and that is an embarrassment to the entire nation. Two things come to mind at this juncture. First is that the Minister could have bitten more that he could chew; secondly, the indomitable Minister was probably intimidated. Whichever is the fact in issue, it all means that there is a victor and a vanquished. At least the Senate has gotten a good quantity of flesh from the poor Minister. HE REVOKED HIS WORDS! This sends a dangerous signal to plebiscite and erudite achievers like NAFDAC boss Mrs. Akunyili, CBN’s Soludo and Hon. Labaran Maku, Deputy Governor Nasarawa State. Finally, not all Nigerians can be fooled by sham utterances, ultimatums and apologies. All the parties are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), PDP is the ruling party and the utterance was made by PDP, making the president vicariously liable. The ultimatum was given by PDP and apology tendered by PDP with poor Nigerians as spectators. It all amounts to executive and legislative incompetence cum lawlessness. To our poor Minister, don’t be perturbed beyond this point, arise and be more focused. As an intellectual, you must have your pitfalls, and it was capitalized on. According to AKBAN RASHIE RAFSANJARI of Iran, the greatest enemy a man has is his ex-wife, recognise this and forge ahead. You are just down but certainly not out. EUGENE AZUKA UZUM Esq. L.L.B. Hons, BL. Leeds, United Kingdom. Sailvky8@yahoo.co.uk
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