I have considered it pertinent to comment on the recent outburst of the Chairman of PDP Kebbi State chapter. I expected that by this time they will do it differently by at least pretending to care for the welfare and lives of the common man and accept a nomination which many saw as one that is deserving seeing the background of the candidate. When I heard the news, it came as a surprise that a man with no godfahter coming from nowhere can actually make it as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This came as a sign of relief, seeming like we are finally getting there where the Goodluck Jonathan administration is now rising to the occasion and doing what is expected of it. By fulfilling its promise to eradicate the politics of Godfatherism in Nigeria,but alas the vulture will always not hide its carnivorous tendency each time it sees flesh thrown away.
In these trying times we find ourselves in Nigeria,we don’t need any mediocre to be in the helms of affairs in the security sector. The welfare of Nigerians is supreme and overrides the interest of a few,who only think of their pockets and their immediate families.
I have taken my time to go through the purported list the chairman is stating they have submitted and with my little knowledge,bearing in mind the security challenges our their nation is facing,I conclude with dismay that only a vampire who feeds in the flesh and blood of humans will support the names the PDP submitted and reject the name of an army General who from records available has a clean, sound record attached to his military career, having vast knowledge of the infantry, combatant action,and trained as a security expert, not to talk of positions he held during his career in the military. Having no Godfather assures Nigerians that they have no reason to doubt how he will discharge his duties. I however pause for a moment to ponder that if the chairman is threatening to fight a battle just to stop a nomination done purely on the basis of merit,expertise and professional qualification, it baffles me as a patriotic Nigerian,who craves for a better Nigeria how this so called politicians forget so easily the promises they made to us in their campaigns( for) good governance.
The country is seriously facing insurgency and you are clamouring for party favor. National interest overrides and over shadows any other interest mister chairman.
The provision of the constitution as to its supremacy is clear: section ‘1. (1) This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’ And it went further to buttress this provision in section ‘(3) If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void, The constitution prohibits against discrimination of citizens and also confers fundamental human rights on its citizens.
The moves to disqualify Gen. Ushe by reason of his Non-membership or not “being a politician” is not only void and inconsistent with the constitution but also if that happens infringes on his rights to take any political office without discrimination as to sex,religion or ethnic background except on grounds stipulated by the grand norm (constitution). The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has always advocated for the application and observance of rule of law, this is the time Mr. president for you to show Nigerians you mean the gospel you preach.
Nigerians are tired of politics of godfatherism, we crave for change and transformation and the time has come for you to make it happen.
Mr President might try considering the provisions of section that states : section 14 (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that:(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. This provisions (placing emphasis on paragraph (b)) upholds the doctrine of National interest over sectional interest based on sentiments.
I may be talking as an individual now but having in mind that millions of Nigerians carry same notion as me. Mr president we don’t want business as usual, we want the tune of music playing at present to change. Remember that you have sworn to up hold and guard the provision of the constitution and as well transform the nation,Nigerians need it now, we want to see the transformation agenda applied here,we want to have a breath of fresh air once again for the one we have now has been polluted. We want peace restored in Nigeria, we want the Nigeria our fore fathers fought and died for. We want a better Nation.
Sule Babawo is a barrister
