By Ogwazu Nnamdi
Aminu Tambuwal
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The power of decision determines the length and breadth of existence only if we believe in not counting days but the impacts on the sands of history. So, when a man takes decision concerning his future I do not rush the ink but look behind the curtain to see if there exist weeds on the journey path.
Indeed, when the news of Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal’s defection hit the airwave from the Green Chamber, to some persons it was unthinkable for a man holding such plum position to have ditched his party while to others, it has been subject of conjecture in the last few months.
But, I feel that anyone who is involved in strategic thinking would have known and seen that what happened at the Green Chamber recently is a journey that picked up in June 2011, and it is expected that any thinking party organ would have prepared ahead of time.
The Sokoto-born legislator cum Speaker has shown through his sojourn where his tent is constructed, and taking into view the existing fault lines in his emergence showed that the Volcanic Ashes were close to the surface, and would possibly be of severe effect to those sitting close-by.
Today, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seems to have come under severe effect of the spewing ash known for its hotness as the eggheads engage in Marathon meetings on how to control the raging effect of Tambuwal’s decision.
To some extent, it is felt that the Speaker is not alone considering the script as revealed recently by the Majority Leader, Hon. Mulikat, in her interview forcing the PDP family to engage in subtle threats by urging the Deputy-Speaker, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha and his co-travellers in PDP to do the needful which by simple analysis is to oust the Speaker. This position as calculated would see the PDP continue with the flow while the opposition parties lick their wounds for not collapsing their structures to PDP since ours remain a winner takes all.
However, Alhaji Tambuwal has never bugged but continues on his journey as the opposition legislators, presently, carry out an unassigned function of human-shield around the Speaker whose foothold in the core-North is never in doubt.
On the other hand, I feel that the PDP hierarchy never listened to the Chinese leader and philosopher when he said, “In times of peace, prepare for war”. The PDP relaxing on the assumed ego of largest party in the black World and commandeered by the Aso-Rock Lord–Mayor forgot that another unseen hand at Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi made Tambuwal by rallying the opposition lawmakers against his people’s interest in the South-West. More so, Alhaji Tambuwal had all the space to build bridges across the Green Chamber like a man on a mission, including siding with the masses when it mattered most like convening the House on a Sunday to deliberate on Petroleum Pump Price adjustment and other activities.
In my calculation, I have always seen Alhaji Tambuwal as President Goodluck Jonathan’s opponent in 2015, and when recently he was turbaned by the Caliphate, I came to a conclusion that the Oracles may have spoken through the Sultan. To a discerning mind, the turbaning serves as a reminder to the events of Biblical Esau and Jacob, and to the PDP octogenarians, a soon to announce takeover by the young politician. Indeed, the young-politician from Sokoto has just announced that he has come of age and very prepared to do the needful as programmed by his mentors.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) mini-convention where the Sokoto-born lawmaker’s entrance was heralded, and trust the Nigeria in us, saw Alhaji Tambuwal jettison yesterday’s umbrella for the broom while illustrating how the umbrella would be swept off the Nigerian political scene come 2015. Obviously, the APC mini-convention is strategic in that it prepares the way for Tambuwal and his likes that may make the quick dash into APC.
Interestingly, some persons have kept on the lines of morality in Tambuwal’s action to the amazement of us on the other line of a new Nigeria. Then, one may have imagined the fanfare that would have followed if Tambuwal were to have moved from APC or any other opposition Party to PDP. This may have included opening a security cordoned airport to receive only his flight as witnessed in the case of ex-Governor Sheriff, or the rousing welcome accorded Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State even when his former Party, Labour, is never in any known crises or division.
It is instructive that the nation’s Police never made effort at interpreting the law leaving the Judiciary in some of these instances. Also, can we comfortably talk on morality outside the opulence as seen among political players, the hiring of private jets at mind-blowing cost, conscripting local government funds, contract splitting, appointment of mediocre into positions of authority and others? I suggest that a sermon on morality must be total while helping our political class see the rafter in our very eyes.
Truthfully, I do not intend to give blanket support to Alhaji Tambuwal over the defection or cross-carpeting as I would wish the growth of other political parties to exist as veritable alternatives but, in this case, I see history being made in my country, Nigeria.
Why history? It is instructive that around the world, the party in majority chairs the legislature going by the simple majority needed in its nomination/ election but, the authors of our constitution never thought of a situation where the Speaker defects especially when it is rather difficult getting necessary two-third majority votes from a political party to oust him. An Igbo adage has it that, it is easy giving a monkey cup but, rather difficult getting same off the monkey’s hand.
Truthfully, Alhaji Tambuwal has taken hold of the speakership of the Green Chamber and I could see greater challenge getting him off the seat as the PDP cannot singly muster the constitutionally prescribed two-third votes. It is also worth knowing that emotions run high in a matter as challenging as this especially in the core-North while doubting the ability of all PDP legislators in supporting motions targeted at ousting the Speaker. What about legislators who may have been crying over the recent PDP Ward Congresses, and may have doubts over their return to the Chamber.
So, I would advise the PDP and President Jonathan never to fall to the distraction but continue with his re-election and stabilizing the party. It is important as the time left is very short to begin a process which the courts may not move at the same speed with the expectations of the party men and women.
Yes! Nigeria’s future beckons.
Nnamdi, a journalist and public commentator writes from Owerri, Imo State. He can be reach at ndogwazu@gmail.com
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