By Abdullah Abdulganiy
Apart from the elitist google-eyed appearance, President Muhammadu
Buhari and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq seem to have many other
features and traits in common — political, physical and sundry
others. As an avid follower of the political trajectories of both
political juggernauts, I venture to argue that Governor Abdulrahman
Abdulrazaq might — please note the use of might here — have to
suffer the same fate as PMB: the fate of shrinking support base.
Though doing his best, AA is not really hitting the nail on the head
in policies and decisions. It would be better if he (AA) could rise to
the occasion and outdo PMB’s style of governance whom he shares common
characteristics with. Though not all bad, PMB’s style of governance
appears to be incongrous with the expectations of average Nigerians.
This explains why he lost the support of some of his fans as time went
on.
Now, the nexus: PMB, as popularly known, used to be a serial
contestant for the seat of presidency in Nigeria. He has been vying
for the position since 2003 until providence smiled at him in 2015. On
the other hand, AA, I understand, was also a regular contestant in
Kwara’s political terrain. In 2019 however, he was able to break the
jinx of being a serial loser when he won the gubernatorial election in
what was described as a landslide victory. From this, it could be
deduced that both PMB and AA are brothers in serial contestation.
Fast forward to the political configuration that gave both PMB and AA
the chance to pose as the standard-bearers of their party, the All
Progressive Congress. It appears that the political configuration was
a complex, heterogeneous one, which enormously contributed to the
political ordeal of both top politicos. Prominent members of different
parties (CPC, PDP, ACN, APGA and so on) came together to form the APC
which ushered PMB in. It was therefore such a huge political
configuration. Same thing applies to AA. Members of different parties
and top politicians in Kwara State, who are opposed to the then ruling
Saraki dynasty, came together as a force to back the candidacy of AA.
Though both PMB and AA enjoyed wide acceptance across the nooks and
crannies of the society each operated in prior to election, it
appeared that this huge, complex political configuration and massive
support from masses would later be their albatross. With looming high
expectations, a sizeable amount of people could not contain their
eagerness. On the other hand, things fell apart when it came to
sharing of the ‘political cake’ after victory among politicians that
worked for the victory of the party. Dissatisfied, many pointed
accusatory fingers at PMB for being selfish, insensitive and an
ingrate. AA also suffered the same fate. He has been accused of not
carrying some members of the party along in his appointments and
decisions.
Away from political life, PMB was alleged to have not sat for WAEC. So
serious is the issue that the president still finds it difficult to
convince people on his position. AA was also accosted with the same
accusation. In the heat of these accusations however, majority of the
people were uninterested. They resolved to vote for both politicians
even if they were presenting NEPA bill as certificate. And ultimately,
the masses did as the outcome of the elections showed.
Call them baba go-slows, and you may not be wrong. Brand them as
too-old for office or not-educated enough, the ball is in your court.
I wouldn’t know the intent of the rumour-mongers, PMB and AA have also
been severally accused of planning to marry their appointees. PMB,
they said, appointed Hajiya Sadiyah Umar Farouk because he intends to
marry her. The president would later react to the issue, calling it a
figment of imagination. On the extreme hand, AA, yet to say anything
as characteristic of him, was also alleged to have appointed his
‘wife-to-be’, Ms Aisha Ahman-Pategi as a commissioner-designate. Can
we therefore say that both PMB and AA are also brothers in the other
room matters?
PMB and AA are also notable for their slow (if not sluggish)
decision-making process. This is evident in the cabinet formation of
both. To this day, Abdulrazaq is yet to put up about 60 per cent of
his cabinet. His commissioner-nominees are yet to know their various
portfolios. You need not be a fortune-teller to understand that this
development would have consequences on the state’s economy and social
formation.
SAs are yet to be appointed. Important policies and orders are yet to
be implemented to tackle the innumerable problems bedeviling Kwara
State. The government might have to bear the brunt of all these when
they fire back. People’s expectations are very high. All they want is
for Kwara to transform to London in a day, forgetting that Rome was
not built in a day. But at that, the government is yet to display the
needed expertise in making Kwara the el-Dorado.
After much on-the-spot assessment by the governor, I expect that a
list of bad roads, unorganised schools, deteriorated hospitals would
have been gathered and slated for overhaul in what will appear like a
schedule which will be public knowledge. This is how to run an
inclusive government!
Most of our students in various public schools still remain the
‘olodos’ that they were. No policies so far to correct such impression
on the part of the govrernment. Transparency is still a subject of
debate in this government. If not, the story of secret appointment
wouldn’t have flown. But because the government is slyish, not ready
to listen to genuine advise on transperency which makes the asset of
the governor and other principal officers one of the best kept
secrets; FOI bill unattended to, ridiculous stories bothering on the
transperency and accountability of the administration continue to make
the rounds.
Amid all these, the governor, let’s face it, is also at war with some
disgruntled members of his party. So, how he tends to maintain his
public support should be a source of concern. Does he muster the kind
of occultic and fanatic support the Daura man has? Evidently NO.
If some disgruntled partymen eventually back off from him, his only
saving grace would be the masses. But if the governor is also not
meeting the expectations of the masses who form a formidable bloc that
ushered him in office, where would he therefore run to for support? In
the end, I hope the governor manages the looming shrinking in his
support base very well.
People are becoming tired of his sluggish style. He needs to be more
proactive. Our commissioners should get their portfolios. SAs and
other required public officials should be constituted. A widely
publicized masterplan should be drawn. Policies and legislations
should be enacted and enforced. The judiciary should come to life.
These are the tendencies that should be displayed by a serious
government, much less a nascent one.
Though it may appear difficult for the governor to maintain his former
support base considering the complex political configuration that
ushered him in and the high expectations of ordinary Kwarans, he could
still manage to avoid the total collapse of his support base following
these steps that would endear him to a huge chunk of ordinary Kwarans.
I rest!
