Democracy&misuse of ‘executive powers,’ by Danpass
By MAJE T. SANUSI
DEMOCRACY has gradually assumed higher premium in the new world social order, as it has subsequently transformed social status, as well as upgraded political and economic standards of the developed nations across the globe.
This interesting development is not however, without hindrances and glaring consequences, since it similarly becomes a continued source of worry to developing nations, with reference to African sub-region and Nigeria in particular,where the acquired presidential system of governance has continued to pose serious danger and threatened smooth flow of life of individual member nations and states.
ALHAJI ABDULLAHI GAMBO MUHAMMAD DANPASS is a traditional ruler in Kano, a keen political activist, who never relents in studying, analyzing and proffering solutions to social, economic and political developments of this country-Nigeria.
In this interview with our political Editor, MAJE T. SANUSI, Alhaji Danpass detested the manner in which most nations in the African sub-region apparently take advantage of the ‘Executive powers,’ vested on them to abuse the rights and manipulate mandates of the people they governed. Danpass similarly bares his mind on a number of issues devouring Nigeria’s growth as a political giant of Africa. Follow the excerpt:
Daily Triumph:
As an active stakeholder and analyst of political activities in Kano and the country at large, how wouldyou assess the successes of seven years of democratic dispensation in Nigeria?
Gambo Danpass:
The history of Nigeria’s transition into the civilian administration is nothing to write home about , in view of backlog of problems that surround it. As a matter of fact, democracy, as a system of governance,should instill confidence in the minds of the citizenry, by giving equal rights to all, irrespective of geographical, ethnic, religious or sectional differences. It should similarly be able to emancipate the common man from clutches of hunger, poverty, insecurity and general decomposition to move the country forward.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, as in most African countries, one could not inanyway,talk of success, since what the nations have been able to achieve is their continued sinking into the deep sea of corruption,which eats into all fabrics of the societies. It is quite surprising that, every sector of our national development is consumed in this unprecedented tendency,asleadershave continually enriched themselves from the national treasuries, to the detriment of ordinary citizens.
What progress is there to discuss about, when all basic infrastructural facilities, such as national grid, water supply, roads network, education and health care delivery, among numerous others, supposedly to help in boosting living standards of peaple in the societies,especially the less-privileged, have continued to elude them?, Only to be replaced by general insecurity, resultant from high armed robbery cases, political assassinations, blackmail, and witch-hunt of fellow country men.
Such indices are also portrayed in ethnic cleansing, allegedly planned by those at wheel of governance, to pilot a hidden agenda. Other unhealthy circumstances are also seen in frequent religious and sectarian clashes and numerous social vices, aimed at achieving selfish motives.
But, is it the system or the leadership that is responsible for all these?
I don’t think it is the system, because Nigeria derives heavily from the American system of democracy. I quite believe that, the system is expensive, in view of its widedelegationof responsibilities, among various representatives in government. We understand that, the loaded schedules on the three tiers of government, which spread, across the numerous constituencies and wards. However, people attached to these levels of government should be able to benefit immensely from the system, instead of being left to wobble in too much hardships, hunger and frequent fears for the uncertainties.
It is disappointing that, while the Americans are reaping the dividendsofdemocracy, following adequate representation by the delegates,Nigerian representatives, at the National Assembly and other levels of governance, have virtually nothing to offer teeming electorate within the country.
Moreover,Nigerians have started testing bitter pills of the so-called democracy,introduced since the Shagari regime in 1979, when government officials and public office holders continued to amass wealth and stashed them in foreign banks, while at the same time, they grew fatter and dressed in flamboyant clothes, pushing ordinary citizens to the background and subsequently denying them chances of trading the path to the nation’s valuable fortunes.
It is still amazing that, African leaders generally, have little or no interest in the progress of their own countries. Majority of them, who are opportuned to be at the helm of their nations’ affairs only established themselves and few members of their family.
Some of them even prefer to remain permanently on power and consequently abuse their so- called executive positions, by monopolizing everything and pocketing every nickel of available resources in their midst.
Great manyof them neither accommodate opposition , nor do they accept suggestions from any individual or corporate groups. It is cristal clear that, they all chose to operate independently, so as to transformthemselves into, kinds of semi-lords, to further actualise their acquired enclavements.
They believe that by doing so, they will scare the shit out of their fellow countrymen and threaten the peaceful co-existence among them. Few among the leaders prefer throwing their countries into endless war and destroying all the available infrastructures there, rather than concede to victory of the opposition leaders.
Let me cite example of the late Liberian leader, Samuel Doe, Mobutu Sese Seiko of Zaire and of recent, Laurence Kabila of the Republic of Congo, Musebeni of Uganda and the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mogabi, among others. All of them are allegedly said to have taken advantage of the executive powers, obtained in the presidential system, to abuse the sovereignty and integrity of their lands, without much traces of any genuine development.
How have all these instances influence Nigeria’s style of democracy?
President Olusegun Obasanjo’s plan for Third-term could have scaled through, if it had not been quicly curtailed by the Nigerian elite.
Many of us, who study and interpret political events in the country,believedthat,he (Obasanjo) was trying to immitate his African friends by plotting for a sit-tight presidency, after almost putting all the nation’s basic resources in shamble and confusing everyone in the process of doing so. No one can say exactly where the limit of his proposed third- term plan could take him and ofcourse, we are not forgeting the fact that, his near-eight -years administration has no focus whatsoever.
All those talks about economic reforms,the establishment of EFCC, ICPCand the like,are simply make-beliefs because they are allegedly geared toward pursuing a hidden objective, inlieu of achieving the desired develpment.
We are not foretting the style, through which these organizations conduct themselves in scaring away all presidential candidates, who declared interest to be Obasanjo’s successors, at the expiration of his tenure in 2007.
The same EFCC is being used to threaten state executives and government officials, who are seen to have opposed the controversial third-term agenda.
Former Bayelsa governor, Alamiesegha, Anambra’s Chris Ingige, Oyo’s Ladoja and Plateau’s Joshua Dariye, have been initial victims of the heinous third- term plot, inspite of their exalted elective positionand attatched immunity.
It is common knowledge that, President Obasanjo is using available government machineries, at his disposal to scare away all those peoplewho are allegedly,viewed as the goernment’s enemies.
Today, manning of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), judiciary,police, SSS and other relevant institutionsare carefully hand-pickedbythe Presidency.Even the ruling party in the country is being controled by the presidency. Expectantly, all these categories must comply with the presidential dictates or be sacked immediately.
Amazingly,all those,who labored for the establishment and initial take-off of the PDP,who out of their interest for the nation invited Obasanjo to join them, had been flushed out, for the simple reason that, they totally refused to accommodate the plan by him to be president for life.
President Obasanjo’s misuse of the ‘executive powers,’ provided by the new political system in the country is visible, as he unilaterally controls all viable ministries,including the defence, petroleum and foreign affairs,which are placed under his close supervision.
Such tactful development is actually meant to provide Obasanjo with the enabling environment to manipulate every sector and section of the country , without any challenge to his dictatorial powers.
How will you react to the alleged plan by the federal government to unseat and arrest Atiku Abubakar after his return from vacation?
Vice President Atiku was elected into office, by the Nigerian electorate. like his boss. He therefore, scored the mandate to serve people. Eventhough, his election came on the platform of the PDP, under the democratic dispensation, he has every right to change his platform, if circumstances warrant it.
Similarly, the vice president is at liberty to contest any elective office because the national constitution does not prevent him from doing so, as such, it will be unwise to force him out of office or order his arrest. And even if such an idea is to be carried out because of selfish reason, it should be channeled through constitutional provisions. i.e through the National Assembly or court of law.
But the lawmakers usually keep silent, especially on biting national issues such as this. What will you say to that?
Well, actually our lawmakers must wake up from their slumber to defend the course of democracy in the country. As a matter of fact, their role is to check-mate all prospective elective positions and office holders , to straighten things out for democracy to establish its roots in Nigeria.
The current feud between the two executive giants could spell doom for the country, unless the law-making bodies intervene, by taking urgent measures toward restoring the good relationship that was earlier existing between them.
Nigerians are not unaware of the corrupt circumstances that bought some of MPs into office. They should not therefore, allow people to declare a vote of no confidence on them. They should also not be seen as contributing tothecollapseof democracy, insteadofhelpingits establishment.
What other alternative have you for Nigeria to assume its status, as a democratically advanced nation?
I’ll actually love to see the constitution of an ‘Elders Forum’, in the country, to work hands-in glob with the executive leadership.This should be made to comprise of all elder statesmen and responsible leaders, from every sections of the country. Traditional rulers, Ulama and corporate organizations, such as civil societies and security agents, among others, should equally be stakeholders, in view of their relevance to the development of the country.
Such a forum should be empowered by the constitution to checkmate activities and excesses of all executive leaders, including the President.
It should equally be mandated to guide and offer advices on way forward for the country. It should be given free hand to conduct itself and play its role of guidance and counselling to all leaders, from federal to local government level and on on every aspect of ournational development,includingthe economic and education sectors.
I’m quite positive that,if this committee is allowed towork, alot of cases of corruptions ,among public office holders will be solved. It will, at the same time help to check situation, whereby a president, agovernor,or local government chairman uses the executive powers of his seat to bend down the lawmaking bodies from carrying out their expected roles.
What massages have you for all the presidential candidates, particularly those from the North?
My massage for Vice president AtikuAbubakar,General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and all presidential flag-bearers, is to unite and work together as a team, in order to get Obasanjo and the PDP out of office.
Nigerians have suffered so much, during the past seven years of Obasanjo’s administration. It is obvious that, they will not want a repeat of these horroble years. But this will not be forthcoming, without the support and cooperation of one-another to achieve the desired objective.
Let me remind them that,no change will come up easily. It is noticeable that, President Obasanjo and his cohorts may not want to see the return of anyone of them.Their chances will be blocked at all course. I have a fealing that, he (Obasanjo) may succeed, if their previous records, as former leaders are traced.
However, for democracy to continue to excel in the country and for the North to have a qualified and credible president, they sould rescind their dicision to contest the presidency to present Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi as flag bearer for the region.
We must understand that, the former communications minister and first Kano state civilian governor is purely a civilian, who has the cleanest record to scale through the EFCC screening exercise to capture the position without undue hitches..