Date Published: 05/29/09
CAN PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA EMULATE PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD?
By Barrister Rafindadi Muhammad
Reading through ‘the life of Iranian President’ in an Abuja favourite weekly newspaper titled Peoples Daily of May 25-31, 2009, one has no alternative but to commend the simplistic, patriotic and nationalistic life style of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and to at the same time strongly recommend its wholesale adoption by the Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
Like Ahmadinejad said in an interview with The FoxNews TV in the USA, he sees his position of the country’s President as ‘a heavy responsibility which is to serve the Iranian nation’. I have no doubt in my mind that since his election, Ahmadinejad has not fallen short of this expectation in the estimation of an average Iranian and most watchers of the Iranian politics. He has over time discharged his responsibilities with utmost conviction and commitment despite the distractions from the so-called world powers, especially on the country’s nuclear programme.
It is my hope and that of all well-meaning Nigerians that President Yar’adua will take a cue from the nationalistic leadership qualities of the Iranian President with a view to improving the lives of all Nigerians who he is claiming to lead at the highest level. President Yar’adua must as a matter of duty in line with his oath of office serve Nigerians and Nigeria’s interests and nothing more. Leadership must be seeing to be service to the people and not to selfish personal or corporate interests.
Other important foot prints and leadership-by-example of Ahmadinejad that Yar’adua should imbibe and emulate include a document Ahmadinejad and his ministers sign on coming to office which make it mandatory for them, their relatives and families bank accounts are monitored and watched closely by the state as it is unlawful for him, relatives or families to take advantage of their office and amass wealth fraudulently as is the case among Nigerian political office holders today As at today Ahmadinejad owns only one car, a 1977 Peugeot 504 model , an old small house he inherited from his father 40 years ago which is located in Teheran’s poorest zones. His bank account is nothing to write home about. His balance reads only US$ 250 which was from his salary as a university lecturer before coming into office. Today, he does not take any salaries home because as he puts it ‘all wealth belongs to the nation and I have to safe guard over it’.
One would ask is this not the kind of life style of a leader his followers will naturally want to copy. If the story making the rounds in public places in all parts of the country about the powers of the President’s wife, Turai is anything to be believed, then President Yarada must be told point blank that he needs to act in tandem with the widely touted picture of him being transparent, prudent and incorruptible. The President must be seing –directly or indirectly, to be above board if his war against corruption is to be taken seriously by Nigerians and non Nigerians.
As President of one of the most economically viable, powerful and populous nation in the Middle East, Ahmadinejad runs a low profile peoples-centred government devoid of ceremonies and wastages of public funds. Ministers see him at work without any prior appointments on state matters. He decried red carpet receptions, photo sessions or personal advertisements for him while visiting any part of the country. He abhors flamboyance and shuns taking presidential suites while in hotels. In actual fact, Ahmadinejad does not sleep on the bed. Rather, he sleeps on the floor, on a simple mattress and an ordinary blanket in the guest room of his personal inherited house. Ahmadinejad’s exemplary life does not end there. At prayers, Ahmadinejad does not seat in the front row as President. He prays in the midst of his fellow country men. His meals, personally prepared by his wife, are as ordinary as any ordinary Iranian Shiite can afford. He personally carries the bag with his food every morning from his home to the office. During his trips, he flies with ordinary airlines and in the economy class and not in presidential aircraft.
No matter what religious or political beliefs you hold you must come to terms with the reality that Ahmadinejad is a leader true to type.
Those who have the courage and the listening ears of Yar’adua must be bold, patriotic and nationalistic enough to draw his attention to world leaders like Ahmadinejad. We must do all we can to inspire Yar’adua to replicate the true virtues of leadership as exhibited day and night, openly and in privacy by Ahmadinejad. Only then can this country move forward. His serious contempt for the rule of law, fighting corruption and reforming our electoral process will not do him or Nigerians any good.
There is no short cut to being exemplary, honest, truthful and patriotic. Leaders must be seeing to be models to the led. They cannot preach one thing and be doing the opposites.
A word, they say is enough for the wise.
Barrister Rafindadi Muhammad
( rafindadimohd@yahoo.com )
20 Daura Street
Katsina
