Abubakar Abdulkadir.
It is good to commend the Special Adviser to the President for the courage to speak up and demand accountability from all tiers of government. President Bola Tinubu is not perfect, but it is unfair not to accept the fact that we have three tiers of government, and it is only when they work properly our system of government can succeed. The Federal Government of Nigeria provides most of the finance for the three tiers of government and President Bola Tinubu is able to provide them with huge amount of money for the development of the states and local governments.
What happened to the money given to Katsina state and 34 local governments? In democracy the government belongs to the people and accountability is necessary. We the people of Katsina state deserve to know fully the amount received from 2023 to date and how it was spent in terms of human development and the projects done. It is wrong to blame the federal government for everything. In fact the state governments in Nigeria are the biggest problem, they should equally be held accountable and the Supreme Court ruling on local governments must be respected. It is only when we have respect for our constitution and the rule of law that we can claim to be a democratic and just society.
Everybody knows that in Katsina state there is poverty and there are allegations that few companies and few people benefit from state government contracts and that most of the government contracts are inflated. People believe many of the state government projects and expenditure are not beneficial to the common people. The Katsina state governor should demonstrate leadership and provide explanation on these concerns and allegations with humility not anger because he is serving the people and the truth shall set him free. The Katsina state governor said several times he is following the footsteps of late Malam Umaru Yar’Adua but late Yar’Adua was not afraid of questions or criticism, in fact he accepted constructive criticism.
It is very sad, nonsensical and undemocratic that the Katsina state government supporters consider anyone that asks these questions as enemy. When practicing democracy we have to agree to disagree especially if we have the facts. I personally feel that there is no transparency and the state resources are not properly utilised, and there is no consultation with the common people on their problems and what they want their government to do for them. The state government is biased when dealing with proposals from the private companies and citizens willing to contribute to the development of the state. I have my reasons and evidence and anyone that wants them can contact me.
For over two decades our democracy did not progress as expected. Honestly our political parties have failed us, because the imposition of candidates and corruption in the country remain high regardless of who is in power and there is no sharing of ideas and constructive opposition. The African Democratic Congress is the most undemocratic party I have ever seen. What the party and its presidential candidate are offering is delusive.
The former Vice President needs to clear his name and record as the Chairman of the Privatisation Committee first, because the privatisation exercise was a failure.
The FBI or what the FBI is saying should not be of significance to us. The sitting US President was impeached twice by the House of Representatives but cleared by the Senate and there is the issue of Epstein files. If President Tinubu was convicted let us know, but stating that he was investigated does not make sense because anyone can be investigated. The question is why is the FBI raising the issue now as we head towards election and why is it that this issue was not raised in 2023 before allowing President Bola Tinubu to contest? Nigerians should be careful with the US, we do not have to believe everything unless we fully understand what it means, it can be a trap for Nigeria.
My view and advice is by 2031 Inshaa Allah when Baba Bola Tinubu is retiring please let him retire together with his friends and our fathers that want to become president. Politicians above sixty five years should please allow for generational change, please let them hand over the baton to the younger generation because this is what Nigeria and Africa need now. Our generation if supported by our elders we can fix Nigeria and shape the ECOWAS and African Union to become effective instruments for the continent’s development, unity and security. Nigeria has a unique role to play because of its geography, population and economy. I hope the Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters would pass the message to our President. Thank you.
Abubakar Abdulkadir
