Thursday, January 21, 2016

‘We Must Deal With Corruption Decisively to Succeed As a Country’
By SAMSON EZEA
Nigeria Guardian
January 21, 2016 4:50 am

Photo: Mrs. Angela Anyisi Akukalia, a staunch member of All Progressives Congress (APC) speaks to some journalists on Taraba State governorship election case, President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration and other issues. SAMSON EZEA who was there, reports:

On Buhari’s government

WELL, considering the challenges the Buhari-led government met on ground, there is no doubt that the government is on the right track. It is true that expectations are very high, but the wrongs of 16 years cannot be addressed in less than one year. We need to exercise patience and support Buhari’s administration. The government has a lot of good plans and intentions for Nigerians. The ongoing corruption fight by the Buhari’s government deserves the support of every Nigerian irrespective of political party, religion, tribe or status. Corruption is a cankerworm that we must deal with decisively if we are to make progress as a country.

Obviously President Buhari has shown courageous leadership by the way his government is fighting corruption. If other past governments have tackled corruption the way the present government is going about it now, the menace would have been put to halt by now. Some have ignorantly accused the President of being selective in the fight against graft, but they are very wrong. There is nothing like witch-hunting or selectivity in the fight as everybody can see. One needs to be a witch before he or she could be hunted. If you are not a witch, nobody will hunt for you.

Just like we often say that clear conscience fears no accusation. If those who were accused of benefiting from the arms deal should not be bother if they are sure of themselves. Are you not surprised that none of those accused of collecting money from the office of the former National Security Adviser ever denied their involvement? Rather they are busy crying foul, trying to justify their loot. Well, Nigerians should not be carried away by the emotions and sentiments being whipped up by those who are facing trial over their involvement in the arms deal. We should allow justice to take its course not minding whose ox is gored.

Taraba’s governorship tussle

THE beauty of democracy is the rule of law and periodic elections. Senator Alhassan, no do doubt is a woman of substance, who have paid her dues in public service and politics. She has what it takes to govern Taraba State more than any other person. Having submitted herself to the will of the people by contesting the last Taraba governorship election, she will continue to abide by the judicial process to retrieve her mandate.

She was the one who approached the court to challenge the declaration of Dairus Ishaku of the PDP as the winner of the election. What informed her decision to approach the court in the first place was her conviction and evidence before her that she won the election, but was wrongly denied victory.

Anybody who is familiar with what transpired in the state during the election knew that she won the election, but the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) desperately denied her victory through political subterfuge. We hear that PDP did not conduct proper primary in the first place. The party in real term has no candidate in the election. I am highly optimistic that Senator Alhassan will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court. She is on the verge of making history as the first woman elected governor in Nigeria. The Supreme Court will do justice to her case because she is the voters’ choice.

I heard some people saying how can a woman become a governor in a male-dominated society like ours. Gender is not, and has never been an issue in the choice of leaders all over the world and ours is not an exception. We are in era of change, where things are being done the right way. Today irrespective of gender or tribe, everybody is equal. Expectedly the Supreme Court will do justice to her appeal. It is just a matter of time. Her victory is very important to the people of Taraba and the womenfolk across the country. It will be a good stepping-stone for women in politics.

Senator Alhassan’s comment

I know Alhassan very well. Having worked in the judiciary sector, she will be the last person to make such alleged statement. It is all part of the politics of calling a dog a bad name to hang it. I am not surprised about the unfounded allegation against her. It is the handiwork of her political opponents who are jealous and afraid of her rising political career. More of such mudslinging against her is expected, but such will not deter her from trudging on.

It was the same people that were behind the allegation that she was antagonistic to parents of the missing Chibok girls when they visited Aso Rock recently. But one thing those rumour mongers and political opponents behind these character assassination fail to realise is that such can’t change Alhassan’s political successes.

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