The emergence of any Nation State, whether in Europe or Africa, presupposes that it should have satisfactorily waded through its peculiar moments of pessimistic upheavals or nagging problems, which might have necessitated the selfless sacrifices and difficult concessions on the part of true Patriots and UNIFIERS.
The Confederation of Switzerland is a notable example of a Union that was impressively built to adapt to its multi-ethno-cultural and diversified ecosystem. It is today the enviable and stable nation that we know is home to such reputable organisations like FIFA, the Red Cross and ILO, etc. On the contrary, the anticipated Union between Senegal and Gambia, Sene-Gambia, which we heard of in the very early 80s has simply fizzled away, for want of requisite WILL power, on the part of the parties to the “marriage”.
In order to strengthen the integrative forces of any much desired national Bond, true believers and un-pretentious promoters of the country’s ONENESS, must come out from time to time, to stridently denounce the retardative manoeuvres and primordially egoistic tendencies from some quarters.
For our dear country Nigeria, it is worth repeating for the umpteenth time, that the demise in Government custody of Alhaji Moshood Abiola, Winner of the June 12, 1993, general elections, was a watershed in Nigeria’s march towards emancipative democracy, as the ensuing Military regime was the most execrable, loathed and dehumanising in the annals of Military rule in Nigeria. The Abacha regime actually pushed the nation to the brink of disintegration.
It is to the eternal credit of the Military regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar that he firmly resolved to assuage the Yoruba Kindred of Late Alhaji MKO Abiola, by evolving a Leadership succession template, essentially construed to choose the country’s new President from amongst them. There is no doubt that justice, equity, fair play and palpable egalitarianism are glaringly inherent in that historical and land mark decision. Alas, by that singular and altruistic gesture, we have been offered a justice-imbued turn-by-turn conventional template for leadership renewal.
It has since come to be recognised as the Principle of Rotational Presidency. An overwhelming majority of Nigerians, except of course, for some conscienceless money bags, are truly enamoured by the arrangement which is suitable for our vast Multi-ethno-cultural and religious diversity.
Let us cogitate on these reportedly acquiescent comments of the two-time Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayoshe:
“The former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has stressed that Nigeria’s diversity necessitates a consideration of regional balance and fairness in presidential elections. He believes that these sentiments have become deeply ingrained in the nation’s polity and cannot be easily dismissed.
Fayose contended that disregarding such factors would undermine unity and fuel further divisions within the country. He firmly advocates for constitutional provision that will explicitly address the issue of regional representation in the presidency, to allay the fears of domination.”
In acknowledging the truism in Fayose’s position, we are also constrained to appreciate the laudable stance of Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, who during the last presidential elections, stood out boldly as the foremost CHAMPION, in promoting the Principle of Rotational Presidency. In recent times however, the Principle has been unjustly subjected to some painful throes by the selfish and puerile criticisms of some politicians.
Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike has unwaveringly been scrupulously committed to the respect of the periodical swings of the power appropriation pendulum. He has been the motivational and propelling spirit of the like minds that have come together as the G-5 Governors. In none of their States did the South-bound pendulum disappoint in comparative vote-count during the Presidential elections. In other words, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had no majority votes over his Southern co-aspirants in any of their States.
I leave you to conjecture how the following declaration by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar might have resonated in the South, while they patiently awaited the expiration of the 8-year tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari:
“Northern Nigeria doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerners need. So I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of Northern origin”
Nyesom Wike’s response to such an unguarded and self-opinionated assertion was a categorical NO. In his unequivocal stance for the UNITY of this country he cannot imagine how there could be ONE Nigeria, if the Efiks must vote for only a Pan-Nigerian Efik and the Ijaws for a Pan-Nigerian ijaw, as prescribed by Atiku Abubakar. If we must have Unity in diversity, the Efiks must be able to vote for the Ijebu man and the Sokoto man for the Isoko man. By the foregoing statement Atiku has completely disqualified himself from the postulation of a UNIFIER and believer in one and indivisible Nigeria.
Nyesom Wike says the Southerner should await his predictable turn and the Northerner the same. When it is the Northerner’s turn, no Southerner of any presumptuous or vaunted level of Pan-Nigerianism, should try to interpose. How many persons are prepared to stake their lives and ambitions in pursuit of the perennity of this God-inspired Leadership renewal template, for the accelerated integration of our country? We are therefore imploring President Asiwaju Tinubu to appoint Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister, in commendable reciprocation of his total dedication and commitment to his cause, and towards his election.
Nyesom Wike, the unapologetic UNIFIER and DE-TRIBALISED PAN-NIGERIAN will as a Minister, work assiduously for the indiscriminate implementation and supervision of country-wide projects. That remains the kernel of his propelling philosophy of equity, fairness and unity.
We are therefore imploring President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to appoint him a high profile Minister. We are certainly not seeking the approbation or otherwise of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on this matter. Continue Reading
