Date Published: 12/18/09

Beyond Umoru Musa Yardua By Okwe Ogah

No doubt Umoru Musa Yaradua is critically ill, probably at the point of no redemption. The ailment has become the only thing that everybody seemed to think, meditate and ponder upon these past 3 weeks with only a passing comment on other equally important aspects of our live.

The ailment has put the nation on a predicament that needs urgent review and critical analysis. The question is how did we get to this pitable state whereby we are encircled with a crippling situation. How do we reach this state whereby the nation is tied to the apron of one man?

How is it possible that a gang of potiliticians who are not up to 10% of population can hold the nation to ransom because the politics at play over Yaradua' sickness  is a sheer hostage situation since there is nothing we do to make sure that things are done properly. They are immuned to public opinion as much as they don't count on our power to decide and chose who should govern us. So they can do with us what suit their fancy and would careless if the country is completely grounded and bankcrupted.

They carry on with air of impunity displaying irretating arrogance that shows our frustration and helplessness.The statements they make rightly expose their total contempt and disdain to public opinion. The most recent one being that made by Prince Kayode the minister for Labour to the effect that the government will go ahead with deregulation even if it make heaven to fall because of it.

what made this hostage taken of the country possible is the constitution handed over to us by Abdulsalam Abubukar. It was a dusted document gathered  from what was put together by Sani Abacha. Its so much defectiveness is understandable because was designed to provide an unfaltered ambience for a dictator to emerge and operate unhindered. This is more so when you remember that prior to the emergence of Abdulsalam Abubakar, Sani Abacha was coasting home to continue with his dictatorship in civilian clothes before divine intervention which came about by his death. Thus the constitution was drafted to facilitate this ordinate ambition.

The spirit of the constitution was not to advance the growth of democracy but that of dictatorship. This is why it is possible for the unimaginable abuse currently going on in governance could continue unabated. The immediate challenge that is a fallout of Yaradua's predicament is the urgent need to amend the consitution.

Hitherto, the most serious section that most of the advocates of constitution amendment have been advocating for is that which deals electoral matters.

Yeah Iam in support of wholesome adoption of Justice Uwais' committee Report of electoral reforms. But more than that we need to give serious attention to the matters that encourage and make the subversion of peoples' will possible in all ramifications some of these namely true federation, removal of immunity clause, state police, resource control, devolution of power between the various tiers of government, etc are issues that have rightly  occupy front burner. Of equal importance is the make up and constitution of Federal Excutive Council (FEC) The section 144 of the constition that requires the FEC to be the one to recommend to the National Assembly to set up a committee to accertain the capability or otherwise of the president to continue is higly faulty. How do you expect the members of FEC who are appointees of the president
can turn round to recommend or orchestrate the president's removal/resignation. At least not in our climes where godfathers are soveriegn and above the law It is akin to pulling the rug off ones' feet. It is hardy impossible for one to cry out someone else to remove honey from ones mouth not even when it is choking is about to kill him.

That explain the combative nature of the FEC members whenever the question or doubt is expressed about Yaradua's inability to perform his presidential duties. The most garrulous of them all being the Attoney General and minister of justice, Mike Anaondakaa. Consequently, it should be amended to allow or insulate the members of FEC to owe their alligence to the nation instead of an individual (in this case, the president) This is where advocates of porportional representation in governance should be supported. If that is the case, the logjam or is it impasse experiencing in governace in Nigeria of today  would since have been solved.

Altenativedly, the above responsibility vested in the FEC should be given to a body made of the  political parties, civil organistions, professional bodies like Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress with one - third of FEC
As presently practised, Umoru Musa Yardua can as well be in the hospital for the remaining part of his term and everything else can be grounded, the current people that oversees the affairs of the nation will never care at least not when they are sure that their god which is their stomach will continually be serviced and sustained.
The Attorney General of the Federation said this much when he said Yaradua can perform his presidential functions sitting, lying down (even if critically ill and unconscious) and by inference from any where in the world.

Another thing that every concerned member of the country should do is to go beyond the current clamour to bombard the gates of heaven on behalf Yaradua. We should seize the initiative by insisting that the v

okwe ogah