Seven out of the nineteen Northern Governors met in Yola on Thursday, 27th of January, in continuation of their resolve to abandon the traditional Venue and Secretariat of the Northern Governors Forum, which has always been Kaduna. The other 12 Governors were represented by their Deputies and Secretaries to State Governments. In the history of the current Northern Governors Forum, this meeting is one with the least number of representation by substantive Governors, and it is evidence of a deep-seated crisis in the politics of Northern Nigeria.
The Communiqué released by the Governors lamented the divisions created in the North by the last PDP Primaries, and appealed to all politicians and religious leaders to stop using religion or ethnicity in the current dispensation. The Governors also set up a three-man committee to comprehensively articulate the challenges facing the North, and proffer recommendations. The Governors also agreed to convene a special meeting in early February to discuss security challenges facing the North.
The meeting of the Northern Governors, on a day which coincided with a serious outbreak of violence in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, and only two days after the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) condemned the outcome of the PDP Convention which produced President Goodluck Jonathan as flag bearer, is significant in terms of the current political fortunes of the North. It is noteworthy that only seven out of the nineteen Governors attended this meeting, the first they are holding since the PDP Northern Governors substantially aided the victory of President Jonathan at Eagle Square. Many of these Governors went back to their States to face intense outpourings of hostility and resentment although, of course, most of them will defend their positions as being consistent with their responsibilities as Governors and leaders of their Parties and People.
Most of the destructive campaigns being waged in Mosques, Churches and mobile phones through text messages were consequences of the bitter campaigns for PDP Presidential tickets, and its aftermath. Many PDP Northern Governors have been called disparaging names which questioned their commitment to their faith and the core interests of the North, which is most unfortunate. It is not clear how much effort the Governors in the North have put towards engaging the sources of these hate campaigns, and lower the tensions which have gripped the North since the Convention. It is obvious, going by events on the ground, however, that not much has been done by these Governors, perhaps because they are the problem, in the perception of many people, and cannot therefore be the solution. If Northern Governors are serious about tackling the serious threat to security in the region which these hateful sermons in Churches and Mosques pose, they should be more active in engaging the members of their Parties who feel disappointed by their conduct, as well as religious and community leaders who may be contributing to the escalating divisions between Christians and Muslims in the North. Releasing Communiqués at the end of their meetings will not do.
The Governors also need to pay very close attention to the linkages between current political issues and security. Right under their noses, Jos is getting worse by the day. Bauchi state was burning even on the very day they met in Yola. There are daily killings in Maiduguri, and Gombe State is reportedly tense. Many other States in the North will be on the alert following events in Jos and Bauchi. As Chief Security Officers of their States, the Governors are well-placed to move quickly to douse the tension in the region. But they need to realize that their politics is a substantial impediment to building bridges across people, or reaching out to their colleagues in other States and prevailing on them to address major sources of conflict.
The next few weeks will be very difficult for northern leaders, including Governors, in the manner they handle political and security issues. Political campaigns in an environment of intense insecurity and widespread violence will worsen the security situation. There are many flashpoints in the North, and governors are vital in terms of ensuring that these flashpoints do not lead to complete and widespread breakdown of law and order. Statements emanating from the Governors Forum, which has very little value in terms of the current political concerns of the North are not anywhere as effective as Governors assuming direct and effective control over security matters in their States. In fact, given the present low esteem which their Forum enjoys among key stakeholders in the Northern political environment, it may be more useful if the Northern Governors Forum abstains from speaking for or about the North.
The damage being done to the unity and security of the North by its elected and self-appointed leaders is creating a major source of concern to many citizens. Just two days ago, the ACF condemned the outcome of the PDP Convention, without however, having the courage to specifically mention that it was Northern PDP Governors who made President Jonathan’s victory possible. The attempts by the PDP elders under the name of Northern Political Elders Forum to create a consensus around Atiku Abubakar was humiliatingly defeated, largely by northerners themselves in full view of the nation and the world in Eagle Square Abuja. As at today, the disunity in the North is further compounded by having three candidates from the region who will contest against President Jonathan. One of these is a serving Governor.
Under present political circumstances, everyone knows that Governors, especially PDP Governors are powerful people. They are certainly powerful enough to decide who flies their Party’s Presidential Flag, and may even attempt to use their powers of incumbency to get re-elected. But the people who will decide their fate at the polls in April are also powerful. They will, ultimately, have the last say on the actions and dispositions of Northern Governors. But between now and April, every citizen should resist the pressures to become a casualty of the hateful sermons, messages and other provocations which are being engineered by people who want ordinary people to fight and kill themselves for their own ends. At all cost, every Nigerian must work for peace and security, and resist the temptation to turn these forthcoming elections into a religious or tribal war in which no one will be a victor. Under free and fair elections, which are conducted under a peaceful atmosphere leaders who have betrayed the mandates of their people can be thrown out, and others who will be more sensitive to the needs of their people can be voted in. The Northern Governors have made their bed; so they should sleep in it.
No comments:
Post a Comment