MR PRESIDENT SIR, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO RUN MAD!

With all due respect sir, I mean it... Run Mad! The recent spate of killings in Nigeria from Zamfara to Benue, Plateau to Adamawa and Taraba to Sokoto require serious attention and a complete dose of madness to tackle.

Hundreds of people have been killed over the last few months by faceless individuals while they slept. Pregnant women, little children and even animals have not been spared by these rampaging marauders. In fact there’s hardly any day that one wakes up without the news of killings and kidnappings in different parts of the country and I’m afraid sir that it is almost getting to the point of being normal.

Sir forget about decorum and politics and ''gentlemanness'' and bureaucracy and due process in tackling this issue and approach the current Nigeria insecurity problems with all the instruments as well as people at your disposal.

Sir, I need you to literally run mad. Yes I mean raving mad! As the Commander in chief of everybody, come into your office with serious rage, throw files, slap someone, sack someone, summon someone, curse someone and make everyone around you very very uncomfortable. Watch them sit up and come up with ideas on how to tackle this issue in no time. Nigerians are very unique people who sometimes need a dose of madness from oga at the top to sit up and perform their duties. We are masters in reading and deciphering body language from our bosses and largely tend to behave according to how we interprete this language. Sir don’t bother about what people will say because Nigerians tend to understand and excuse rage and tantrums from old people who we fondly call baba. As a former soldier and General Sir, we will perfectly understand when you run mad. After all we excused a former soldier and baba who came before you.

Sir, anyone who tells you he’s cracking his brain for answers to this problem is not serious. Throw the person in the guard room first and then sack him. Anyone who tells you that your political enemies are behind these killings to make you look bad should first of all be whipped like a school boy and banished from your office. Do this once and watch all the sycophants behave. Don’t forget that they said the same thing to your predecessor who believed them and refused to act, which made Nigerians reject him at the polls. If it is however true that politicians are responsible for these killings sir, go after them like a wounded lion. Do not spare them at all. Make them pay for their crimes. Establish credible intelligence and go after them without minding your own political future. In fact anybody who asks you not to touch these people because you’re seeking re-election should be made to see your soldier side. Slap the person and tell him that you care more about the lives of Nigerians than politics. Tell him that at 74, winning the next election is not as important as keeping your people safe.   

While you’re busy reading riot acts, giving deadlines and dealing with everyone in charge of security in the country, also spare some time and visit the communities that are affected. Mourn with them, comfort and reassure them. Make them see that you’re on top of the situation and assure them that it will never happen again.

Sir you promised us change, and among the points you based your campaigns on are fighting corruption and insecurity but as  things are looking right now, this issue of farmers/ herders clashes, killings and kidnapings are overshadowing any gains that you have made on security in the North Eastern part of the country. There is no better time to turn this around than now. So Mr President, do yourself and everyone else a favour – Kindly run mad!

MINISTERIAL NOMINATION: WHO IS AFRAID OF AISHA ABUBAKAR?

Sokoto state is in the news for a very wrong reason. There is currently a raging debate going on about the eligibility or not of the Ministerial nominee that Mr. President submitted to the senate for confirmation.

One may think that having a loaded CV, over 20 years professional experience and sterling performance in both the private and public sector is enough for Aisha Abubakar to scale whatever hurdle is required to be scaled for this major appointment, however it seems one needs much more than that in this country in order to be considered suitable.

It is very unfortunate that some people who consider themselves as 'leaders' of the people  have taken it upon themselves to ensure that this nominee does not scale through at the senate at all cost for reasons best known to them. These people are so scared that finally someone, a woman for that matter is coming from nowhere to change the status quo.

Aisha Abubakar is a living nightmare to these people, she represents everything they love to hate because she possesses everything they wish to have, which is why they decided to sponsor fake protests and petitions in order to make it look like she is being rejected by her people. They claimed that it is abominable for a woman to lead the people of the Caliphate when it is a known fact that they do more  abominable things.

It is so disheartening to read the statements released by both the so called "Concerned women" of Sokoto and the APC Sokoto chapter that the primary reason they are rejecting Aisha is because she is not known to them, and has never worked or lived in Sokoto state. What these mischievous people are deliberately creating in the minds of the people, is a bias against hardworking and successful people of Sokoto origin who do not reside in the State. In a country where states are still struggling with issues of indigenes and settlers, I think it is rather unfortunate that some people will try to further divide us by bringing this laughable criteria in determining who gets what at the Federal level.

The fight for Change in Nigeria did not happen solely because of APC as a party  or members of the APC alone, rather it was as a result of a collective unity of purpose and hard work of millions of well meaning Nigerians including myself, who  played our role in ensuring that the last non performing government was voted out. It is a well known fact that many hitherto unpopular candidates rode to victory solely on the back of President Buhari.  It is therefore not an excuse, and very selfish of the APC chapter in Sokoto to say that one's participation in politics is more important than competence. These people see political appointment as a compensation, and wish to rubbish the CHANGE we fought for. We did not stand in the hot sun to vote PDP out just so we can continue to do things the old way.

Mr. President has a right to choose whoever he wishes to work with as long as the person is qualified. I therefore urge him to disregard what these retrogressive people are trying to bring up. He does not need the "Concerned women of Sokoto", the Governor or the party chapter to dictate to him. He belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody.    

Long live Nigeria, Long live Sokoto State. Chanji Dole.

AMINU TAMBUWAL: ON YOUR MARK, SET, GO MAKE YOUR MARK

Its two days to May the 29th, activities are in full gear, and the people of Sokoto like all other Nigerians are full of anticipation, eager to see the direction in which you will steer the state. While many are not in doubt about the leadership qualities you possess given the manner in which you held sway as the Speaker of the house of representatives, there are those who have expressed concern that you do not have any previous record of experience and performance that is required to govern a state.

Most of your critics have harped so much about this especially during the recently concluded campaigns. They also never fail to point out that you are an "Abuja politician" who is relatively unknown at the grassroots level, and that the outgoing  governor and astute politician Alu Wamakko is largely responsible for any support you may have got from the people of the state. This has given rise to the palpable fear that you may only be loyal to Wamakko and not the people, or you might be an "elite" governor with low tolerance for kauyawa who will concentrate all his activities in the urban areas.

All these perceptions and more are what you should try to disprove as soon as you get into office. In as much as the challenges of governing a state as old as Sokoto are completely different from what you encountered as a Speaker of the house of reps, you can still tackle them with much focus, hardwork and determination. Be ready to meet resistance from civil servants with narrow perspectives and bad attitude to work.

 You happen to be a very lucky person in the sense that you enjoy enormous goodwill even from people who hardly know you, who also believe that you will perform well as governor.  So Mr. governor, go out there and make your own mark. Chart your own course. Carve your own niche and do not make the mistake of being a governor in the shadows of his predecessor. As much as I think fighting with a predecessor is a waste of valuable time and not in the overall interest of a state, I believe doing things your 'own way' will largely determine how much you succeed. Don't get me wrong, If your predecessor gives a valid advice or idea based on his past experience and you believe in it, by all means take it.

Some of the areas I believe you can give attention to as a governor include:

Education: This is the backbone of every society and one of the most important areas your administration should focus on. Building blocks of classrooms and parading them as achievements while having unqualified and untrained teachers to teach is not a good way of developing education. I would like you to put emphasis on quality. The citizens of the state will be very happy if you can make Sokoto state move from an educationally disadvantaged position to that of top positions in the country before the expiration of your tenure.

Environment: Sokoto state lies in the Sahel region with very high temperatures sometimes up to 46⁰C. It is also among the states in the country that are prone to desertification. From my last visit recently, It was very disappointing to see that most of the trees that were planted many years ago to mitigate the dangers of desertification are being cut down and plots being allocated to people for building purposes. Most of the Trees that line Kano and Kaduna roads are gradually being cut down.  Please do something about this ugly trend. Rather than cut down trees I feel the government of Sokoto state needs to plant more and also encourage people to do so.

Anyone driving  through the city cannot fail to notice the dust and ubiquitous nylon bags that litter the sides of the streets. Please endeavour to clean our city.

Energy: As a state with an abundance of heat, strong winds and sunlight, It still beats my imagination as to why previous governments have not taken the issue of renewable energy seriously. There is a huge potential in that area that you can harness to make the state achieve sustainable energy development.

Youth employment: Sokoto is gradually losing its name as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria largely because of the menace of area boys who harass, intimidate and threaten the peace of law abiding citizens. I would like to see you provide gainful employment for these restless youths and take them off our streets. Many other areas such as Health, Agriculture, and most especially Water resources need your attention.

I believe there is no better time to tackle these problems head on and bring rapid development to the people of Sokoto state than now. With your exposure as a National politician who has friends from all over the country, there is no better person that can propel our dear Sokoto state and give it a National outlook than you. May Allah guide you as you do so. On your marks, set, go!

2015 ELECTIONS: TEN DAYS TO FIND OUT

Well its ten days to the February 14 general elections in Nigeria and a part of me cannot wait to find out how things are going to work out. A lot of people are apprehensive about what is going to happen during and after the elections, which is why everyone is busy moving families from north to south and vice versa, with the rich ones moving  their families abroad all together.

While all these are going on, the politicians on the other hand are busy moving round the country soliciting for support from voters in what promises to be a keenly contested presidential election. You may want to ask why the 2015 presidential election is generating so much heat given the fact that we have the same candidates from the 2011 elections who are familiar with each other. The answer might not be farfetched because even though the candidates are still the same, the realities of four years ago and now have changed significantly to the extent that even the geographic space that Nigeria occupied has been reduced in size.

Considering the amount of bashing the average Nigerian citizen has received over the years in terms of bad governance, and the incredibly resilient manner the people have taken this bashing without asking questions and demanding for what is right, a part of me cannot wait to find out how majority of Nigerians intend to vote in ten days time. Some might argue that the people of Nigeria have not yet had it full, and so have not reached their breaking point. I myself asked the same question in an article I wrote in 2012 titled “What can pierce this thick skin?”.  I am still curious to find out if the people of Nigeria have finally had it full, given the fact that there is no barrier of ‘low’ that the present government has not broken both in terms of security and the monumental corruption ever witnessed.     

Ten days from now, I cannot wait to find out if Nigerians have realized that the power to choose who governs them resides with them and no one else. I cannot wait to find out if as a people we will be objective enough to vote based on performance and not based on religious and ethnic sentiments. In ten days time I cannot wait to find out if Nigerians have easily forgotten all the previous unfulfilled promises, and are ready to give this government a second chance despite that. I cannot wait to find out if the Nigerian youths have forgiven this government for the Immigration employment scam which resulted in the deaths of people and for which no one was punished.

In ten days time, I am so curious to find out if the people of Borno state- who are believed to have a large heart will be magnanimous enough to give this government at least the 25% of votes it requires.  I cannot wait to find out if the Chibok parents will give this government another chance with the hope that they might find their daughters. I cannot wait to find out if Nigerians are okay with all the huge sums of money that are missing under this government and are ready to give them another chance to continue.

Finally I cannot wait to find out whether the people of Nigeria can finally muster the courage to stop non performance in its tracks, to evaluate the whole situation and say NO to the status quo and embrace change. Or will they be scared of change and utter statements like ‘the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know?’ Time will tell – and guess what, that time is just ten days away.

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR YOUTH DELEGATES

Make no mistake about this, you were not invited to the National conference because they care about you or what you are going to say - they don't. Going by your small number among the total of 492 delegates, it is easy to say that you were invited just for show and to make it appear as if you are involved.

In a country where the youth are always regarded as small and treated with disdain, you should expect nothing less. The traditional African society is driven by a culture which always requires the young to defer to the elders all the time and the Nigerian elders are surely taking advantage of such. That is the reason why the elders make sure they suppress the youth whenever they can. They even have a name they call themselves -elder statesmen.  They do not trust us with anything, most especially leadership which is the reason why the few among the youth who are leaders must have a so called godfather in order to succeed.

To be honest, I am one of the people who have doubts about the ongoing conference and whether the outcome will have any positive impact at all, but all the same I think the youth should go for it. My dear youth delegates seize this rare moment, where you will be given a chance to air your views. Your views are rarely taken seriously because in their eyes you are always 'that small boy or girl'.

Let your fellow delegates and the country feel your presence, shock them, dazzle them and let them understand that your constituents are angry that they have no access to jobs, healthcare and quality education. let them know that we are getting impatient and restless and hungry for a change. Make them be aware that they have failed us and do not have anything more to offer.

They claim that we are incompetent to hold responsible positions forgetting that they failed to properly educate and train us. They even say we are lazy, unserious and only care about music and football forgetting that most of us use that to occupy our idleness. Make them aware that they have failed to guide us, mentor us and set good examples for us to follow. Make them aware that they are too crowded at the top and they need to give way, for us to claim our position as the rightful owners of this nation.

In a country where there are more than 60 million youths, ask them why we have 80yr olds as delegates to discuss our future. Make them know that it is our country, our lives and our future which is at stake and nobody else's. Say it loudly, say it boldly, angrily and respectfully that our time is now, and we are tired of being leaders of an elusive tomorrow.  Do not be intimidated by them. All bottlenecks existing in the constitution that hinder the youth from actualizing their potentials need to be dismantled. Tell them that their time has passed, and that they are eating into our own. Their parents trusted them during their time, which is why most of them can boast of holding high positions at a very young age.

Tell the elders in Nigeria that they need to go home and stay, after all it does not make sense for an 80yr old farmer to insist on working in the farm everyday while his young and able bodied sons sleep in the house. Wishing you all the best as you relay this message.