Date Published: 07/10/09
POWER SHARING: THE SAD STORY OF KATSINA
BY ABDULLAHI USMAN, KATSINA
“A nation can survive unbelief but cannot survive injustice.”Shehu Danfodiyo.
The story of Katsina state and the inherent contradiction in the
state’s power play, especially among its elites presented a picture of
injustice, segregation and outright move to annihilate a people. Most
people are not conversant with the power-sharing injustices in the state
under President Yar’adua’s and by extension his two year stewardship
at the national level. We shall discuss this in detail later in our
write-up.
Nigeria since independence has witnessed a lot of hues and cries,
especially as it relates to power sharing and appointments at the
national, state and local governments level. The suspicion raised by
various components that make-up the Nigerian state compelled the
introduction of quota system, federal character and power sharing
formular.
The introduction of all these concepts were meant to ensure equitable and
just sharing of power and appointments. This in essence is to ensure that
no component feel dominated by its counterpart. And this is not only at
the national level but also at the state and local governments levels.
In our recent history, there is no where in Nigeria where one can clearly
see glaring injustice, outright and wicked move to annihilate a people
like in Katsina state. In Katsina state all manner of morality and the
principle of equity and justice were thrown to the dogs. In Katsina all
political and public appointments are a one sided affair.
Similarly, we are not unmindful of a so-called working document crafted
by the President and his men to have a 25 years power grip on Katsina
state. This assumption based on their thinking is that during this period
only their chosen puppets from Katsina central will rule the state, where
they would be teleguided into executing projects only in Katsina central
and political and public service appointments only made from the zone.
We decided to speak out now to let Nigerians know the kind of President
they have. This will also vindicate us in case Nigerians found out later
that their President is a harbinger of nepotism, favoritism and
injustice.
Our view is not mere playing to the gallery, we have facts, hard facts to
support our position. In Katsina we have 3 senatorial zones, Katsina
central, Daura and Funtua Zones. By implication and sound moral judgments
all appointments ought to have been shared between them. But to President
Yar’adua who believed that he is the ultimate, it is not supposed to be
so.
Katsina Central that constitutes only one component of all the three
components, have cornered all appointments in both the state and the
national level. We have it on record that the President, Alhaji Umaru
Musa Yar’adua, the State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Minister
of Agric, Alhaji Abba Sayyadi Ruma, the Chief Economic Adviser, Dr.
Tanimu Kurfi, the Executive Secretary PTDF, Engineer Muttaqa Rabe Darma,
the Managing Director, Nigeria Inland Water Ways, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu,
Secretary in-charge of Agric FCT, Alhaji Mustapha Bala Batsari, SSG
Katsina state, Alhaji Ibrahim Sayyadi just to mention a few were all from
Katsina central.
There is no where in Nigeria where you will see this glaring injustice
and display of nepotism. All contractors from Katsina state both at the
state and national levels were from Katsina central. The other parts were
merely on-lookers in the state. Even local government contracts were the
exclusive reserves of these Katsina central contractors.
Another evil plot by President Yar’adua and his so-called elite group
is to ensure that all elected representatives from the two zones were
people that have no capacity to challenge them or fight for the interest
of their zones.
Considering these seeming injustices, what we are arguing is that since
the President is not interested in our been part of his Katsina there are
peaceful ways to strike a balance. We have for over two decade demanding
for a state of our own, we therefore pray that we should be given our
state. They should remember that there is a saying that “those who
makes peaceful change impossible makes violent change inevitable.” All
we are saying they should allow us to go peacefully.
We are similarly calling on the people of goodwill and relevant agencies
to come to our rescue. We are a people that deserve a decent life of
justice and equity.
_______________ END _______________
BY ABDULLAHI USMAN
NO 23 BAYAJIDDA ROAD,KATSINA.
