DATI'S LUDICROUS EUREKA ON DEMISE OF DEMOCRACY IN PLATEAU.

By Shabul Mazadu

The piece written by Yakubu Dati on return of Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, titled "Plateau's Moment As Mutfwang Joins APC" is nothing but depiction of sycophancy and celebration of democracy demise in the state for political selfish advantage.

In his euphoria and eureka chant of joy over Mutfwang's defection, Dati stylishly attacked and discredited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and confirmed the speculation that they (himself, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase and others of their clique) were losing steam in the political arena and Nicodemusly persuaded Mutfwang to join the APC. He said, "The good thing is that with the alignment, the cooperation of notable party leaders in the state like  Hon Idris Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly will be secured to give APC  the needed push to navigate the political landmines." His statement showed that Wase was not secured to give APC the needed push to navigate landmines (sic), but the coming of Mutfwang and his cooperation does it. It is clear they were the forces behind Mutfwang's return and not for the progress of Plateau or anybody but for Wase, their host, to be relevant to navigate landmines; but what or who are the landmines? Knowing the person of Dati, the landmines are questionable and could never be obstacles in the progress of Plateau. 

Dati's statement that Mutfwang's alignment with the ruling party at the federal level will unlock  greater access to resources, accelerate development projects, and fosters national policy influence is a direct attack on Mr. President; because the President never favours states on resource distribution, talk more on political parties discrimination. He never denied any state acceleration to development and fostering of national policies. If the President had, he wouldn't have conferred Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf with Nigeria's Excellence Award in Public Service." Kabir is not an APC member but New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP. 

Zamfara State Governor emerged the best in North-West Region in Primary Healthcare leadership Challenge recently. The Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and not APC. Abia state Governor, Alex Otti, is doing remarkably well, and he is in Labour Party. We never hard governors of other political parties complaining that the president sidelines them in federal allocation and privileges, rather he was the one that called on the citizens to hold their governors accountable for not delivering the dividends of democracy. In fact, the wife of the president visits states evenly and carry out her charitable works. 

Tinubu never toed the path of Second Republic presidency where states were favoured on the basis of aligning with the national party. Dati just stylishly accused Tinubu falsely. 

The issue of fostering development in Plateau as Mutfwang joins the APC is another false accusation of the President denying governors accelerated development unless they join his party. There are non-APC states whose governors are by far ahead of Plateau's in development such as; Kano (NNPP), Zamfara(PDP) and Abia (LP). The governors of these states are first timers like Mutfwang. Tinubu never witch-hunted any governor from other political parties working hard for their states. He never frustrated Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri both of the PDP. All the aforementioned governors did well for their states without joining the APC. Where did Dati get his concept that Mutfwang will do well for Plateau in terms of development by joining the APC? 

Dati has been an opportunist who wants to remain in government forever, without making impact on the citizens. He is the kind Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe described as someone who regard politics as synonym of ambition animated by unbriddled quest for leadership. And also a superstitious person who believes power is means to ends instead of protecting and promoting the welfare of the citizens. He is so sycophantic that he cannot tell those in power their flaws in fear of losing his meal ticket. 

All democrats know that Mutfwang's exit from the PDP to the APC is democracy assassination, because there will be no strong, virile and viable opposition. And without strong opposition, there will be tyranny in government.  Then President, Muhammadu Buhari said, "Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible." Ayuba Burki said in his letter of resignation from the PDP to the APC on 31st December, 2018, "The performance of a government is to a large extent determined by the quality of opposition available to provide constructive criticism." Bode George PDP Chieftain said, "I am in opposition, so we must keep them on their toes for the good of our nation.

"There is no opposition, they will take this country on a journey ride but when they do things, they will consider all options because of the opposition." 

Someone said, "Democracy without a rigorous and robust opposition is like a ship without sails." 

Opposition is not disunity amongst the citizens in any way, but checks and balances and challenges on incumbents for excellent performance if done judiciously and constructively. No leader should take offence when constructively criticised or categorised it as hatred.  Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said, "By all means let us be tolerant of the criticisms of our action executed in the course of our duties and responsibilities. Democracy exacts from its votaries the privileged to be an open target for public assault." 

It is a fact in democracy that the majority will always have its way, and the minority its say. Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, "It is the duty of the government resolutely to govern the people under its jurisdiction according to its light and judgment. On the other hand, it is the duty of opposition to express its views candidly in opposition to any government measure which in its view is not in the best of the people " Then President Buhari said, "Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism." Babatunde Raji Fashola former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works said, "We have the right to disagree with government, to call our governors, ministers, presidents and all who occupy our public offices and we do not lose our liberties or lives for the sake of doing that."

Who will check the ruling APC under Mutfwang in the state? Is it the current House of Assembly members? Who has the guts amongst them to do that? Is it the APC that will do that? Or is it the compromised media in Plateau? 

Democracy is already dead in Plateau and people like Dati are celebrating because of opportunism. He thinks he has found an ally in Mutfwang that will fight against their perceived opponents in the APC and grant them and his clique upper hand, recognition and other privileges. Mutfwang's fatal and colossal underperformance means nothing to Dati, but his elevation to political relevance is all that matters to him. Plateau can be without democracy, but so long as his belly is full and cruises in affluence he is okay. Can Dati point out the mega projects executed by Mutfwang that warrants celebration of his defection to the APC? He cannot. He is just being sycophantic and selfish. 

Democracy is not about winning elections, but the process and enthronement of good governance by securing lives and properties, job creation, sound medical facilities and all that tailors towards protection and promotion of socio-economic well-being of the citizens. It prescribes minimum standards and provides equal opportunities in education and so on irrespective of political party affiliation.