Adamawa 2014: czar comes to judgement

Sometimes I have had cause reflecting on what our World would have been without a mirror in front of us. To a group of teachers matching during a World Teachers Day Commemoration, a mirror represents their individual and collective desire to shine into a new generation. To the Priestly class, a mirror represents the resolve to lively worthily of their calling and in effect influence the society for good and to the Medics, a mirror depicts seeing themselves in the body/life of the sick and dying person.

The mirror continues to depict different things as its place in our political space would reveal the intentions of the gladiators. Though, some persons may argue or crack jokes of it’s being stolen in the political space making rooms for different actions seen among the Political actors and which continues to consume space in Political discourse.

Today, a new chapter has been opened for Adamawa State populace with the October 11,2014 governorship election date occasioned by the shoving aside of Rear Admirial Murtala Nyako Rtd from the Government House and creating opportunities for Political actors and non-actors who may have least expected a booming market now.

Obviously, my interest may have risen due to the entrance of anti- corruption Czar in the race to become governor of Adamawa State. Quite instructive that the czar, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was previously on the side of the fallen Naval Chief as the impeachment lasted and now ,have caved in to the sweet coated mouth of Politicians by jumping ship to earn waiver from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). So, if the award winning anti- corruption crusader begins to speak in tongues as to the ills of ex-Governor Nyako, none should question same as he is now baptized in the pool of PDP with the former things pertaining to All Progressives congress washed away like our sins. It is possible that our revered Mallam Ribadu may not have wished taking over from Nyako but was informed of his acceptance rate by Politicians who would not want to objectively look at situation but for business reasons go about moving people from their comfort into Political voyages that may at the end benefit the few practitioners with loads of cash to keep living over valued lives. I say this because I witnessed similar discussion among some Political egg-heads where phone calls and visits were being mounted on some persons considered financially buoyant to join certain Political contest as opinion survey tends to favour him, and soon after they commissioned those that would be pushing calls and Press releases in an organized deal to make private money and possibly dump the aspirants.

Mallam Ribadu as a citizen has every right to contest for the position of governor or other elective positions, and change Political party. He does not need consent of any of us to do that but, the question would be on the likely reactions of Ribadu if another were to do it vis-a vis his new Nigeria construct. He may have assumed such trans-Atlantic shuttle as barbaric while calling for a uniting of forces within assumed Progressives but deploring skills to woo the younger generation whose interest they (assumed Progressives) had always boasted working for.

Secondly, I am already with my sears garb wondering how our anti-Corruption would woo delegates across Adamawa especially persons who have always been fed fat during Political Primaries. Where would our anti-Corruption czar get these funds to massage the dried arms of party delegates? Would our hero, Ribadu, stick his neck out on running within the constitutionally approved limit of electoral spending? Would he close his eyes while some money bags and Politicians do it on his behalf? Would Ribadu accept eye popping donations made to his campaign without reporting same to constituted authorities as he once demanded from us? What about inducement of electorates with bags of salts, rice, milk, kerosene and other materials? Would our internationally acclaimed corruption fighter let us into movement of Ghana Must go in our desired fight over corruption.

As I write my hearts shakes on what my friend and true-Nigeria has brought himself into, and wondering how he would view activities of some touts whose lives are there for the Politicians to use. The thugs have their Master’s ears and can unleash mayhem just to satisfy the Master‘s Political estates. How would Mallam Ribadu view undue Militarilization of democratic elections? What about possible handshake across some workers of the electoral umpire prior to ballot casting or if done by another person acting as proxy?

Indeed, Adamawa in the coming days and months would be interesting and for me the best place to stand would be on the Adamawa highlands in a bid to have clearer view of the happenings.

Till then.

OGWAZU NNAMDI